Industry Tips
Van, Buying A
When considering purchasing a van, remember the following: * Some factors to consider:
- Will you be using it just for family outings on weekends and long vacations?
- Will you be using it as your primary or second passenger vehicle?
- Will you be driving it to work?
- Will it be driven on highways or in a congested city
environment where maneuverability and ease of parking is important?
- How many passengers do you plan to carry and what are their ages?
- Will you be using the van to haul cargo?
- If you plan to haul materials in your van, are the seats
removable and easy to take out?
Research information * Evaluate your budget * Test drive the vehicle * Compare models * Think about how you will finance the van * Make sure that you, and other potential drivers of the van, agree on what you are looking for and which features are important before you start negotiating with a salesperson. * Emphasize function, economy, comfort and style. * How long do you intend to keep your new vehicle? * Pay attention to maintenance records of similar models. * Consider that a slightly larger engine, if offered as an option, may mean significantly less frequent repairs, particularly if you plan to tow a boat or a trailer. * To get a feel for maintenance costs for different models, call several service departments for each and ask the cost of typical repairs after the warranty expires, such as brake repair, tune-ups, and transmission replacement. * To estimate annual fuel costs, divide expected mileage by the rated miles per gallon, and then multiply the result by the price per gallon of the gasoline to be used.
