New Cars

For many people, a new car is the second most expensive purchase they'll make during their lifetimes, and it's important to understand how car manufacturers and dealers determine prices, and how to negotiate the best discounts and rebates. There are four main prices that apply to any new car.

If you're looking for a new car, you'll probably want to shop various dealerships to find the make and model you like. If you're lucky, you may find the exact car you want on a car lot.

There are certain things you can do to make ordering a new car easier and less expensive. First, you should find several you like that fall within your price range.

The law defines a 'lemon' as a new vehicle that requires such repairs as to significantly impair its use, safety, or value. Three main areas of legislation make up the so-called 'lemon laws'.

Lemon laws protect consumers when their newly purchased automobiles have serious defects. Also known as Warranty Acts, these laws grant owners full compensation for their vehicles when certain defects are not corrected within the car's warranty period.

A rebate is a manufacturer's incentive program designed to increase the sales of slow-selling cars or to reduce the inventories of a particular model. It is like a manufacturer's coupon passed on to the buyer, and can take different forms.

There are four main prices that apply to a new vehicle. In ascending order, these are the invoice price, the base price, the Monroney (mon-ROH-nee) sticker price, and the dealer sticker price.

A sticker price, or list price, is the dealer cost plus an additional 10 to 15 percent markup. Different factors may contribute to a car's sticker price, including inventory and time of year.

Tires are an important part of your new car, greatly affecting safety and performance. When you purchase a new vehicle, you can expect it to come equipped with a standard tire of a type recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer.

When purchasing tires, you will find there are many kinds and brands available. Various manufacturers offer tires in low, mid and premium grades and in a variety of sizes and weights.