This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Chris Astrella, a recent car buyer in Las Vegas, Nevada. It has been edited for length and clarity.
When my grandfather died, he left money for all of his grandchildren. I knew I would eventually need a new vehicle, so I put $25,000 of what he left me in the bank and decided I would use it toward a car.
It took me three years to figure out what I would buy.
I’ve owned nine vehicles in my life — but this was the first time I walked into the car-buying experience without knowing what I truly wanted. I built a spreadsheet with about 25 vehicles, including everything from a Ford Maverick hybrid…
