Video: Driving Smart: Car Buying Decisions

om editors have identified a few of the scariest choices that car shoppers make, so grab a pumpkin latte and take a few notes, here are a few. First, buying, too little car to fit your needs can be a recipe for distress. You might think you have enough room for the kids and the family dog, but what about big luggage or sports gear? If you have a large bag or a stroller that you always bring along with you, bring it to the dealership when you're test driving and make sure it fits. Buying too much car can be even more of a headache. You might think you can make that attractive lease offer on a luxury car with more features and better performance, but other costs from premium gas to pricier insurance can slowly make your budget pop. Other scary choices, negotiating on the price of the car without considering taxes and other fees can leave you unprepared for that first monthly payment. Buying a car without test driving at first or getting an out of warranty used car without a mechanic's inspection can leave you stranded down the road. Finally, shopping by monthly payment instead of the total cost of the car can wind up costing you a lot more than you thought. For cars.com, I'm Kelsey Mays.