A tool from Chapter 2
What car should I buy?
Five quick questions point you to the type of vehicle that fits your life. The book's full 16-question method is in the book.
About the book
The questionnaire
Pick the answer closest to you for each one. You'll get a broad answer in under a minute. Four optional questions about the money then show what a bank loan would cost you.
Your progress
0 of 5 answered
- A Motorcycle or scooter
- B Compact or subcompact car
- C Full-size car
- D Minivan
- E Pickup
Questions 6 to 9 cover the money. They're optional.
Your answers never leave this page.
Your result
Type A
Motorcycle or scooter
Your answers that point here
What drew you to each one
Your picks split between two or more types. The book's advice is to look at what drew you to each one. Decide which parts you can't do without and which you can trade. One vehicle may give you some of each.
Your picks are spread across the types. Start with who rides with you and what you carry.
Your answer to question 2 points to . Your answer to question 4 points to .
Your answers to questions 2 and 4 both point to .
Your shortlist
Pick three or four bikes to compare: cruisers, sport bikes, touring bikes or dirt bikes. Look into a safety course for your motorcycle endorsement too.
Pick three or four models to compare: hatchbacks, small sedans and compact SUVs.
Pick three or four models to compare: full-size sedans, wagons and SUVs.
Pick three or four minivans to compare. On the test drive, try the third row and fold the seats.
Pick three or four pickups to compare. Choose the size first: compact, midsize or full-size. Then choose the cab and the bed.
Keep each one at or under your price of .
Your picks
Already set on one car? That's fine. The book just asks you to check that it'll still meet your needs in the years ahead.
Your financing
Add a price in question 7 to see what a bank loan would cost you. Go to question 7
Fix the price in question 7 to see what a bank loan would cost you. Go to question 7
Fix the down payment in question 7 to see what a bank loan would cost you. Go to question 7
Your down payment covers the price. If your savings already cover a decent car, the book says to skip the loan.
Add the APR on your offer in question 9 to see what it costs. Go to question 9
Fix the APR on your offer in question 9 to see what it costs. Go to question 9
Pick new or used in question 6 to see what a bank loan would cost you. Go to question 6
$0
Interest on your pre-approval letterInterest at the rate you enteredInterest on an average bank loan at your credit scoreInterest on a bank loan, depending on your credit
This offer charges no interest. Before you sign, ask for the total of payments and check every fee.
Borrowing over months at % APR is about a month.
The Q2 2026 average for -car loans at a credit score of is % APR, from Experian (opens in a new tab).
% is the Q2 2026 average for -car loans at a credit score of , from Experian (opens in a new tab).
That's borrowing over months at the Q2 2026 averages for -car loans, from Experian (opens in a new tab).
Those run from % APR at a score of 781 or higher to % at 500 or lower.
A pre-approval shows you your own rate.
See every credit score range
| Credit score | Average APR | About a month | Interest |
|---|
No interest. One flat fee. Bring your pre-approval letter, and Savings Club (opens in a new tab) beats it.
Adriano Marques, the author of this book, is the CEO of Savings Club.
Vehicle types
These are the five types the book matches to your answers.
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Type A: Motorcycle or scooter
It suits short commutes and riding alone. It uses little fuel, it's easy to park, and it costs less than a car.
You'll need a motorcycle endorsement on your license. That usually takes a written test, a safety course and a riding test.
-
Type B: Compact or subcompact car
It suits city driving and simple needs. Look at hatchbacks, small sedans and compact SUVs.
They use less fuel and they're easy to park. They also cost less to buy, insure and maintain.
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Type C: Full-size car
It suits you if you carry people and things. Look at full-size sedans, wagons and SUVs.
These cars give you more legroom and cargo space. On long trips, they ride smoother and quieter.
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Type D: Minivan
It suits a family that doesn't need to go off road.
Three rows seat up to eight people. Sliding doors and folding seats make school runs and grocery trips easier.
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Type E: Pickup
It suits work, towing and hauling large items.
Some pickups can tow over 10,000 pounds and carry up to 3,000 pounds. A crew cab gives the back seat real legroom.
For your shortlist
Body styles
The book also covers these styles. Use them to build your shortlist in Step 3.
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Wagon
It drives like a car and has the cargo space of an SUV. The rear seats often fold down for bulky things.
The book names the Subaru Outback, Volvo V60 and Audi A4 Allroad.
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Sedan
Four doors and a separate trunk. You get good gas mileage and a smooth ride.
The book names the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Mazda6.
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SUV
You get more room for people and cargo and more ground clearance. Many have all-wheel or four-wheel drive.
The book names the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Explorer.
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Coupe
A two-door car with sleek styling and sporty handling.
The book names the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro and BMW 4 Series.
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Convertible
The roof opens, so you can drive with the top down.
The book names the Mazda MX-5 Miata, Ford Mustang Convertible and Audi A5 Cabriolet.
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Sports car
It's built to go fast and to handle well.
The book names the Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 911 and Nissan GT-R.
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Hybrid
It pairs a gas engine with an electric motor, so it uses less fuel and puts out fewer emissions.
The book names the Toyota Prius, Honda Accord Hybrid and Jeep Wrangler 4xe.
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Electric
It runs on electricity alone, so there's no tailpipe. It also needs less maintenance.
The book names the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Bolt.
Get the book
The book's full 16-question method is in the book (opens in a new tab). So is the path from here to a budget, a loan and a price you negotiated.