There’s a lot to think about when you really get down to choosing a car. The first thing you should check out is the car’s safety. 

How Can You Select a Car that is Safe?

To find the answers, ask these questions:

• Does the car have airbags?

In head on crashes, most fatalities occur, when the driver hits the steering wheel and suffers chest injuries. Air bags help prevent such injuries. Passenger side airbags help protect front seat occupants.

• What is the death rate per 10,000 registered models of the car?

If the death rate of a particular model is more than 2 per 10,000 registered cars, think twice before buying.

• How does the car hold up in a crash test?

Crash test data is available from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

• Does the car have anti-lock brakes (ABS)?

Cars with anti-lock brakes can stop in a shorter distance on slick surfaces than cars without these brakes. The main advantage of anti lock brakes is that they let you steer even if you panic and slam down on the brakes.

• What is the size of the car?

Most recent studies show death rates in the smallest cars to be more than twice as high as in the largest cars. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety analyzes the safety records of most automobiles sold in the United States. The institute examines two kinds of data:

• The death rate was based on 10,000 registered cars of one manufacturer and model.   

Vehicle death rates range from 0.5 to 4 deaths per 10,000 registered vehicles, the higher the death rate, the less safe the car.

• The death rate in single vehicle crashes compared to multi vehicle crashes.

If more that 50 percent of the deaths occurred in single vehicle crashes, the particular car model may encourage unsafe driving.

How Can You Check a Car’s Comfort Features?

You will spend a lot of time in your car, so check to be sure that it’s comfortable for you. Ask to take the car for a test drive. 

How Can You Determine Whether a Car is Fuel Efficient?

Fuel consumption is an important consideration when choosing a car. An energy efficient car can save you money, reduce pollution, and help conserve this plant’s energy resources.

Fuel consumption depends on a car’s weight, type of engine, design, and type of transmission.

• The Weight of the Car

The less weight an engine pulls, the more efficiently it works. This saves fuel. The heavier the car, the safer it is. 

• The Type of Engine

The more cylinders in the engine the more fuel it uses. 

• The Design of the Car

One key to fuel economy is how well the vehicle overcomes air resistance.  A streamlined car has less air resistance than a car with a boxy design. 

• The Type of Transmission

When used correctly, a manual transmission consumes less fuel than an automatic one. A manual transmission car is less expensive to buy. An automatic is easier to use and learn to drive than a manual one and one has more control as well. 

• The Power Train

The powertrain powers the wheels that move the car. The number of times that the drive shaft revolves to make the wheels turn once is known as the axle gear ratio. The higher the axle gear ratio, the greater the fuel consumption. 

• Power Equipment

Power equipment and accessories add extra weight to a vehicle which leads to higher fuel use. When choosing a car, you need to evaluate whether ease of operation is worth extra fuel cost to you.

• Extra Equipment

Features such as air conditioning increase fuel use. You can choose features that use extra fuel or make choices that will save fuel. It’s your decision.

You can buy a used car from a private owner

What Should You Know About Buying a Used Car?

Many consumers decide to buy a used car for economic reasons. Consider many of the same factors when buying a used car that you would when buying a new one. You can buy a used car from a private owner or a used car dealer. Buying from the owner can cost less, but you will not get a warranty, which is a written guarantee that the seller will repair the car if something goes wrong within a given amount of time where dealers on the other hand offer warranties. 

The Blue Book is a good guide to the average price paid to dealers for different makes and models of used cars depending on the condition of the car and its mileage. 

Before buying a used car, test drive it. Having diagnostic tests performed on the car you choose before you buy it may be more economical in the long run.