NADAguides: The Golden Rules of Back-to-School Car-Buying

COSTA MESA, Calif., Aug. 7, 2007 -- With millions of students getting ready to head back to school soon, the experts at NADAguides.com a leading vehicle pricing and information website -- today released tips to help teens, college-age students and parents navigate the back-to-school car buying process.

"Buying a car for a teenager or a young adult is a unique situation," said Don Christy, Jr., president and CEO, NADAguides.com. "Things like credit history, budget, safety and reliability play a large part in the car buying equation. These tips are designed as a guideline to assist students in finding the perfect vehicle, at the right price, to meet their needs."

1. Do your Homework

The car-buying process starts with homework to determine the type of vehicle that best fits your needs and your budget. In addition to determining whether you're buying new or used, you'll need to know the type of vehicle that's ideal for your own personal situation. For example, hybrid cars are great for commuters while four-wheel-drive SUVs, pick-up trucks and crossovers work well in all kinds of weather. There are also a variety of standard gas-powered compact cars that are economical, popular among younger car buyers and ideal for small parking spaces or crowded city driving.

NADAguides.com offers a side-by-side car comparison tool that allows students and their parents the ability to compare price, safety features, standard equipment and vehicle specifications for up to four different new and used makes, models and model years -- side-by-side, in real-time -- at the new car section of its website http://www.nadaguides.com/, for people who need help making the best car buying decision possible.

2. Check your Math

Next up, it's time to check your math. Start by researching the vehicle's retail price (if you're buying used) or MSRP (if you're buying new) at NADAguides.com to see if the vehicle fits within your budget, if the seller's asking price is fair, or if there are any incentives and rebates programs currently being offered that help offset the overall sales price -- you can research Current Offers at NADAguides.com to find out. Then, it's time to determine whether you'll pay cash or whether you'll need a loan. NADAguides.com offers an online car payment calculator, a free Credit Check service (so you know ahead of time exactly what your credit score is), online finance programs and detailed pricing information to help you evaluate the "math" involved with buying a car.

3. Complete your Paperwork

If you finance, there are a variety of lending companies (including financing at car dealerships) that specialize in loans for people with little or no credit. Be sure to factor in any down payments and trade-in allowances when determining what your overall monthly payment will be. Even though teenagers and young adults typically have little or no credit, parents or trusted family members can co-sign a loan to help a student qualify for financing they typically would not have qualified for on their own, while helping them establish a credit history in the process. Finally, review the documentation thoroughly to make sure you fully understand the terms of the financing, including the length of the loan, the interest rate and the overall amount of the monthly payment.

4. Buy an Apple (Not a Lemon)

If you're buying a used car -- either from an accredited dealer or a private party -- NADAguides.com suggests getting a Vehicle History Report, like the service offered at its website, to check whether the vehicle has suffered from frame damage, fire damage, water damage or from other problems in the past (such as a salvaged or damaged title or odometer rollback). "Even if the vehicle's history report comes back 'clean', it's still a good idea to solicit the help of a certified mechanic to inspect the vehicle prior to purchase, to ensure it's mechanically sound," said Christy.

5. Learn to be Safe

In addition to finding the right vehicle at the right price, NADAguides.com strongly urges teenagers and young adults to enroll in a driver safety program. "For most kids, buying and owning their first car is an enjoyable rite-of-passage," said Christy, "but safety should be the number one priority. We all want our kids to have fun, but above and beyond anything else, we want them to be safe in the process."

The editors at NADAguides.com have compiled a list of their favorite Back-to-School Vehicles for the Fall 2007 school year. Following is a list of their top picks in a variety of 'Who's Who' categories.

  Best All Around

  2007 Honda Civic Coupe, MSRP - $15,610

With its affordable price tag, cool styling, responsive handling, excellent fuel economy and solid safety ratings (as well as a wide range of aftermarket accessories and customization possibilities), this year's Honda Civic Coupe won Best All Around in the NADAguides.com Favorite Back-to-School Vehicles list.

