The first step to buyer satisfaction is research
Whether you're buying an F140 or a Prius, start by researching your vehicle options. Use the links below to find the best car or truck for you based on features, price, safety record, satisfaction rankings, etc. Spend some time on the loan and warranty sections as well to ensure you can both afford and protect the investment you make.
- How much car can you afford?
This Four-Step Calculator. takes you from budget to payment in about five minutes. Don't worry about applying for a loan at the end. We'll help you prepare a full application.
- Unsure which cars to consider?
Edmunds helps you review cars by category (e.g., SUV, convertable, coupe, etc.) and price range. It lets you compare cars side by side. It also has "Editor's Choice" and "Cost of Ownership" features. Just go to Ednumds.com.
- Want to know your car's safety record?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) publishes its crash results for all tested makes / models. Just query their databas here. Just select the "Query by Vehicle Parameters" option.
- Are other owners satisfied with this make / model?
While it charges a small membership fee, we recommend you check out Consumer Reports. They provide a pretty comprehensive overview of each vehicle, its major components and how they rank against other vehicles.
- What is the quality relative to others in the class?
Check out JD Power's New and Used car Initial Quality Rankings (IQR). Go straight to the side-by-side rankings.
- How much is the car I want?
Check out Kelly Blue Book's trade-in, private party and retail or dealer values at KBB.com. Keep in mind that these values may not reflect local market conditions.
Note: Why would you pay more for a car from a dealer? Dealers are licensed in the states they operate. Their business and sales practices are regulated by the state. Further, they hold bonds and liability insurance against claims. Finally, they often provide warranties for the products they sell. In short, Dealers have a vested interest in ensuring your satisfaction.
- How do I adjust for local conditions?
Look for your car on AutoTrader.com. This will give you an idea of what the actual market price is. Pay attention to who is selling the vehicle (a private party or a dealer). Then compare the AutoTrader price to the appropriate KBB Private Party or Dealer price.
Note: Why are we suggesting you compare all these prices? One simple reason. So when we give you your The Auto Buying Service price, you'll know it's a good deal!
- Want to learn about extended warranties?
Check out Warranty Helper. It covers most topics and even provides a price comparison for the major types of warranties.
Related Links
- Like to know more about The Auto Buying Service? Read about us.
- Want to know about your auto transport options? Read out Auto Shipping page.
- Ready to get started? Just compplete our easy Auto Buyer Profile.
Disclosure: We developed the content for The Auto Buying Service™ while working with automotive industry clients. We hope you find it helpful in making informed decisions. While we believe the information to be accurate, we do not guarantee its accuracy.
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