Researching an Automobile. What should I look for?

Transcription

1 Researching an Automobile What should I look for?

2 Transportation Part of everyone s life 15 20% of an individual s budget Automobile is the 2 nd most expensive purchase, only after a home Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 2

3 Want to Buy a Vehicle? Consumers should plan their vehicle purchase to avoid any costly mistakes Any large purchases should be planned Places to purchase a vehicle: Dealership, private owner, internet Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 3

4 Planned Buying Process 1. Prioritizing wants 2. Pre-shopping research 3. Fitting the budget 4. Comparison shopping 5. Negotiating 6. Making the decision 7. Evaluating the decision Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 4

5 Step 1 - Prioritizing Wants Assess transportation needs and wants Need: something thought to be a necessity Want: something unnecessary but desired Consider all automobile options as wants Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 5

6 Prioritizing Wants Questions to Think About How will the vehicle be used? Where will the buyer be living? How will the vehicle be stored or parked? How much will it be driven? What options would the buyer like in the vehicle? Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 6

7 Step 2 Pre-shopping Research Research should be based on transportation wants Complete this before visiting a car dealership or salesman Helps the buyer to be informed about: What they are looking for Vehicles in their price range Available options Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 7

8 Ways to Perform the Research Family & friends Experiences with different makes and models of different vehicles Likes, dislikes, and recommendations Periodicals Consumer Reports Federal Citizen Information Center Kelley Blue Book Motor Trend Car and Driver Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 8

9 Price Research Base price: vehicle price with standard equipment, no extra options MSRP: Manufacturer s suggested retail price Includes base price, price of options installed by manufacturer, and their transportation charge Sticker Price Dealer s initial asking price Blue book price: dollar value given to the vehicle based on its year and model Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 9

10 Vehicle Options Research General type of vehicle Car, truck, 2-door, SUV, sporty Make and model Ford Taurus, Honda Accord Safety Braking and emergency handling, airbags Reliability Some specific models have high marks, may be higher priced but will save on repair costs Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 10

11 Vehicle Options Research continued Fuel economy Type of gas used, gas mileage Power and performance Driving on highways, steep hills, mountains, snow, muddy roads, or in a city Comfort and convenience Size of headroom and legroom, cargo space Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 11

12 Vehicle Options Research continued Insurance Chosen vehicle affects the price of insurance; obtain a quote for the vehicles being considered Other options Power steering and brakes, manual or automatic, air conditioner, rear-window defogger, radio/tape/cd player, type of tires, cruise control, sun roof, heated seats, power door locks and windows, etc. Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 12

13 New vs. Used Research New Vehicle: Used Vehicle: Not pre-owned Cost less to buy Warranty Cost less to insure Manufacturer options Wide selection Avoid rapid deprecation Expensive Wide selection Depreciation May offer warranty Loss in the vehicle s value Returned leased cars due to time and use (greatest Have an independent cost) mechanic inspect any used car before purchase Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 13

14 Step 3 Fitting the Budget Can I afford it? Most important question Amount the buyer can afford in his/her budget dictates the vehicle price All costs must be taken into consideration before choosing a vehicle Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 14

15 Classify as Fixed or Flexible Expense Depreciation Oil Parking fees Licensing Gas Registration Insurance costs Maintenance Loan payment and interest if financed Repairs Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 15

16 Fitting the Budget continued *Vehicle price is not the only cost involved Fixed expenses Depreciation Insurance costs Loan payment and interest if financed Parking fees Licensing Registration Flexible expenses Maintenance Gas Oil Repairs Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 16

17 Other Steps Step 4: Comparison Shopping Narrow the choice even further to negotiate for the best deal Step 5 Negotiating Keys to all negotiations Be able to say NO Take the purchase to another business Step 6: Making the Decision Step 7 Evaluating the Decision Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 17

18 Lemon Laws Lemon A vehicle in and out of the repair shop with problems monthly An estimated new 150,000 vehicles sold each year are lemons. All states have enacted lemon laws Specifics vary state-to-state and are in place to protect consumers Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 18

19 Lemon Laws continued To fall under the lemon law New vehicle must have a substantial defect which cannot be fixed in a reasonable time Defect remains unfixed after four repair attempts or the vehicle remains in the repair shop for a total of 30 days This allows the consumer the right to a refund or a new vehicle Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 19

20 Lemon Laws continued What should you do if you feel you have purchased a lemon? Contact the state s attorney general office to request information on the state s lemon laws and how to use them if they have purchased a lemon Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 20

21 Conclusion Before purchasing a vehicle, follow the planned buying process to avoid a costly mistake 1. Prioritize wants 2. Pre-shopping research 3. Fit the budget 4. Comparison shop 5. Negotiate 6. Make the decision 7. Evaluate the decision Family Economics & Financial Education Revised December 2004 Transportation Unit Researching an Automobile Slide 21