Shopping for that first car
Performance and practicality on rise as must-haves for buyers
When I was younger I used to drool over all the amazing cars at the auto show in Toronto. I would choose the ones I thought looked the coolest, and that I liked in terms of features, such as the rear-seat video screens in minivans.
My thoughts about what was desirable in a vehicle to a certain degree were superficial. I never understood the driving aspects involved in the choices. Since starting to drive last year, my understanding of the mechanics has evolved. The cars I idolize have changed. I no longer just dream about the coolest gadgets and innovations, but consider the perfor- mance capabilities and practicality.
This past year, I finally earned my G2, so I will be looking at vehicles to consider buying. Being at the AutoShow, I have access to each vehicle I would like to look at and compare with others without having to drive all over the place to see them. I’m extremely excited to be able to look at these cars from a driver’s perspective this year.
Even though you can’t actually drive most of the vehicles that are at the show, you get an exclusive look into them without feeling sales pressure. You’re allowed to get in, poke around, and try out the seats, but not feel like you’re being hounded to make an offer.
I really enjoy sitting in the new vehicles and setting them up the way I sit when I drive. It lets me discover if I can find a comfortable seating position, and I can now imagine driving these cars. It’s also an opportunity for me to check out the back seat and its space, to see how well my two dogs would fit in the car. If you have two larger dogs (such as my Australian shepherds), a two-door vehicle in which you have to fold the front seat forward to access to the back isn’t the most convenient, but even some four-door vehicles could be tough for the dogs to clamber into.
Same goes for having a hatchback instead of a trunk. A hatchback provides more space for moving my stuff if I decide to attend an out-of-town college, or for bringing camping gear when I go away with my friends. I could also fit the dogs back there in a pinch. Cars such as the Honda Civic, Subaru Impreza, and Mazda3 give you both choices.
Leather seats would be a better choice in terms of cleaning up spills and dealing with the furry mess Dexter and Clark leave in their wake. The same would apply for a family with young children. Choosing the less expensive cloth choice could result in a few expensive cleaning bills. This is one of the reasons the show is so great. It lets you get a look at the available interiors, too.
When doing all this comparison shopping, you also need to consider how well a vehicle suits your needs. If you’re in a family of four, it may not be best for you to buy a two-seater, such as an MX-5. I like the practicality of a crossover, but I prefer the size and potentially better handling of a car, and besides, it’s difficult to find a crossover with a manual transmission. That last factor matters to me because my dad taught me how to drive a manual (both of his cars are sticks), and I enjoy the added involvement. Few people these days know how to drive a manual, so it’s a good theft deterrent, too. Ironically, the one car I find myself drawn to year after year at the AutoShow is not super practical. Or affordable for a full-time student with a part-time job. It has a trunk, limiting its usefulness. The seats aren’t leather. My dogs and my passengers might not enjoy being chucked around. It’s the Subaru WRX STI, and it has to be the World Rally Blue colour.