Cars - General Tips
tips on buying cars from the united states government
general tips - buying new - buying used - leasing - renting - repair
When you are buying a new or used vehicle, these tips will help you get the best deal and avoid problems.
• Evaluate your needs and financial situation. What kind of vehicle best suits your lifestyle and budget?
• Consider a vehicle’s fuel economy. A vehicle that gets more miles per gallon is good for your wallet as well as for the environment.
• Use the Green Vehicle Guide (www.epa.gov/emissweb) to search for the most fuel-efficient and clean motor vehicle.
• Go to www.fueleconomy.gov to compare the miles-per-gallon ratings of different vehicle models manufactured since the mid 1980s. Go to www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/savemoney.shtml for annual fuel estimates.
• Check the complaint records of car dealers with your state or local consumer protection agency or Better Business Bureau.
• Handle your car trade-in, purchase, and financing as three separate transactions to get the best deal on each. Get a written price quote before you talk about your trade-in or dealer financing.
• Shop in advance for the best finance deal at your credit union, bank or finance company. Look at the total finance charges, not just the monthly payment. To help you compare, the finance charge must be stated as an Annual Percentage Rate (APR).
• Read and understand every document you are asked to sign. Do not sign anything until you have made a final decision to buy. Keep in mind there is no automatic three-day right to cancel if you change your mind. See Your Rights: 3-Day Cooling-Off Rule.
• Don’t take possession of the car until the financing paperwork is final.
There is no universal three-day cooling-off period.
Do not be misled into thinking that you have an automatic three-day or other cancellation period for all purchases. Only a few types of contracts give you a right to cancel. See Your Rights: 3-Day Cooling-Off Rule.
Protect Yourself: Choose a Safe Vehicle
These two organizations conduct crash tests to determine how well a vehicle is able to protect occupants if a crash occurs. Consumers can access the test results on the Internet.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (www.nhtsa.dot.gov).
Each year, NHTSA crashes vehicles head-on into a wall and bashes them broadside to test their ability to protect their occupants. The focus is on evaluating vehicle restraints such as air bags and safety belts.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (www.hwysafety.org).
A different test by the IIHS uses offset-frontal car crashes to assess the protection provided by a vehicle’s structure.
Consumer Report’s annual auto issue rates vehicles in terms of overall safety. Its safety score combines the crash test results with a vehicle’s accident avoidance factors – emergency handling, braking, acceleration, and even driver comfort.
To find out whether a manufacturer has recalled a car for safety defects, click on the “Recalls” link at www.nhtsa.dot.gov or call NHTSA at 1-800-424-9393. If a vehicle has been recalled, ask the dealer for proof that the defect has been repaired.
Used vehicles should also have a current safety inspection sticker if required by your state.
general tips - buying new - buying used - leasing - renting - repair
taken from http://www.consumeraction.gov/