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MNHQ

Do you choose the family car - or does he?

134 replies

HelenMumsnet · 03/02/2010 14:56

Hello.

We've had a hunch for a time that women play a huge part in choosing what make and model of family car to buy. But advertisers keep telling us that's not true - it's the men who make car decisions, they say.

So, we thought we'd ask you what you think...

What part do you play in the decision to buy your family car (and we do mean family car, not the sporty two-seater your other half might have his mid-life-crisis eye on)?

Do you choose it by yourself? Or does he? Or perhaps you do all the research but it's a joint decision in the end?

Do tell...

OP posts:
PuppyMonkey · 03/02/2010 15:14

I said what I wanted. He said what he wanted. We both listened to each other. Went to one of them big car supermarkets with one of those handy directories saying how good the cars are. I chose a couple I liked, he did the same. We ended up going for one that I liked, but he liked it too.

CMOTdibbler · 03/02/2010 15:14

Dh and I have a car each - he decides on his car, I decide on mine. Obv we both talk about it, and both test drive each others short list, but the final decision is the main drivers.

From the reception I get at car dealerships, they believe the same as your advertisers. And I have walked out of places and refused to deal with them because of that too. Or when they try to persuade me that I want the mumsy car or specification, rather than the nice drive that I actually want.

mistlethrush · 03/02/2010 15:11

My company car - my decision. Although, we did go round a lot for the first choice to make sure we were getting the one that suited all our needs, and double checked before re-ordering - and he was involved in this

cakeywakey · 03/02/2010 15:07

Hmmm, your advertisers are rather behind the times I think.

For our first car, we chose together. For the last two, I've been the main driving force (pardon the pun) behind which car we have and when we get it.

I've done all the research on safety, reviews, prices, insurance and servicing costs etc. I'm the one that's bothered friends and family about their cars for info. I'm the one who's found cars to price up and test drive.

DH has so far been happy to agree with the decisons I've made, particularly as I'm the one who uses the car most - he commutes by train each day. I'm also the one who sorts out servicing, MOT and general upkeep. And I bet I'm not the only one either.

YanknCock · 03/02/2010 15:05

As with just about every major purchase, I did all the research, narrowed it to two choices, gave him the key facts, and told him my preference. I am organised and bossy.

micku5 · 03/02/2010 15:03

I tend to give him a selection of cars that i like, then he will do the research and narrow it down to a 3-4 within our budget that we then test drive.

I get to have final say on which one we have as I am the one to has to do the school run, shopping, after school clubs etc so i'll be in 99% of the time.

MollieO · 03/02/2010 15:02

Me, me and me. No dh only a ds so we have a two seater sports car. If ds (5) had his way I'd be made to trade it in for a Pagani Zonda. Apparently it is the fastest road car .

Hulababy · 03/02/2010 15:01

DH and I have two cars between us. I suppose at the moment we do have a car each, rather than full on sharing but not always been the case. But we both chose our cars - it is discussed. If I don't like a suggestion we don't get it and vice versa.

Oh, and it is more likely to be me, not DH, who hankers after the sporter two seater

NoahAndTheWhale · 03/02/2010 15:00

It's a jointish decision - I say things I would like and DH does the actual donkey work of finding possibles. We both have overall veto though.