Why I Won’t Tell You What Car To Buy

No matter how sound the advice, you will generally buy what you want.

When friends used to ask me “what should I buy”, I’d spend hours doing research and building comparative spreadsheets. Now matter how much effort I put into it, no matter how much documentation I provided on what to buy and what to avoid, my friends and relatives usually bought what they wanted, regardless of advice. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. I’m not insane, so I no longer give purchase advice to you!

If you buy what I recommend, every problem is my fault.

Especially true with used cars, this also applies to new cars as well. What happens when a new car is recalled by the manufacturer six months after purchase? people will look at me like I should have known this. What happens when the brake rotors require replacement 20,000 miles after a buddy buys a used car? I should have warned him about it.

Endless whining like - “I should have bought this instead”

If I actually have friends buy a car I recommend, am not prepared for endless whining about the car they really wanted. Unless I enjoy a five year guilt trip, it’s best to just nod my head when people talk about what cars to buy. Unless they take that as agreement, in which case I still get the prolonged guilt trip. Face the facts; your friends don’t want advice, they want validation of their choice. I give them that!

Why didn’t you tell me to wait for better price / newer model / bigger engine?

The internet has really improved the flow of information from automakers to the general public. Anyone with access to a computer can find pricing and new model information from any manufacturer, but that doesn’t always fit into their purchase schedule. Recommend a particular car, and be prepared for comments like, “I would have waited if you told me a new model would be released in two years.”

This just in, folks: manufacturers are constantly updating their product lines. Car models are like sharks; unless they keep moving forward, they die. It doesn’t matter when you buy a car, there will always be something better just around the corner

Next time you see me around dont ask for advice just buy what you can handle.