Choosing your Car or Truck

Most of us need some form of reliable personal transportation. You may have an ideal of your dream wheels, but before you buy, take some time to consider all the choices that are available.

Cars are grouped by size, then body style. Subcompacts typically seat only four comfortably (some are only 2-seaters), and have limited luggage space. Some popular examples are Honda Fit, Nissan Versa, and Chevy Aveo. Within the subcompact category are coupes, hatchbacks, and sedans. Many of the "green" cars, such as electric cars and hybrid gas/battery cars, fall into the subcompact category.

Small cars are typically designed to seat five. They have decent luggage capacity and are economical choices for most people. Body types include coupe, sedan, hatchback, and wagon. Common examples are Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, and Mazda3.

Next are mid-size or family cars. These are the larger, most often sedan-style cars such as Nissan Altima, Volkswagan Passat, and Kia Altima.

Specialty vehicles are a diverse group ranging from high end sports cars such as Camaros and Mustangs, to plush luxury sedans made by Cadillac, Lexus, and Jaguar.

Another big group are mini-vans, cross-overs, and SUVs. A van can be any size, and is basically defined by its sliding doors. Cross overs are sporty, multi-function vehicles built on a car frame, while SUVs are ruggedly built multipurpose vehicles built on a truck frame.

Trucks are grouped by size, horse-power, and engine type.

Small trucks, such as Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma, offer decent hauling and towing. They are economical to operate and offer multiple configurations, such as long and short beds, and extended cabs with four doors. Some small trucks such as the Avalanche offer more cab than cargo bed. Flex fuel and hybrid engines are available for most brands.

Full size trucks offer a huge array of choices. Engine size and towing capacity is the most important determining factor. Think about your current and potential uses carefully. Will you be bring home lumber for DIY projects, hauling a boat, or towing a 24 foot RV? Horsepower and torque needs vary according to your purpose. Most models offer a choice between diesel and gasoline engines.

Whether purchasing a car or a truck, keep your primary driving in mind. If you only rarely need a large family sedan for comfortable vacation driving, it might be smart to buy a small economical car as your daily driver and rent a larger sedan for those occasional trips. And if you only anticipate the need for hauling lumber or a swingset, consider purchasing a utility trailer that can be used with your family car.

And it's wise to consult unbiased third-party sources to find reliability data, price information, and histories of your potential automotive purchase.