(January 1, 2012) ATLANTA — According to the 2011 AutoTrader.com Shopper Frame of Mind study, conducted with over 1500 recent vehicle purchasers, an overwhelming majority of respondents — 71% — purchased a car based on need rather than want. 

In the first edition of the Shopper Insights Report from the AutoTrader.com Trend Engine,  AutoTrader.com provided a list of 12 new and near-new vehicles under $30,000 that can meet various consumer needs while giving them many of the features, luxuries and conveniences they will want to have in their next vehicle.

Then, AutoTrader.com fielded a new survey of over 300 site visitors in November to find out what cars on the list they were attracted to — and why.

Popular events that trigger a "need to buy" situation are purchasers' previous vehicles being involved in accidents or breaking down, and changes in lifestyle such as a new baby, new commute to work, new driver in the family and a new job, so AutoTrader.com experts recommended the following 12 cars based on those events:

    Previous Vehicle Broke Down — For consumers whose previous vehicles broke down, quality, reliability and peace of mind are some of the major factors AutoTrader.com experts considered. Their recommendations were the 2012 Hyundai Elantra and the near-new 2010 – 2011 Ford Fusion.

    Previous Vehicle in an Accident — Safety will likely be top of mind for consumers searching for a new car after an accident, and there are a few great vehicles that offer style and substance in addition to best-in-class safety features. AutoTrader.com experts chose the 2012 Kia Soul and the 2007 – 2009 Volvo S80 as ideal vehicles for shoppers concerned with safety.

2012 Dodge Journey
recommended for
family with new baby

    New Baby in the Family — Growing families need more room and family-friendly features such as good handling, entertainment features and fuel economy. With this in mind, AutoTrader.com experts recommended the new 2012 Dodge Journey and the near-new 2007 – 2009 GMC Acadia.

    New Job — Whether a shopper is looking for a work truck or simply wanting to arrive at a new job in style, there are a few great options for them to choose from. For a great truck, AutoTrader.com experts recommended the 2012 Toyota Tacoma Double-Cab PreRunner, and for those needing a little less vehicle but still great style, AutoTrader.com experts said that the 2007 – 2008 Infiniti G35 Sedan fits the bill.

    New Driver in the Family — Safety is generally a top concern for parents looking for a first car for their new drivers, but today's new drivers want more than safety—they want style and great features. For a new car, AutoTrader.com experts suggested the 2012 Ford Focus, and their choice for a near-new car was the 2010 –  2011 Suzuki Kizashi.

    Longer Commute — Taking on a new commute can be made much more enjoyable—and affordable—in a vehicle that combines great fuel efficiency with modern comforts. The 2012 Jetta SportWagen TDI was AutoTrader.com experts' top new-car choice, while the 2009 Acura TSX was their choice for a near-new vehicle.