Luxury cars are nice, but that luxury comes at a steep price. Consider, for instance, if a fancy Lexus is worth the cost – or if the very similar Toyota (made by the same company and offered with many of the same options) will suffice. Similarly, consider if a gas-guzzling SUV is really necessary, or if your family and belongings will fit in a more efficient and cost-effective sedan. And think carefully about car “extras” like power windows & power locks. Although these might be nice items to have, they add both to the price of the car and to the maintenance costs, since electronic features can fail and can be expensive to fix. Make a realistic list of options you truly need and stick to that list when at the dealership. It’s easy to get caught up in adding features and special options, but all those extras quickly increase the price of the vehicle. The “Cars” section at About.com includes an excellent self-test to help narrow down the features and options that best match your needs.
A LOZO expert posted this tip. |