Before You Begin
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As one of your
largest expenditures — a vehicle
represents a major financial investment, one that
will factor significantly into your financial planning,
your monthly budget and your spending plan. It is also
a practical and necessary means of transportation.
There is no one best way to buy your next vehicle.
Assessing your needs and priorities is probably the
most important consideration. When you assess your
requirements, you will be able to answer the questions
that lead you to the most appropriate vehicle for you.
Only you — after careful consideration — can
determine which vehicle makes sense for you.
This article is designed to help you examine your
decision from every point of view. You
will learn when and where to buy a vehicle, how
buying new and used vehicles differs, what financing
options to consider, how to sell a vehicle and how to
decide between buying and leasing.
Identify Your Priorities
Examine your decision from every aspect — lifestyle,
safety, financial, practical and personal. Consider
the following factors as part of your decision-making process.
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| If You Are Buying: |
Considerations |
| A new vehicle |
Latest safety features and technology, new warranty, less maintenance. |
| A used vehicle |
Better buy, less depreciation, lower expenses
on registration, licensing fees, insurance premiums. |
| Look For The Following: |
Considerations |
| Affordability |
Monthly payments, fuel, insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration, license fees. |
| Buying options |
Local dealerships, online resources, buying services, vehicle brokers. |
| Comfort |
Smooth suspension, easy steering, quiet cabin, plenty of leg room, luxury seating, audio system. |
| Fuel efficiency |
EPA estimates, transmission, engine size, air conditioning, load, road conditions, insurance costs, driving habits. |
| Insurance |
Annual insurance costs. |
| Practicality |
Passenger seating, cargo space, towing capacity, off-road capabilities, comfort, fuel efficiency. |
| Reliability |
Consumer satisfaction ratings. |
| Safety |
Crashworthiness, safety ratings, safety features. |
| Styling |
Design, color, exterior, interior features. |
| Resale value |
Future marketability: air conditioning, leather upholstery, antitheft system, automatic transmission. |
| Vehicle price |
Rebates, discounts, option package discounts, trade-ins, available financing. |
Safety Features To Consider
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Large, medium-to-heavy weight car-based, instead of
truck-based, structure.
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Low center of gravity.
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Front and rear ends designed to crumple in a crash.
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Strong occupant compartment.
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Driver and front-seat passenger airbags.
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Side airbags.
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Safety belts for all occupants.
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Head restraints.
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Child passenger safety equipment,
including the Lower Anchor and Tether for
Children (LATCH) system.
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Antilock brake system.
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Traction control.
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Electronic stability control.
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Front and rear side curtain airbags.
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Daytime running lights.
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Tire-pressure monitoring system.
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Automatic dimming rearview mirror.
Where To Find Vehicle Safety Ratings
For frontal offset and side-impact crash tests,
visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
(IIHS) at www.iihs.org.
For full-frontal and side-impact crash tests,
and rollover resistance ratings, visit the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at www.safercar.gov.
For injury, collision and theft ratings, visit the
Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) at www.iihs.org.
For More Information
The USAA Educational Foundation publications,
Choosing A Safer Vehicle,
Safe On The Road
and Installing Child Safety Seats,
offer more information.
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Updated Thursday, August 16, 2007
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| © The USAA Educational Foundation, 2000 -
All rights reserved.
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