The Basics of Buying

an Automobile

Do You Need a Car?

•Write Yes or No here and explain Why or Why not?

How do you choose the car you need?

•Write here what are the things you look for in a car. For example, dependable, good gas mileage, has a trailer hitch, low miles on the engine, inexpensive, good tires, good brakes, not too rusted, etc.

Where can you search for a used car?Type here places you can search for a car: craigslist.com, carsoup.com, Ebay.com, cars.com, along the ditch, used government cars, impound lots, the repo (wo)man’s lot. Family, friends, relatives, etc.

What expenses do you need to consider when buying a car?•For example: gas, tire size, insurance, safety, reliability, price, oil & maintenance costs, inspection, history of accidents, title, registration, license, seat covers, pretty rims.

How much should you pay for a car?

How do you know what is a reasonable/fair price to pay for a car?If it’s a southern car it’s usually worth more … Ask someone, look at similar cars, check online …

Helpful Websites

http://www.safercar.gov/Safety+Ratingshttps://www.fueleconomy.gov/www.bankrate.comwww.carfax.comhttp://www.kbb.com/http://www.edmunds.com/Recalls website, federal trade commission website, consumer reportsetc., etc.

Choose 2 Used Cars to Compare

•Choose 2 cars and write about them here: price, where you found them, mileage, spec. ‘s, etc.

Insurance

Try to find approximate quotes for the auto for your age and car: comprehensive, liability, collision, uninsured motorist, medical payments

Safety Ratings

•What are the safety ratings of the 2 cars you chose to investigate. Safercar.gov

Fuel Economy

• Look for fuel economy for your cars with different motors and spec. ‘s

• Fueleconomy.gov

Car History & Maintenance expenses

•Carfax.com•Edmunds.com

Financing: How much would payments be?

•Use a site like bankrate.com and put in a down payment (20% is usually a good amount), and see what the payments would be for the cars you are comparing

Safe Driving Rules, etc.• Don’t talk on your cell phone while driving• Don’t text while driving• Wear seatbelts• Get good grades for better insurance rates• Don’t speed• Concentrate on the road and not your friends, music, etc.• Use your signals early (100 ft.)• Don’t drink or use drugs when driving or before – OBVIOUSLY!• Leave a safe driving distance between you and the car in front of you