Car Pricing on the Internet

1. Identify a car that you would like to purchase.  It may be your dream car or something reasonable for your current situation.  Please select a new car rather than a used car. 
2. Visit Consumer Reports On-line (or find the ratings in a Consumer Reports issue at the library) and print out their review and recommendations for that particular car. To enter the website, use the following information:  username:  fcs2teach; password:  gc203.  (You may also access this information in the magazine, but you may have to search for the right issue.)
3. Visit one of the following two sites that give new car pricing: Edmunds or Kelly Blue Book.  Select a car and the options you would be interested in buying. List the base price of the car with standard equipment, the suggested retail price for the car with standard equipment, and then list each option you would choose to add to your car.  Include the base price and suggested retail price for each option. Fill in the accompanying chart as you go.
4. Add in a reasonable profit. (The dealer expects to earn $400 - $800 per car, depending on the type of car. Economy models would be lower while luxury models and SUVs would be higher.)
5. Estimate the amount you could save by bargaining and figure your total cost. Then answer the questions following the chart.

11. If you choose to do so, how much do you think you could save by bargaining for this car?  (1 point)

12. Explain why you should NOT add profit to the suggested retail price.  (1 point)

13. Was the time and effort involved in researching a car worth the savings you anticipated?  Why or why not?  (1 point)

14. How can these web sites help you when making future auto purchases?  (1 point)

15. Based on this unit, what THREE suggestions would you have for a friend buying his/her first car?  (3 points)

The research you find and report from Consumer Reports is worth 6 points