Unit+4+Automobiles

=Automobile -- Purchases, Loans, Insurance= toc Learn about all the different options to think about when buying a car Look at resources available to make the decision Calculate costs of buying and owning a car

New resources: [|How to Buy a Car!]

CLICK ON THIS LINK!!!!!

Resources: []

Week 1: What are all the options in choosing a car
Size -- # passengers, weight, etc. 2 door/4 door What are you going to be using it for the most? Options that are important to you Color / model
 * 1. Make sure you are getting the right vehicle. **

**Color**
Black suggests appreciation of details and luxury. Silver is associated with serious, high-performance machines, whereas red is a head-turning hue, typically chosen for fun, dynamic vehicles. Despite the multitude of options, the most common car colors are white, black or silver. More unusual colors like purple, orange, metallic blue, and pink are becoming more widely available, as are custom colors. Car manufacturers offer entire color palettes online for you to explore, print, and compare.

**Purpose / Types of Vehicles**
When car-shopping, you should evaluate the main purpose of your vehicle to determine what kind of vehicle best suits your needs. There are eight main kinds of vehicles: sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks, minivans, convertibles, coupes, station wagons, and hybrids.

**Sedans**
 * One of the most common choices for vehicle buyers, largely because of their high safety ratings.
 * Enclosed trunk and can either have four doors or two doors.
 * They are defined as having a length greater than 185.0 inches and less than 195.0 inches.
 * Options: hatchbacks, a five-seat car with a lift-gate and enclosed car area that opens to the passenger compartment to allow for more cargo space

**SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicle)**
 * First conceptualized to combine the towing capacity of a truck with the passenger and storage capacity of a minivan.
 * Now considered an alternative to the family car.
 * Typical features of an SUV include a large interior, lots of trunk space, high engine capacity, and seating for five to seven passengers.

**Pickup Trucks**
 * Primarily designed for transporting cargo, with an open-top rear cargo area (bed), which is separated from the cab in order to allow flexibility when carrying or pulling heavy loads.
 * Vary by size, coming in full-size (with a V8 or V6 engine), mid-size, and compact.
 * A standard cab has a single row of seats and a single set of doors on each side.
 * An extended cab has extra space behind the front seats. A crew cab is a four-door pickup with seating for up to five people with two full bench seats.

**Minivans**
 * Typically seats seven to nine passengers.
 * Minivans usually have sliding doors, a large rear cargo space, and three rows of seats.
 * Compared to SUVs, minivans can hold more cargo than the average SUV.
 * Seats on some models will fold flat into the floor.
 * Minivans tend to be front-wheel drive vehicles, allowing more floor space in the absence of the driveshaft.
 * Minivans come in three sizes: large, regular, and compact.

**Convertibles**
 * Range in size from two-seat to four-seat models and are often considered luxury-brand vehicles.
 * Many different price-brackets and with a range of engine capacities (four, six, and eight-cylinder).
 * The roof of a convertible is fixed to the body of the vehicle and is able to fold away, either behind the rear seats or into the trunk of the vehicle (operates via hydraulic or electric sensors).
 * Most convertibles have a limited trunk space when the top is folded inside the car and can seat only four passengers comfortably.

**Coupes**
 * Two-door vehicles that have a hatchback instead of a trunk to allow large items to be carried only short distances.
 * Because the rear seats are difficult to access and the slopping roof makes the back of the car uncomfortable, coupes only seat two people comfortably.

**Station Wagons**
 * An enlarged hatchback that allows for multiple configurations of seats to allow for more passengers or more cargo.
 * The rows of seats are either able to be removed or folded into the car.
 * A station wagon has a large fold-flat floor design and a rear suspension that allows for additional load capacity.
 * Full-size station wagons typically hold six to nine passengers, with three passengers in each row of three bench seats.

**Hybrids**
 * Combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor as a power source.
 * They are the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market. Select models of sedans, coupes, convertibles, SUVs, and minivans are hybrids.

