Smiles Per Mile
As the designated car guy in my circle of friends, it is my sworn duty to offer 24/7 support whenever someone needs help buying a new car. I research cars, explain features, double-check market prices and personally accompany friends to the dealership whenever possible.
After supporting dozens of car purchases, I’ve come to an important realization: emotions always win.
Toss that specifications sheet and cancel your subscription to Consumer Reports because if you’re anything like my friends, you’re not going to listen to your head when it’s your turn to buy a new car.
My friend, Iris, is the poster-child for this phenomenon. “I really like the Mini Cooper, but I need four-wheel drive for snowboarding in the winter and I also need to carry a surfboard or two inside,” she explained. “I’m thinking about buying a Nissan Xterra or that Lexus SUV.”
We hit the ground running on Saturday and looked at twelve SUVs and crossovers, test-driving her favorite seven. We kicked tires, calculated payments, and carefully examined cargo space.
Iris called me early the next morning. “I know you’re going to hate me for this but I’ve decided to buy a Mini Cooper S.”
Between the anti-surfboard size and the summer tires, I knew that this was quite possibly the worst car for her needs. But even though her change of heart was frustrating after a full day of dealership visits I could tell that she was grinning from ear to ear as she spoke. “The Mini is a great car,” I sighed. “You should definitely get it.”
Three years later, Iris still loves her Mini. “I get 35 miles per gallon and my car is sooo much fun to drive!” she tells people.
And Iris isn’t the only one who took a last-minute left turn.
My neighbor, Pauline, complained of high fuel prices and was certain that she’d end up with a small car. She ultimately bought a mid-sized Nissan Murano crossover because she loved the dark blue color and post-modern design.
An acquaintance, Lewis, was convinced that the super-efficient Toyota Prius was the best choice for his wife’s lengthy commute but purchased an Acura TSX because she fell in love with the interior.
A close friend and colleague, Trevor, had his pick of a super-discounted lease on a company vehicle but chose to spend thousands more on a Honda S2000 sports car because of the way it felt behind the wheel.
Are these people crazy? Far from it.
I think that car-shopping is a lot like discovering a new friend. It’s easy to find strangers with common interests but true friends are the ones who click on a much deeper level. The same is true of cars. They can all get you from A to B, but only a few can really move you on an emotional level.
So how will you know which car is the right car for you? That’s easy: it’s the one that makes you smile.
