http://www.letacars.com/index.htm | Choosing the right car can be quite a chore. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing that ride you want to invest in.

1. How to Choose the Perfect Car for You
Is it time for a new car -- or perhaps your first-ever car? Choosing a car is exciting, but
you need to know a few things in order to navigate the excitement and invest in a vehicle
that will serve you over the long term. For most consumers shopping at St. Louis car
dealerships, their car is the most valuable item they own aside from their homes, so make
your money count!
Work the Numbers First
If you can't afford the car, you won't enjoy the car. You can't possibly have fun driving
something that eats up your grocery money and keeps you from going out and having
fun. As a general rule, your vehicle payments should be 20 percent or less of your take
home pay. If you have student loans, credit card bills, or other outstanding debts, you
might shoot for even lower payments. Don't forget to calculate your ability to afford all
the costs of ownership, including the insurance premiums, fuel costs, and vehicle
maintenance.
New Versus Used Cars
Millionaire and expert financial advisor Dave Ramsey can afford any vehicle on Earth,
yet he still opts to buy used cars. Why? Because buying new is a waste of money! New
cars lose 70 percent of their value within the first four years of ownership. In other words,
as soon as you drive it off the lot, you've lost hundreds or thousands of dollars and gotten
virtually nothing for the expense. Look for well-maintained pre-owned or used vehicles
that won't drop like a rock in value as soon as you drive it home.
What Features Do You Need?
Now that you know what you can afford, make a list of what you need, as well as some
of the things you want. Consider the transmission -- even if you can drive a stick, are you
going to be happy shifting gears in traffic every day? Do you really need 4-wheel drive?
How much cargo space do you need for your lifestyle? Do you need enough towing
capacity to haul motorcycles or a boat trailer? Also consider the safety features that are
important to you, especially if you have children or plan to. When looking at vehicles,
make sure to select one that will be easy to park where you live, work, and shop.
Look at Similar Vehicles before Deciding
It's best to decide on a class of vehicles, and then select a make and model from there.
Outdoor lovers might enjoy an SUV or crossover that can handle some offroading and
have plenty of cargo space for tents and gear. Daily commuters can benefit from
economy cars that get excellent gas mileage. Families enjoy four-door sedans, which are
great if you have kids, groceries, and a family dog to transport. If you have the dough,
consider that sleek sports car you've always wanted! Then compare cars within that class

2. side-by-side with your price range and see what each offers in terms of features, options,
and perks.
How to Make Your Test Drive Matter
When you choose your vehicle class, test drive a few of the more attractive choices in
that class available at St. Louis car dealerships. During a test drive, you want to simulate
as many real world driving conditions as possible. For example, a test drive at dusk lets
you see how the car feels during daylight and at nighttime. Drive on both the interstate or
highway and those stop-and-go side roads to see how the vehicle handles each. If
possible, also test the windshield wipers and fog lights. Test the seat recliners, check out
the trunk, and see if the controls are easy for you to use. Don't forget to make sure the
radio and speakers are in good condition.
After the test drives, it is important to think about your options. This gives your mind
time to process all your options and come to the best possible solution for your situation.
However, if you do find the right vehicle with the right terms, it is important to act on it
quickly. The fact is the same vehicle may not come up again. Used cars can vary
dramatically, and the task of car shopping can be daunting and time consuming. Deciding
quickly can sometime yield better results than over analyzing the options.