**Size**
**Passenger Capacity** Most vehicles can fit up to five people, although the center-rear position can be too uncomfortable in some cars to be considered a reasonable seating place. Larger vehicles like SUVs and minivans can seat seven to eight passengers using a third-row bench. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">You should also determine how easy it is to enter and exit the vehicle and access each seat by sitting in all the seats. For example, SUVs, pickups and other trucks can be difficult for smaller passengers to access because of their height.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Cargo Space** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When you research vehicles, look at truck dimensions online and then in-person at the dealership. Find out how much you can enlarge the trunk space <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Many vehicles, like minivans, SUVs, and station wagons, have a rear seat that can be folded down flat or removed. However, the process can become tedious on a regular basis. A hatchback has a larger interior space with a rear hatch that gives you easy access to cargo. A crew-cab pickup is good for transporting bulky or dirty loads. Regardless of the amount of cargo space, it’s important to test how easy it is to load items into your vehicle. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Along with [|trunk space] for large cargo, make sure there are accessible spaces in the front of your vehicle for the items you use most often, like a cell phone. Many cars come with compartments between the two front seats for small items. Slightly larger items can fit in your [|glove compartment]. If you plan on charging things like MP3 players while driving, look for easy-to-reach power outlets. A safety kit, flashlight, and owners manual should also be in reach.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Comfort** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Seats with multiple adjustments for height and distance from the pedals and steering wheel ensure you are supported properly and have enough headroom. Your position and the layout of the dashboard should allow you to reach all the controls without taking your eyes off the road. The steering wheel must be at least 10 inches away from you for the airbag to deploy safely. A telescoping steering wheel allows you to adjust for distance as well as height. Adjustable pedals are now available and make it much easier for multiple drivers with different heights to share the same vehicle.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Visibility** <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A car’s visibility is the maximum distance you are able to identify prominent objects outside your vehicle. Visibility is influenced by the vehicle’s design as well as the placement of cargo and passengers. In order to enhance your visibility, look for vehicles with large mirrors and ask your salesperson to show you the proper way to adjust them for your height. Check to make sure you can see past the headrests, through the slope of the windshield, and out all the windows. You should also use each mirror to judge the distance of outside objects from the front, rear, and side of your vehicle. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Large headrests, small mirrors, interior pillars and sloping hoods can create blind spots, which impair your ability to see outside the vehicle. These blind spots increase in size as your vehicle increases in speed. If you are considering a vehicle with a sunroof, check to see if the angles of the sunroof lights up the dashboard, which creates blind spots on the windshield.

**Safety**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Safety should be one of your primary concerns when you buy a car or truck. You need to know your vehicle will keep you safe on a day-to-day basis and protect you from injury in the event of an accident.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Resources**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The main resources I’d recommend to determine vehicle safety are the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Consumer Reports. NHTSA conducts tests for frontal and side impact crashes and determines a vehicle’s resistance to rollover. You want your vehicle to receive a five star rating, which means there’s a less than 10% chance passengers will be injured in a collision. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Consumer Reports provides safety ratings by vehicle category based on a vigorous set of crash protection tests. To earn a first tier safety rating, vehicles must have average or better reliability, perform well overall in a crash test, and have a high resistance to rollover. In order to receive a second tier safety recommendation, vehicles must have proven to have very good or excellent overall crash protection based on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The safety features I think are most important are: an Antilock Braking System, stability control, side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags, and good tires.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Antilock Braking System**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">An Antilock Braking System (ABS) prevents a vehicle’s wheels from locking automatically, allowing you to maintain control of a vehicle on slippery surfaces. If the wheels lock the car will slide, and you will be unable to control the movement of your vehicle. This is especially dangerous on an icy road with frequent turns. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The ABS uses wheel-speed sensors and the vehicle’s onboard computer to coordinate the braking action. The system alternately pulsates the brakes on and off while you hit the pedal. In addition to the ABS system, some Nissans and Toyotas offer brake assist, a system that is able to boost brake pressure if you need to make an emergency stop.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Stability Control**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Stability control uses the vehicle’s onboard computer to activate individual brakes and reduces engine power as needed to keep you in control of your vehicle. The more careful and alert you are when driving, the easier it is to maneuver your vehicle in less than ideal driving conditions.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Side-impact Airbags**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Side-impact airbags absorb shock and protect your torso and lower body from the vehicle’s surface impact. Collisions involving a side impact are extremely dangerous as the car door is often the only material between you and the force of the crash.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Side-Curtain Airbags**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">During a crash, side-curtain airbags inflate across the front and rear side windows to protect your head and neck from impact and to keep you from being ejected from the vehicle. They also deploy when your vehicle’s system senses a rollover.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Tires**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Good tires and proper wheel alignment are crucial to braking and navigating turns in the road. When you are test-driving your vehicle at the dealership, be on the look out for indications the tires are in poor condition such as cracks in the sidewalls, uneven wear (which will misalign the wheels) and bulges and blisters. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">To make your tires more effective, many vehicles come equipped with traction control. In icy road conditions, traction control limits the amount of wheel spin so that the drive wheels have maximum traction during acceleration. If the traction system senses the wheels are spinning, it will activate the vehicles antilock brake system to stop the slipping wheel and route power to the opposite drive wheel to stabilize the vehicle.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Other Safety Features**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In addition to these five features, seat belts and front air bags come standard on all vehicles. I know it may seem like common sense, but many additional safety features won’t work unless they are used on a passenger that is buckled in. Some safety belts also come with adjustable upper anchors that can alter the position of the belt across the chest, preventing neck injuries that can be caused from a higher placement. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Front air bags operate when multiple crash sensors are activated during a frontal collision. They inflate in a few seconds and then quickly deflate to allow you to exit the vehicle. In order to avoid injury to passengers, automakers have recently reduced the bags’ deployment force and have implemented sensors that detect the presence and the height and weight of the passenger, in order to avoid injury to the passenger. Many can also detect whether or not the seat belt is fastened and the severity of a crash.

