Behind The Wheel - The Doctor Is In

Our senior writer is no doctor, but he felt like one after being consulted by “patients” who were in need of a new car.

- Jeremy Chua

THESE days, the most common question I get asked is, “What’s the coolest car you’ve driven?”

It used to be, “What’s the best car to buy?” But I may have lectured everyone who’s ever asked me that (because it’s as sensible as asking me who they should marry), so even casual acquaintances avoid asking me anything car-related. Or they avoid me altogether.

That’s why I was surprised when two months ago, the husband of one of my wife’s colleagues consulted me about buying a new car.

I thought the discussion would be one of those 10-minute chats that ends with me making a few suggestions – none of which he would actually consider.

But I was pleasantly surprised to find that prior to calling me, my “patient” had already done his sums, test-driven a few cars and said he was keen on the Mazda CX-5.

Whenever anyone consults me about buying a car, I tell them that my main priority is helping them get the right car for their needs.