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Jaguar and Lexus Top List of Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Programs

6 October 1999

Jaguar and Lexus Top List of Best Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Programs; First Ever Ratings of Certified Used Car Programs

    CAMPBELL, Calif.--Oct. 6, 1999--For the first time, manufacturers' certified pre-owned vehicle programs have been rigorously analyzed to determine which represent the best offering to consumers.
    Of the 21 different programs offered nationally by 30 manufacturers, Jaguar and Lexus were judged to be the overall winners in this, the first study by IntelliChoice. The inspection lists, warranties, roadside assistance benefits and more were measured and compared to determine which programs offered the most benefit to buyers of certified pre-owned vehicles.

     Top 5 Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Programs

     Ranking          Manufacturer
     1 (Tie)          Jaguar
     1 (Tie)          Lexus
     3                Mercedes Benz
     4                BMW
     5                Honda

    "The complexity of these programs and the hype that surrounds them make it difficult for consumers to compare certified pre-owned programs," said Kevin Dulsky, president of IntelliChoice. "The differences are significant and not always readily apparent. Consumers really need to research these programs and then determine the benefit of buying a certified used car instead of just any used vehicle off a lot, or out of the classifieds."
    As an aid to consumers, IntelliChoice has posted a comparison of certified pre-owned programs on its web site (www.intellichoice.com) along with helpful suggestions for those shopping for a pre-owned vehicle.
    As part of IntelliChoice's analysis, a standardized inspection list of 141 items was developed with the assistance of Certified ASE instructors and technicians. Each manufacturer's inspection list was then compared to IntelliChoice's standard. IntelliChoice also utilized consumer preference data from CNW Market Research that identifies which components of certified programs are most important to consumers shopping for used cars.

IntelliChoice evaluated the performance of each of the programs
 on four criteria:

1.  Inspection Lists
2.  Warranties
3.  Roadside Assistance
4.  Exchange/Return Provisions


The most important considerations for consumers shopping for certified
pre-owned vehicles are the inspections and warranties offered by the
manufacturers. The best manufacturer programs in these two categories
are:

-- Chrysler -- Best Inspection List
-- Jaguar   -- Best Warranty


IntelliChoice recommends that consumers use the following guidelines
when shopping for a certified pre-owned vehicle:

1.   Ask to see the completed inspection report for the vehicle you
     are considering.
2.   Find out how much additional warranty the program offers beyond
     the balance of the new car warranty that the buyer may already be
     entitled to.
3.   Look for deductible payments that may be required for warranty
     work or roadside assistance.
4.   Assess the value of roadside assistance if you already have
     coverage from your automobile club or insurance carrier.

    IntelliChoice, a California-based company founded in 1986, is the authoritative source for consumer automotive information. It is the only company that tells consumers how much it really costs to own a car or truck and publishes the total cost of ownership for both new and pre-owned vehicles. The company provides comprehensive leasing analyses, as well as new and used car reports that include pricing, feature and specification data. Consumers can access the comprehensive research compiled by the company at www.intellichoice.com. IntelliChoice is a PRIMEDIA company.