**Reliability**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whether you’re purchasing a new or used vehicle, I think it’s essential to consider how reliable the car will be long-term. All vehicles age differently, depending on their make and model and how well they have been maintained. Some vehicles are cheaper to buy, but ultimately cost more to maintain; other models are more expensive upfront, but will have less costly or frequent problems over time. Because of stricter government regulations, newer car models are more reliable than older models.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Age**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">As a car ages, it experiences problems through normal wear and tear. When a car is three years old, it can experience problems with body integrity, hardware, and power equipment. By year five, the vehicle can encounter brake and engine problems. When a car approaches ten years, problems with the fuel system, sensors, and onboard computer can become more frequent. Issues with the engine, transmission, cooling system, and drive system are usually the most serious and expensive to repair. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In general, depending on the mileage of your vehicle, the most reliable choice in the used-car market is a two or three-year-old model. Cars lose the most value in the first three years, which means you will pay less, but they still have the latest safety features, such as side-airbags and antilock brakes.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A vehicle that’s nine or ten years old usually cost more in maintenance than it is worth to own. Older vehicles naturally have more problems, although some models are more likely to have these late in life difficulties than others.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Resources**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">J.D. Power & Associates and Consumer Reports determine reliability based on consumer surveys about how frequently different models have to be repaired.

Go Green
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When you’re car-shopping, you might also consider the option of buying a green car, a vehicle engineered to require less energy. The most well-known are hybrid and electric, both of which are quieter and handle differently than other cars. I thought I’d share what I know about them to help you decide if a green car is right for you.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Hybrids are cars that have a gas engine and electric motor. When hybrids were first introduced in the United States, many people viewed them as an emerging technology with a lot of hype and not a lot of value. However, in 2007 more than 350,000 shoppers bought hybrids like the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, and the Ford Escape, and the number is rapidly increasing. The growing popularity of hybrids is directly related to how fuel-efficient the cars are. While you will likely pay 20% more for a hybrid based on sticker price, the amount you save on fuel can equal that in as little as 2 years.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Parallel Hybrids**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The two most common types of hybrid cars are parallel (gas-electric) hybrids and plug-in hybrids. A parallel hybrid like theFord Escape operates with both a gas engine and an electric motor and is the most widely available construction on the market. The engine converts energy normally wasted when you coast or brake into electricity stored in a battery that can later be used by the electric motor. The electric motor assists the engine when you accelerate or drive at low speeds, when the internal combustion engine is least efficient. Parallel hybrids are solely fueled by gasoline so you do not need to plug it into an external source of electricity to be recharged.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Plug-in Hybrids**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) like the Chevrolet Volt is powered by rechargeable batteries with a gas engine as a back-up. PHEVs can currently run for around 40-100 miles, depending on the model, and only switch to the internal combustion engine when you need to accelerate significantly or when the charge in the batteries has depleted to a predetermined level. You can charge up your vehicle up at a gas station, although depending on local electrical regulations, you may be required to take your PHEV to dedicated charging stations with high-capacity cables. You can also charge your vehicle at home by plugging it into an outlet. The cost of charging up depends on the price of electricity in your area, but in general charging PHEV batteries is estimated to be about one quarter the cost of traditional fuel sources. The best time to charge your PHEVs is overnight when power is available at a lower cost in many parts of the country.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Series Hybrids**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In addition to parallel and plug-in hybrids, two other green cars are currently in development. Series hybrids are vehicles in which the electric motor is the only power source connected to the wheels, and the onboard engine is used only to charge the large battery pack. The series hybrid is a versatile vehicle with an engine that could be powered by gasoline, ethanol, diesel, or any other fuel.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Fuel Cell Vehicles**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are electric cars propelled by electric motors powered by fuel cells, which produce electricity from the chemical energy of hydrogen. Hydrogen is more efficient than internal combustion engines and environmentally cleaner as its only by-product is water. However, fuel cell vehicles might not be accessible for a decade or more.

