Do you choose the family car - or does he?

I do most of the research - am much more interested in things mechanical and technological than dh, we both test drive it and decide together.

I do all the research and narrow down the choice of car (type and features it has to have) and where we'll be looking. We both have to decide we like it since the car has to be comfortable for our differing sizes. Dh always negotiates the price/extras.

We're just in the process of replacing my car. It's a company car, so I had a look at the models that were in a similar price range to our current car, which we both like.

DH provided a list of possible cars (large estates), and we dragged the kids out to look at a few, checkimportant things like the space in the back, interior trim options (I hate black) etc.

Having decided to get the updated version of our current car, DH selected his preferred engine & model and I am currently choosing the colour.

I don't think I understand the question - it presupposes the existence of a family car. But cars aren't registered to families, they're registered to individuals.

He thinks about the car he wants, goes and test drives it, and then buys it. He has sole discretion as to make, model, colour and trim.

I do the same when it comes to my car. He has no input at all.

In fact, one of the reasons that I'll never own an Audi is that when I wandered into the showroom, the salesman told me to come back with my husband. Perfectly ridiculous. You get a much better class of car salesman at Saab (or you used to ...)

DH spends MONTHS studying the car mags, researching fuel, reliability. performance etc. He can quote facts & figs about cars until I am asleep.

I get a say in the colour & trim etc

We don't change our cars very often and tend to buy pre loved ones.
Dp will get a truck type thing cos he is a builder,as long as it can fit us and the 2 dcs in I don't care what he gets. But then he would never buy a car for flashness or take out credit etc to buy one so there's nothing for me to get worked up about.

I do get to choose my own car BUT, I always ask his opinion and he comes with me to look for a newer one..

Because he is knowledgeable about cars to the point that he built one himself before we met. He loves nothing better than an excuse to get under a bonnet or under a car for the weekend.

So, I choose my car on grounds of type, size, fuel consumption and insurance group, but I have to listen to his opinion as he'll be saving me a fortune on maintenance bills.

We're in the process of buying a new car now. Our first estate.

Dh did all the research, looking online for good second hand offers. Then he pointed out those models on the road as we drove along.

I went along to see the one he said was the best. I drove it, because it'll be "my" car. We said yes. We're picking it up tomorrow.

I do not care about cars (care much more about cookers, I'm a girl) BUT I'm the researcher in the family.

We needed a new car when the old one got stolen.

I compared all the similar cars for boot space, seats etc. I'm a shite driver and can't park big cars.

Told DP we could have this (but it's too big for me to drive)

So shall we just get this?

Look, here's one for a good price.

DP went and bought it (well dealers don't like talking to ladies do they?)

We need a new car soon. I chose the last one when i was pregnant and i have chosen our next soon-to-be car (Volvo XC90) so will be getting that shortly.

To be fair though he does drive another car for work (which he chose) and our choices are narrowed in that we have to have a 7 seater whatever car it was but i would never choose a car that he hated and he in return is quite happy for me to choose a car that i like as i will be doing the majority of the driving in it.

DH's car is primarily the family car and it was 100% his decision what to get - he really wanted a volvo xc90 and I didn't want a bloody great SUV. We had a row and in the end he said it was his money and he'd buy what he wanted. I'll grudgingly admit it is a lovely car to drive and swallows a huge amount of luggage.....and was quite handy in all the snow......but it's still a bloody SUV .

He pretty much chose my car too because I frankly couldn't be arsed to do all the research and he is the ultimate haggler so got a really good deal.

I do not care nor am I particularly interested in what type of car I drive

I know nothing about cars, engines or anything to do with motoring generally

I hate driving, find it a tedious but necessary chore

So would be completely clueless in choosing a car. Would be up to DP (he's not that bothered either though)

Joint decision, but more me I'd say

It's very much a joint decision here, and was even before we had dc, when we did buy the sportier cabriolet (with rear seats too, as a nod to starting a family at some point ).

We have just been choosing which to buy next, and both threw ideas into the pot, both researched on www, both went for test drives, and both ultimately reached the same decision (chose the one that I expected to like the most, which he had expected not to like much, naturally ). Now he reads a geeky forum all about the car we want to buy on a daily basis, and I scan the www for used ones that are new to the market.

Well our car has always been my company car. DH had a company car once, but in the last 10 or so years we have decided that he will take the money rather than a car, as we only need one car (living where we do in London we are very well serviced by public transport, and DH goes to work on the tube).

As they have been my company cars, I have always done all the research and made the decisions. I usually buy a copy of Auto car, or Which car and compare all the stats - 0-60 especially! I have tried to get DH involved, but he's really not interested in cars, so it's always my decision. I like cars that are fast and that perform well, as I do a lot of motorway driving - but they also have to accommodate all our family needs.

When I was trying to buy a car, when DS1 was little (probably about 15 years ago now, I went to the Ford garage. My choice was between a Mondeo or a Renault Laguna. The Ford salesman clearly clocked that I was there. I was the only person in the showroom, but studiously ignored me. So I walked straight out and went to the Renault garage, and bought the Laguna.

my dp is not at all car -y ! ( makes me fancy him more tbh but that's another thread)

I think he is too disinterested to go through the finite details of buying it - BUT that said - he would miss things if we did not have them ie seat warmers !

er, i choose the colour

and

that's about it really

it that bad of me to admit?

i don't get excited by cars particularly...

I choose. DH didn't even see the current car until it arrived.

(we only have one car)

I did the research, all of it - narrowed it down to 2 models (based on a whole load of factors - cost, reliability, previous experience with the manufacturers and previous experience with the car dealership (so much more important than manufacturers realise I think)).

Then presented the 2 options to dh and we picked one together.

Incidentally, if you are showing this to manufacturers, I would echo what someone else said further down. The bloke at the dealership (who I happen to like, he's a v non salesy bloke iyswim) spoke entirely to dh, the finance person spoke to dh, everyone spoke to dh. This was repeated at every garage. Only at one garage, who happened to be managed by a woman, did anyone speak to me and it was the manager coming round checking everything was ok (not that I was particularly bothered - was just an interesting observation)!

He chooses his.

I choose mine.

Simples.

As the "primary care giver" (sorry) I choose the "family car" as I have to drive it five days a week. It becomes "my" car. DH knows that if he had the final say, and something went wrong, he'd get the blame.
I do all the research.

DH chooses his car.(Although when choosing his last one I put my foot down when he had his eye on a yellow one.)

Whoever is working takes the "little" car. (Ergo, his.) This saves moving car seats about, and means the sprogs fit in the motor.

however...i paid for both! so car manufacturers are wrong

we are choosing now..

I have chosen model, make - i have hassled the garages and bartered the finance deal - i have wittled down the add ons and extras and then I have called on dp at the end to help with the colour...

it's pretty likely i will over rule him !

i chose mine
he chose his.