Why Did I Do It?

Buyer's remorse is a common malady. I hear it all the time from automotive consumers who visit my web site. I just got an email today from a viewer who had just leased a car the day before and now wants out of the deal. She mistakenly thinks that there is a 3-day grace period for car buyers and leasers -- a popular and wide-spread misconception.

The problem is that many folks don't quite understand that buying or leasing a car is a much more significant decision that buying a new sweater. However, many use the same process for making their decision.

It's an emotion-based process that is occasionally backed up by a logic-based rationalization. Then, after the emotion has subsided and the deal is done, the real logical thinking takes over. "I can't afford the car I just bought." "I don't like the way it drives." It's much smaller than I thought." "I didn't get the deal I thought I got."

The key to smart car buying or leasing is to put the logical part of the decision process ahead of the emotions.