Car Care
New Car Research
From reviews and pricing to financing and insurance tips, there's no shortage of information if you know where to look
Created by John LeBrieThe car-buying decision is a multifaceted process, which requires consideration of a lot of separate pieces of information. The best way to make sure that you buy the right car at the right price is to do your homework. Fortunately, in this age of electronic information, getting the facts is now easier than ever.
Reviews
Having trouble deciding which car to buy? There's no shortage of places to turn for vehicle reviews. The top auto-enthusiast magazines—Automobile, Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and Road & Track—have long been primary sources for reviews of the latest models. In addition, the Internet has opened up many more doors to car information. Each of the enthusiast magazines operate their own web site, plus sites such as Automobiles.com, CarPoint, Edmunds, and Kelley Blue Book offer their own reviews as well.
If you prefer a printed publication, an array of buying guides can be found every year on any large newsstand. When trying to decide among different cars, read reviews from several different sources so that you can get a cross-section of viewpoints.
Specs & Features
Once you know what model or models you're interested in, it's time to dig deeper. Information on specifications, features and options is easily accessible either in the appropriate brochures or at the manufacturers' web sites. Looking carefully at the features and options for different trim levels can help you further hone your choice.
Pricing
Most of the manufacturers' web sites provide retail pricing for models and options. They even allow you to "build your own" vehicle by choosing the trim level and options you want, and then give you a total retail price for that exact configuration.
Of course, for dealer invoice pricing on models and options, you'll have to go to an independent source. Both Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds publish this information in books (often available at libraries) and at their respective web sites. Other sources for invoice pricing are Automobiles.com, CarPoint and Intellichoice. In addition, Intellichoice, Edmunds, and Autobytel all provide info on current rebates and dealer incentives.
Ownership Costs
What are the real-world ownership costs for the models you're considering? Intellichoice provides a wealth of information in both their printed guides—The Complete Car Cost Guide and The Complete Small Truck Cost Guide (check your library)—and in their New Auto Purchasing Reports ($4.95), which can be ordered through their web sites. Among Intellichoice's array of stats are averages for maintenance costs, repair costs, depreciation, and the total ownership cost for the first five years.
Reliability
How reliably have the models you're looking at held up? Consumer Reports publishes individual reliability data on most models, based on annual survey responses from their subscribers. The reliability information is broken down into more than a dozen categories, from engine to electrical. It's available in Consumer Reports' annual April auto issue, in their auto-buying guides, and at their web site (for a fee).
Safety
How do the models compare in terms of safety? Various crash-test results are available at the web sites for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. NHTSA's site also contains its new Rollover Resistance Ratings for various vehicles and a complete list of safety recalls, by model.
Insurance
How much will insurance cost you and what coverage do you need? You'll find a wealth of auto insurance information at Insure.com and Insweb.com. In addition to getting quote comparisons, you'll find an insurance company guide and complaint finder at Insure.com; Insweb.com has an auto-coverage analyzer, FAQs, and articles on factors that affect auto insurance.
Financing
What are the best rates? Bank Rate Monitor shows you current loan rates for different types of loans and in different states. It also provides a loan payment calculator, general articles on financing, and links to loan processing sites.
Leasing
If you're considering leasing, check out Leasesource. The site's extensive information covers auto leasing from A to Z and provides such handy tools as lease calculators and summaries of various types of lease contracts.
Resources
Autobytel, www.autobytel.com
Automobile, www.automobilemag.com
Automobiles, www.automobiles.com
Bank Rate Monitor, www.bankrate.com
Car and Driver, www.caranddriver.com
CarPoint, www.carpoint.com
Consumer Reports, www.consumerreports.org
Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, www.carconsumers.com
Edmunds, www.edmunds.com
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, www.hwysafety.com
Insure, www.insure.com
Insweb, www.insweb.com
Intellichoice, www.intellichoice.com
JD Power & Associates, www.jdpower.com
Kelley Blue Book, www.kbb.com
Leasesource, www.leasechoice.com
Motor Trend, www.motortrend.com
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, www.nhtsa.dot.gov
Road & Track, www.roadandtrack.com
Tirekicking Today, www.tirekick.com