**2. Decide whether new or used is best for you.**
What are the issues?

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**New**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When you purchase a new car, you can find exactly the car you would like, with a custom set of features to fit your lifestyle. There are often endless combinations of new navigation, entertainment, and safety features so that your vehicle is made to order. A new car will have the latest in safety, likely including side curtain airbags, adaptive cruise control and brake assist, that may not come standard on an older model. A new car will not have been in any accidents, has no risk of unknown damages, and has zero wear and tear. A new car will have a manufacturer’s warranty, as well as lower financing costs. Plus, new cars have higher fuel efficiency and lower emissions, as the government has increased regulations on new models.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Used**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Although you cannot build a used car to your exact specifications, you may want features that are no longer available on the newer model. Vehicle models change specifications year to year, and an older model may have better handling, styling, or build than the newer version. A used car will typically be less expensive upfront and have experienced their steepest decline in depreciation as soon as it is driven off the lot.

**3. Consider whether leasing or buying makes more sense.**
Leasing provides lower monthly payments than buying with an auto loan. But it's not for everybody. If you don't have money for a down payment or if you trade your car every two or three years, you may be a good candidate for a lease.

**4. Do your homework and set your target price.**
The Internet has made it easier than ever to find out the dealer's cost for each vehicle and its options. That's the first step to getting the best possible deal.

Compare vehicles side by side with <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__Kelley Blue Book__, <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__Consumer Reports__ , and <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">__Edmunds__. You can also see safety reviews and the cost to own a particular vehicle over a length of time to see how long it will take to recoup the cost of the vehicle.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Before going into a dealership to look at vehicles, you should always research the price. You need to know how much you can expect to pay for a vehicle, including financing options, to make sure it’s within your budget and worth the amount of money you’d pay. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A new car is usually more expensive than a used car because it’s in higher demand and has not depreciated. The price of a used car is based on its reliability, performance, condition, and mileage. Prices can vary based on the features, series, and popularity of a vehicle. A certified used car, a vehicle that has undergone tests from the manufacturer (and often from the dealership as well), will be more valuable than a noncertified vehicle.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Vehicle Payment**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Whether you decide to purchase or lease your next new or used car, I think it’s important to have a realistic understanding of your budget and your long-term ability to pay for the vehicle. Your vehicle payment is based on the purchase price you negotiate with the dealership, your down payment, interest rate, and length of your loan. Several resources can help you determine these figures.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Loans**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you require a loan, your credit history and your credit score determine the loan’s cost. Your credit report is a summary of your financial history, including the number and type of accounts you have, your account and payment records, and whether you have any outstanding debts. You can obtain a free copy of your credit report once a year from three major agencies: TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. Your credit score is calculated based on account payment history, amount owed, and length of credit history. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Accessing your credit report and credit score (available for free with a 7-day trial from TransUnion) before you go to the dealership ensures you avoid any surprises at the dealership and helps you determine if you qualify for a loan through your bank, which will typically be a better deal. Make as large a down payment as you are able, around 20% of your annual income. Otherwise, you run the risk of owing more on a loan in the longterm than the car is worth. In terms of monthly payments, your total debt (the sum of your house payment, bills, car payments, etc.) should not exceed 36% of your annual income.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Invoice Price**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Once you know your budget, you should locate the invoice price for the vehicles you are interested in on Edmunds, Kelly Blue Book, or Car and Driver. Invoice price is what the dealer pays the manufacturer for that car; the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) is more than that since it includes a profit for the dealer. With the exception of the latest and most popular models, you should be able to negotiate for 5-10% over the invoice price.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Target Price and Rebates**
<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Before going to a dealership, you should set a target price that you will work to attain during your negotiation with the salesperson. Don’t use the sticker price to negotiate a deal; negotiate up from the invoice price. It’s typically fair to provide the salesperson with at least 5% over the invoice price as a profit. You should also research what kind of manufacturer and dealership rebates are available. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When you are ready to begin negotiations, use the salesperson and sales manager as resources. Ask questions and firmly state that no decision will be made until you are satisfied with the information they have provided. You have the right to leave the showroom and fully consider your options before committing to a sale.