  Most Popular Among Girls

  2007 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible, MSRP - $22,240

The 2007 Volkswagen New Beetle Convertible was chosen as a NADAguides.com favorite among girls this school season, with its uniquely-rounded design, an enjoyable top-down driving experience and more than a dozen exterior and interior color configurations, including Sunflower Yellow.

  Most Popular Among Guys

  2007 Jeep Wrangler, MSRP - $18,610

Completely redesigned for 2007, the Jeep Wrangler boasts all the utility off-roaders could possibly want, with cool convertible driving thrown in. With a base 205 horsepower 3.8-liter V6, more-than-enough cargo room for plenty of skiing and school gear, locking differentials and off-road tires, the NADAguides.com editors chose it as a favorite among guys for the upcoming school season.

  Most Likely to 'Play it Safe'

  2007 Subaru Forester, MSRP - $21,195

The Subaru Forester offers ABS brakes, traction control, advanced driver and passenger-side airbags, rear seat head restraints and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in frontal and side crash tests (as well as an affordable price tag compared to other comparably equipped, ultra-safe cars on the market) -- great news for students, as well as their safety-conscious parents.

  Most Athletic

  2007 Nissan Xterra, MSRP - $20,050

Available in 4WD, with excellent off-road features and towing capacity, the 2007 Nissan Xterra is equipped with a powerful base 4.0-liter V6 that generates 261 horsepower and 281 lb.-ft of torque, with passenger capacity for up to five and all their gear. Not only is the Xterra a tough little workhorse, it's geared towards a younger crowd, making it a top NADAguides.com Back-to-School Vehicle favorite.

  Most Environmentally Conscious

  2007 Toyota Prius, MSRP - $22,175

If it's fuel economy you want, there's nothing better than the 2007 Toyota Prius, with EPA estimates in the 60 City/41 Highway range -- a perfect car for long commutes to and from school. What's more, the Prius comes nicely equipped with plenty of amenities, including a navigation system and an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system, sure to please today's technically-savvy youth.

  Best Dressed

  2007 Ford Mustang, MSRP - $19,250

Since the beginning of its production life, the Ford Mustang has always been a fan favorite due in large part to its overall design, and the 2007 model year doesn't disappoint. With a base 210 horsepower 4.0-liter V6 and 240 lb.-ft of torque -- as well as throwback design cues reminiscent of classic Mustangs -- this year's model easily 'made the grade' as a NADAguides.com Favorite Back-to-School Vehicle pick.

  Most Likely to Succeed

  2007 Acura TSX, MSRP - $28,090

Even though the 2007 Acura TSX is considered an entry-level Sedan, there's nothing elementary about it. From heated leather lumbar seats to steering wheel audio controls, the Acura TSX is luxuriously equipped, safe and more affordably priced than comparably-equipped vehicles in its class. The TSX was designed for distinguished go-getters in mind -- kids on a fast track to the finer things (even though mom and dad will probably need to pick up the tab).

At NADAguides.com (http://www.nadaguides.com/), students can research pricing and specification information for virtually every new and used car on the market today, as well as side-by-side car comparisons, car buying and selling services, Vehicle History Reports, new and used car reviews and test drives, finance and insurance programs, Credit Check services and 360-degree new car interior and exterior photos, as well as a variety of new and used car buying tips -- for all the vehicles mentioned here and more.

About NADAguides.com

N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides (NADAguides.com) is the world's largest publisher of vehicle pricing and specification information for new and used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, as well as van conversions, limousines, classic and collectible cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, personal watercraft and manufactured housing. The company's consumer website, NADAguides.com (http://www.nadaguides.com/), offers a variety of new and used vehicle services in addition to valuation information. Throughout its 74-year history, N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides has earned the reputation as the recognized authority for vehicle valuations. Its website, NADAguides.com, is the most comprehensive vehicle information resource on the Internet today.