Tips On Buying a New Vehicle

NASCAR Legend and Auto Club Drive Home Tips for New Car Buying Just in Time for the Holidays

NORWALK, Conn., Dec. 14 -- As the green flag drops on the holiday shopping season, consumers are already outpacing spending forecasts. For the first time ever, the National Retail Federation revised its holiday forecast in the midst of the shopping season. The NRF now predicts this year's holiday sales will jump 6 percent over last year to a whopping $439.5 billion, compared to the 5 percent increase it predicted a few weeks ago.

What's the hot-ticket item this year? New cars are cruising to the top of many "wish lists." Statistics show December is typically a very good month for auto dealers, even high-end dealers. According to Autodata, December was the biggest sales month for luxury cars in three of the last six years.

"As we shift into gear during the holiday season, many have visions of sugarplums and sports cars dancing through their heads," said Brad Eggleston, vice president of AutoVantage. "Many grown-ups have a new car at the top of their list. To help you select the best gift for that special someone, there are a few things to consider before turning into the dealer lot."

"Sometimes to keep the advantage over the competition, it takes the latest car or truck to make it to victory lane," said Bobby Hamilton, NASCAR legend and AutoVantage spokesman. "That makes a new vehicle the ultimate gift for someone who's been good all year long."

Hamilton says that whether you're buying a high-dollar sports coupe or a sensible, but popular, hybrid, you'll need to do some research before you jump in the driver's seat. In order to not only negotiate the best price but also find the best car for your needs, he suggests you equip yourself with knowledge.

First Things First

Ask yourself what you use your vehicle for. Do you commute to work or take extensive road trips? Do you drive in the city or country? Do you need a lot of space? When you close these gaps from the start, you get to the finish line a lot quicker.

In order to streamline your search, focus on what's important. Price, size, engine type, style, fuel economy and safety are among buyers' main concerns. The internet provides more than enough information to help answer those questions. Resources include detailed vehicle descriptions, reviews, road tests and cost comparisons.

If, in the end, you still can't decide, calculate the cost of ownership over a five-year period by adding finance charges, fuel, insurance, maintenance and other such costs. One vehicle should surface as the best deal for your money.

Different Needs Call for Different Vehicles

Sedans may be the most popular vehicle type because of their all-around value, but they're certainly not all we see on the road.

If fuel efficiency is a top priority, hybrids are a no-hassle choice -- one that is quickly catching on, thanks to high gas prices. These electric-gas vehicles are now available in a wide range of sizes and styles, including SUVs and trucks.

If you're a performance-driven owner, sports cars and coupes deliver better acceleration and handling, though their limited interior space can be impractical for some.

If you've got family in tow, you'll want to shift gears. Luckily, wagons aren't just for the Cleavers and Bradys anymore. They now come in more stylish designs and usually drive just as well as a sedan.

Minivans can hold plenty of kids and cargo, and offer better fuel economy than the more popular SUV. "Minivans are definitely the more financially savvy choice," according to Edmunds.com, which Forbes named the best car research on the Web.

Today's trucks offer maximum towing ability and bed capacity. SUVs' popularity, in part, lies in their ability to perform like a truck and drive like a car.

Test Drive

First, address the interior. You'll want all of your priorities in line regarding space, comfort, features and so on.

Drivers spend almost an hour on the road each day, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's latest survey. Your test drive, on the other hand, is a brief time behind the wheel-and possibly the last lap of your search.

Concentrate on how the vehicle handles, steers, accelerates and stops. Drive a route with different road surfaces and conditions you expect to encounter. No need to rush.

Also, a salesperson is there to help you search. If you don't feel comfortable, move on.

Final Negotiations

Finance beforehand, if possible, and allow room in your budget for additional fees like tax and title costs. Then figure out your bottom line price and stick to it. Car salespeople may try to sell you add-ons, but don't pay for extras you were not prepared to buy. If you travel on dangerous road conditions, however, Consumer Reports highly recommends additional stability options for SUVs prone to rollovers.

Keep in mind that the sticker price is a suggested amount. This figure is "usually the highest possible market price," according to the Kelley Blue Book. The invoice price is what the dealer paid for the car (excluding additional costs such as advertising). Use this figure as your guide, and be sure to request price quotes from multiple dealerships.

Leasing your vehicle may mean lower monthly payments and a new car every few years, but mileage limits and wear and tear sometimes leave drivers with additional costs. Buying a car will mean higher payments, but also complete ownership of your car.

About AutoVantage

Members of AutoVantage (http://www.autovantage.com/ or 1-800-876-7787) can save from 5 to 20 percent on car care at some 19,000 service locations, including participating AAMCO, Firestone, Jiffy Lube, Meineke and American Car Care Center locations. AutoVantage also offers 24-hour nationwide emergency towing, roadside assistance, and lockout protection from its network of more than 10,000 emergency roadside assistance providers. Trip routing for maps and door-to-door driving directions across the U.S., and new car buying summaries including pricing info, equipment revues, road test highlights and safety data is also included. AutoVantage is offered by Affinion Group, a leader in the membership, insurance and loyalty marketing businesses, providing products and services that touch the lives of millions of Americans.

About Affinion Group

Affinion Group is a leading affinity direct marketer of value-added membership, insurance and package enhancement programs and services to consumers. With more than 30 years of experience, Affinion Group currently offers its programs and services worldwide through more than 4,500 affinity partners. Its diversified base of affinity partners includes leading companies in a wide variety of industries, including financial services, retail, travel, telecommunications, utilities and Internet. Affinion Group also has a growing loyalty solutions operation which administers points-based loyalty programs. Based in Norwalk, Conn., Affinion Group has approximately 3,600 employees throughout the United States and in 13 countries across Europe.