**5. Shop for money before you shop for the car.**
If you plan to buy with a loan, check your credit union or local bank quotes online to find the lowest rate. Getting a pre-approved loan will give you added confidence in negotiating a good price.

**6. Negotiating a lease.**
In the complicated world of leasing, the dealer will have the upper hand unless you learn the jargon and how to negotiate the various segments of a lease deal.

**7. Negotiate a purchase.**
If you are doing it yourself, get bids from several dealers, keeping the focus on the dealer's invoice price, which you will know from your research. You may be able to get bids without going to showroom after showroom.

8. If you hate haggling, consider using a car-shopping service.
Auto-buying services, such as Web sites or discount clubs, make things easy with pretty good, no-haggle prices. But with most of them, you get quotations from only one dealer. Consumer services that shop several dealers near you may deliver even better prices.



HOMEWORK:
[|Cars That Changed the Automobile Industry] //43 minutes// //Once in a while a car comes along that changes everything -- how cars are built, sold and driven. Join A&E for an examination of which cars have had the most lasting influence on the automotive industry. From the Tin Lizzie to the Corvette and some real surprises, get an under-the-hood and behind-the-wheel look at the machines that have captivated our imaginations and turned us free on the open road. Which car will take the top spot?//
 * Netflix documentary:**


 * CAR RESEARCH**
 * EMAIL me the results before our field trip (by Tuesday or Wednesday) so I have some idea of the types of cars we're looking at.

[|http://www.carmax.com]
 * Check out the CarMax website.** Find two cars that look interesting that are available locally.

For each one: [] (If the numbers are low, see if you can google why they got lower numbers on those categories)
 * Check out the safety ratings:**

[]
 * Check out how reliable they are and some of the other customer ratings:**

[]
 * See what the price would be** for this car according to the Kelley Blue Book

and another pricing website -- Edmunds: [] Look up what you could get for similar cars (appraise a used car) -- and what the adjustments are...

If you can, find out what the price would be for a new car of this make/model.

What other local sources have this car and for how much?
 * Other sources:**
 * []
 * []
 * News & Observer
 * []
 * [|http://www.autotrader.com]



Week 2: Visit a Car Dealership
CAR MAX: Glenwood Purpose: Go to a dealership and talk about what's involved in buying a car Very cool to also talk with someone in financing/leasing?

Week 3:
Other options for transportation leasing, public transportation

Full cost of car ownership []

Cost of owning an automobile Taxes, loans, gas Various types compared

[] **Analyze auto ads.** Look for auto ads in magazines and newspapers and on TV. What are the major selling points and appeals? Compare to CU's ratings. How reliable are the ads? Follow up. Now write an ad for the car of your choice, accentuating the car's best points without misrepresenting its weak ones. **Calculate fuel costs.** Have students report the cost of gasoline at local filling stations and then calculate the current average cost of gas in your community. Challenge students to use the overall miles-per-gallon figures in the ratings charts to calculate the cost of driving 15,000 miles in a new car of their choice at the current gas price. **Compute driving costs.** Have the class compute the costs of owning and driving a car. Consider the purchase price, title transfer fees, license and registration, insurance, taxes, fuel, maintenance, and repairs. **Research lemon laws.** Discuss the purpose of lemon laws and have students research which states have and don't have them. If your state has one, have students find out the scope of its protection and when, why, and how consumers can use it. **Estimate insurance costs.** Have students research the cost of car insurance. About how much would students expect to pay for insurance on a new car costing about $10,000? How would the following affect the cost of insurance: Safety features? Horsepower? Good grades? A good driving record? A bad one? The amount of deductibles?

cost of insurance by state []

Introduction: Students will brainstorm what make, model and features they would like in an automobile.

Factors affecting insurance cost in nc []

Activities Step 1 - Decide what criteria are important Step 2 — Use the Internet and perform a search, locating two automobiles that fit their criteria. Step 3 — Create a spreadsheet to compare Car #1, #2, #3, #4 and #5 using the following column headings: Year, Make, Model, Mileage, Price. Students may include columns to show additional options. Step 4 — Add column headings for the following: 3-Year Loan, 5-Year Loan, 7-Year Loan. Step 5 — Use a formula and calculate payments for each vehicle and loan term.

Closure/Evaluation:

Were vehicles chosen that are priced to fit into their budget? Will they be able to afford the monthly payments? Why are there differing loan terms? How will varying interest rates affect their payments? How will students budget to include vehicle maintenance costs and gasoline expenses? Do students need to reconsider their vehicle choices? Spreadsheet printout will be reviewed by teacher and place