You may remember scraping enough money together to buy an old beater from a relative as your first car. Nowadays, you're ready to cruise the market for a new Honda that will really suit your needs and take you where you want to go. Here are 3 tips for choosing your next roadside companion.
1. Car or SUV
It's a good idea to start with the basics. Do you want a sporty coupe for riding around town in style or a hefty pick-up for hauling and tough jobs? Picking a basic build will help you to narrow down which makes and models suit your needs.
Your lifestyle will determine the amount of space you need in a new Honda. Try to think about what you usually drive around with (or what you would bring if you had a vehicle). Parents will need to fit one or more child car seats in the back while pet owners might want a backseat able to accommodate Fido.
Consider also which activities you enjoy. Will you need extra trunk space for sports equipment, a flatbed for tools and supplies, or a roof rack for larger items? Look into how much weight each model can usually carry when thinking about what you'll want to bring along.
2. City or Country
Factors such as gas mileage vary greatly from model to model, both for city and highway driving. Think about where you live and the most frequent routes you'll be driving with your new Honda.
If you'll be buzzing around the city, it may help to have a smaller model that gets better city gas mileage, fit in tight parking spots, and merge easily in heavy traffic. Large cities may also be more accommodating to hybrid and electric vehicles with publicly accessible charging stations.
If you're a commuter or regularly drive more rural or highway roads, gas mileage is still a big priority, but it may be more difficult to charge an electric model. Also, consider different seasonal driving habits—will you need a new Honda that can maneuver through heavy snow, withstand blazing heat, or maybe both?
3. Style and Safety
Nearly everyone has a dream car they love to imagine themselves driving, but racing through town in a yellow convertible might not always be practical. It's important to consider the safety of yourself and your passengers when looking for your next new Honda.
In general, larger SUVs and trucks have higher safety ratings than smaller cars simply because their size allows them to withstand greater impacts, especially in head-on collisions.
Smaller sports cars still come with plenty of extra safety features, especially in the newest models. A larger car has a higher center of gravity and is more likely to roll over in a collision than a smaller model. Plus you have the added bonus of the sleek profile a minivan could never compete with.
To get started finding the right new Honda for you, contact a car dealership near you.