Let’s face it, deciding what car to buy can often be something of a challenge and there are a whole host of factors that will end up influencing what you choose. Everything from your budget to how much space you need is going to have an impact on the decision that you make. But there’s one thing that even the most thoughtful person can often forget when it comes to buying their car: the kind of driving that you want to do will have a huge impact on the kind of car that you should buy. Everyone’s needs are different, and everyone wants something different from their car. Car manufacturers know this and take significant steps in order to make sure that there is a right car out there for every single person’s individual needs. With that in mind, here are the perfect types of cars no matter what kind of driving you’re planning on doing.
Off-road
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Let’s say you’re the type who simply can’t resist the call of the open road, and even more so, the desire to get off the road entirely! Off-roading isn’t for everyone, and it certainly isn’t for every car. You need to make sure that you’ve got a car that can really handle the rough terrain. A Jeep is the best options for this, but there’s also something like a small SUV that can handle off-road driving pretty well. These cars can stand up to a lot of punishment, which is great because if they couldn’t then the cost of servicing would almost certainly go through the roof! Sure, this isn’t exactly going to be much of a concern for a lot of drivers but if you are going to do a lot of off-road driving, you need to be sure that you’ve got a vehicle that can handle it.
The school run
Ah, the school run. It’s the kind of thing that drivers, both parents and otherwise, tend to dread. After all, if you’re not a parent then you’re going to end up getting stuck in the middle of school traffic. And if you are a parent then you get to spend the morning wrangling the kids, piling them into the car and getting them to school at one of the busiest times of day. If you really want to make life easier for yourself, you’re going to want a car that’s comfortable to spend time in and has enough features to keep you and the kids of losing your minds. This means that things like air-con is essential for the days when the weather isn’t on your side. You might also want to think about things like screens on the backseat so that the kids can be entertained in the event that you end up stuck in horrible traffic. It’s also a good idea to find something with plenty of space but that isn’t too large, since you’re often going to find yourself squeezing into tight spaces between other parents dropping their kids off at the school gates as well.
Long commutes
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If you’re spending long stretches of time on the highway, then you’re going to want a car with a little bit more power under the hood. Smaller engines are great for cities, but they start to burn through fuel at an alarming rate once you get up to higher speeds. A larger, more powerful car is a great option for making sure that your drive is as smooth, comfortable and economical as possible. Not only that but you need something that’s going to stand up to long journeys at high speed without the tyres wearing down or the engine overheating. This means that something relatively new is often your best bet if you’re going to be driving for several hours every single week.
City driving
If you live and work in a city, then chances are that you’re going to use your care primarily for getting around at relatively low speeds and often won’t have much of a chance to really open up the engine. City driving often involves a lot of tight cornering and squeezing into small spaces. Because of this you’re really not going to need a giant gas guzzler in order to get around. In fact, a car like that can actually cause some real problems for you when it comes to getting around a crowded city. For one thing, trying to squeeze a large car into small parking spaces in a city is never fun for anyone! The other issue is, of course, fuel consumption. If you’re not driving particularly long distances, you simply don’t need a huge tank or a powerful engine. A smaller car with tight steering and a relatively small fuel tank, something like a Peugeot 106, is a far better option for city driving. Whatever kind of car you choose, it’s always best to go for something small and reliable, rather than focusing on things like raw power or space. Sure, if you’ve got kids then it’s often a matter of being able to balance these things, but driving a large car in the city is almost always more hassle than it’s worth
Of course, many people end up needing a car that falls into a few of these different categories or more. It’s lucky then that there are plenty of cars out there that cover many different bases. The choice of what car is right for you and your family is going to be a very personal one and will depend on a whole lot of different factors. Think carefully about exactly what you need from a car as well as the kind of things that you can actually afford and try to narrow down your choices until you know exactly what it is that works best for you. It may take a little time and effort but when it comes to an investment as large and long term as a car, it pays to take your time and make the right choice.