Auto Buying Tips

You may be getting your first car, or you may even add to or replace your current vehicle. Here are some things that you should look for, whether the vehicle is new or used:

Price and Value Check: Compare the sticker price with suggested retail values as published in NADA, Kelley Blue Book, and Edmunds.com, to make sure that you are getting your money's worth.

Vehicle History: Ask for the vehicle history report from the seller if available, and if not, take note of the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) so you can verify the vehicle's history. Vehicle history reports cover areas including, but not necessarily limited to, number of previous owners, title condition (Clean, Junk/Salvage, Rebuilt, Flood, Fire, Totaled, etc.), accident history (if any), service and emissions history, and major damage. That is important because an auto with significant damage or title problems will have a significantly lower value and higher risk of problems than an auto in good or, better yet, excellent condition.

Reliability: Another area to be looked at is the vehicle's reliability ratings. Basically, you would want a more reliable auto as it has a lower risk of failures or other problems, which may lead to a repair bill of hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Also, just because an auto has a prestigious nameplate such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Lexus, or Cadillac, it does not necessarily mean that it is more reliable than a vehicle from a less prestigious nameplate.

Fuel Economy: With gasoline prices averaging around $3 per gallon nationally and varying by area, you would want something with good fuel economy. The fuel economy ratings are normally displayed on the vehicle's sticker or can be looked up over the Internet at sites like Fueleconomy.gov, MSN Autos, and Edmunds.com. In addition, some makes have diesel versions, which have better fuel economy than their gasoline-powered counterparts. And some vehicles are offered as hybrids or flex-fuel vehicles, which run on either gasoline or E85, a mix of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.