Choosing a new car is a huge decision, and this decision
often becomes extremely difficult as you try to balance all
the options and prices. Cars vary widely between makes and
models, and often the shopper who isn't quite car savvy
feels overwhelmed by the possibilities. I had the same
problem. I was in this horrible car accident, and suddenly
and totally unexpectedly, I was searching for a new car. I
quickly learned my priorities in a car: safety, mileage,
and durability.

The top priority when purchasing a new car is safety.
Because I had just been in a horrible accident, (from which
all parties emerged relatively well), I was quite
interested in the safety options available in the cars I
shopped. The one I chose had ceiling and side airbags in
addition to the standard front.  When a car is hit from the
side, the front airbag doesn't help at all.  Another good
airbag feature is the ability to turn off the passenger
front airbags when older children and smaller people need
to sit in the front seat.

Skid control is an additional safety feature. It's a
computerized option that basically takes control of the
car's brakes should it begin hydroplaning.  Skid control
will keep the car going forward, rather than sliding into a
tailspin.  I met this concept with skepticism until I
experienced it working.  I felt the computer take over the
car when I started sliding.  It was really a comfort!

The miles per gallon the car will get is important to
note, especially with rising gas prices.  If you're
interested in a car that gets only 15 or 20 miles to the
gallon, you are looking at a serious cost in gas per year.
Cars that get better mileage, 30 per gallon or more, will
save you money and time at the pump. Think about how much
gas you'll use just going to and from work, especially if
you live in an urban area like Atlanta or LA and spend a
lot of time sitting in traffic.

Finally, durability is an important option to consider
when purchasing a car. There are some cars that have lasted
their owners over 200,000 miles! Now, don't we all want a
car like that?! One way to find out this type of
information is to talk to people you know and search
automobile web sites to see which cars are lasting the
longest. You can also purchase a car with leather seats,
which although it's higher priced in the beginning, it's
easy to care for and lasts forever. Durability comes in
many forms so be sure to check out all aspects of your
potential car to decide if it can stand up to your needs
and standards.

I recommend that you look online before you go out test
driving cars.  It will save you a lot of time and hassle if
you arrive at the dealer's with a very good idea of what
you're interested in and what you can reasonably expect to
pay. Many web sites will actually give you an opportunity
to create a car with all your desired features.  Everything
you need to know about your potential car is online,
allowing you to narrow your focus from the comfort of home.
Then, go to the lots, look at the specific vehicles that
interest you, and take your dream car for a spin!

Nick Ribisi is a contributing author to <a
href="http://ftcars.com">News about Cars</a> the leading
resource for cars information. Visit Nick's archive of
articles at http://www.ftcars.com/

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