| In this day and age most families could not | | | | advisable to ask the seller for the VIN |
| fathom doing without the convenience of an | | | | number and/or Carfax report. If the |
| automobile, which makes the buying process an | | | | dealership or private owner doesn't have a |
| important one. When attempting to choose the | | | | Carfax report, you can obtain one yourself |
| right car for your family, it's important to | | | | using the VIN number. This information is |
| consider a variety of factors that will help | | | | helpful in determining the vehicle's actual |
| to make sure your ride is a smooth one. | | | | mileage, accident record, service or repair |
| | | | history and more. Additionally, a Carfax |
| First and foremost, you will need to ensure | | | | report can let you know whether or not the |
| that your family's automobile is a safe one. | | | | automobile has ever been involved in a recall |
| As a consumer, you can check the results of | | | | and/or reported as stolen, both of which are |
| government crash test and/or safety ratings | | | | important to know when choosing a vehicle for |
| online or by asking your local dealership for | | | | your family. |
| further information. If purchasing an SUV, | | | | |
| for instance, it may be especially important | | | | For new cars it is possible to request to see |
| for you to consider the rollover capability. | | | | the invoice for the car, which will tell you |
| If you are like most, you will also find it | | | | how much the dealership had to pay for the |
| beneficial to learn how the automobile held | | | | vehicle at their wholesale cost. Many car |
| up in crash test ratings. | | | | dealers will bargain to a price within a |
| | | | thousand dollars or so of this invoice price |
| If you have children, interior space is | | | | if you negotiate with them. This of course |
| likely to be a priority on your list of auto | | | | doesn't apply to some companies like Saturn, |
| amenities. Whether it's storage space for | | | | which does business at sticker-price only. |
| toting sports equipment, musical instruments | | | | |
| for band practice or just a little extra room | | | | Be aware that any "factory rebates" are |
| for a special trip to the toy store, it's a | | | | technically reimbursements from the |
| good idea to consider comfort in terms of | | | | manufacturer, not the dealer. As such, it |
| available space, movability and leg room. | | | | isn't entirely uncommon to be able to |
| | | | purchase a car for BELOW the invoice price if |
| Whether you are purchasing a new or used | | | | there are a lot of factory incentives |
| automobile, a warranty is an important | | | | available for the model car you are |
| consideration. New vehicles typically come | | | | purchasing and the dealer is being |
| with a manufacturer's warranty, while | | | | particularly flexible on pricing. |
| previously owned automobiles may have a | | | | |
| portion of the manufacturer's warranty | | | | Last but not least, the cost of operation for |
| remaining or possibly even one that is | | | | an automobile is a significant consideration |
| offered directly from the dealership. If the | | | | when choosing the right vehicle for your |
| original manufacturer's warranty has expired, | | | | family. Gas mileage and the cost of auto |
| there may be an option of purchasing an | | | | insurance are both important in terms of |
| extended warranty from the manufacturer upon | | | | affordability. In general, an SUV uses more |
| request. This is typically only available on | | | | gasoline and will carry a higher cost of auto |
| newer model vehicles, but it is a | | | | insurance. The age of an automobile also |
| consideration for those investing in a | | | | plays a role in the cost of auto insurance, |
| previously-owned ride. | | | | which is typically more expensive on new |
| | | | vehicles than on earlier models. |
| If you purchase a used automobile, it's | | | | |