My mother is at the moment considering the purchase of a new car. When I say new car, what I mean is that it will be a new car to her – so possibly used. However, she hasn’t ruled out the possibility of purchasing brand new. On top of that, she also has no idea whatsoever what kind of car that she would like to buy – barring the fact that it shouldn’t be too big.
Her current car is a Fiat Punto that’s hugely economical for a petrol motor, doing around 47mpg with a 1.2 litre engine. So, she wants something that isn’t going to return only 20mpg. She also needs something that isn’t too flash, simply because her job requires her to, at times, remain fairly inconspicuous (no, she doesn’t work for MI5).
Before starting to talk about some cars that I’ve chosen for her and the motors that she has taken an instant shine to, I’d like to give you a comment from Ian Armstrong, Marketing Communications Manager for Honda:
“Big purchases are all about emotions. We buy things because we like them.”
I’d like to rationalise that quote a little further. I think what Ian Armstrong is really driving at with that statement is that, at times, a big purchase can be completely illogical. Why, after all, would you want to be in debt for up to 6 years to pay off something that is merely a functional device? You wouldn’t, would you?
That, dear readers, is the rub. Cars are, for almost all of us who drive them, far more than merely a functional device. Granted, for not everyone (my mother included) they aren’t a fashion statement – but by the same token if she can see the beauty of both the interior and exterior and finds it fun to drive, then by god it is worth the money spent on it.
This makes the odd selection of cars that she’s looked at so far seem even stranger. The list includes a Suzuki Swift (great car, especially in the Sport guise), an Audi TT Quattro with the 225 engine (great car), an MG TF (a fun two seater but not as good as the Audi) and various other assorted motors (some of which are quite mundane). I suppose the thing that they have in common is that they’re all quite small.
My mother is, for a sales person, an interesting proposition as far as a customer goes. First, she was previously under the pretention that she had to buy a hatchback. I think this has now disappeared, but the thought still occasionally lingers. Secondly, she has me in tow to assist with information and argue with the dealer. Granted, I’m not a car dealer myself, but I know a thing or two about them.
Ultimately, the car my mother chooses will be probably, more of a reflection of what she wants it to do. For me, I want to go fast. But, I know that I have some long road trips, so an element of practicality will have to come into it. Cars are great, great things. What your priorities are dictates what you buy – along with just a small element of seeing what’s on the forecourt that day.
My best advice is to enjoy the experience of both the buying and owning of a car that’s new to you (whether it’s new or 30 years old). After all, this isn’t something that many people do all that often. Don’t worry about rationalising and try to have no regrets. Buyer remorse is bad, but not-buying remorse is often worse…
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