Columbia Missourian Newspaper 1972-12-10

              i k kNow OPTIONS t i Now youve you've selected your special one from one ot of the four categories What options should I get is probably what you want to know next But first how much money do you have to spend Better decide how much youre you're willing to sink ina in ina ina a car now that youve you've decided what type of car you need Lets Let's say youve you've settled on a compact because youre you're single economy economy minded and your town is short on parking turf to say nothing of driving driving driving ing space But which compact and options You can spend from 1900 to on compact sized cars depending on the model and other considerations You must figure out other expenses before considering options Figure on gasoline oil maintenance state and local taxes and dealer preparation charges And of course insurance Total these items and you will have an idea of how much you have left to spend on options for the car Unless you own a compact power steering and brakes would be a good investment not only because of convenience in driving but because of resale value later Nobody but nobody prefers a car without them Automatic transmission transmission is another good choice as most people prefer to leave the shifting to the little men in the gearbox Again resale value is enhanced A radio is desirable not only for enjoyment but for safety keeping your eyes wide open and informing you of hazardous conditions on the road ahead if they exist Anything over these basic options is your own personal taste And your wallets One word of caution though Be careful how much extra equipment you order especially if you are buying a compact Remember that gas mileage you were interested in Extra options will make sav sav- savings savings savings ings in in gas disappear in no time Compacts say dealers are really not designed to carry heavy op op- Engines are designed specifically with economy in mind not reclining this and revolving that To support all those fancies the engine will have to work harder and so will you to makeup make makeup up for extra money spent on gas And that's no fun on a new graduates graduate's a week paycheck S J O Now you have settled on your needs operating expenses and op- op options op op- options options and you decide is the limit you can spend on a car What next Be prepared to shop around Dont Don't settle for the first set of hubcaps hub hub- hubcaps hubcaps caps you see Try several makes But whatever you do remember that budget Stick with it it and get getas getas getas as much car as you can for the price Look for several good dealers If you belong to a credit union or your parents belong give them a call They may have lists of dealers they can recommend and sometimes those dealers will give discounts for members of such organizations One teachers teacher's credit union in a large city provides such lists and dealers return the favor by lopping off sizeable discounts to the customer Call the Better Business Bureau if your town has one Columbia They may be able to tell you which dealers have records of poor business or service practices and you can save yourself grief by avoiding such dealers You should visit the dealers dealer's service department Is it large enough to handle service problems problems problems lems Is it cramped Take a alook alook alook look at the lot outside the service department or wherever customers' customers cars are parked when waiting for service Is the lot packed pack pack- packed packed ed with cars waiting for service That's a clue to possible slow customer service Now that you have settled on two or three dealers drive the car Dont Don't just drive it around the lot smooth you wont won't be driving on surfaces later Are the seats com com- comfortable comfortable comfortable Are all the controls easy In roar reach and 14 the Iho th a 00 es e a s y In tn t lu o 10 LV to a II anu all me gauges g ug U easy read Quality control is important too Does the trim fit correctly Are there any unusual rattles and squeaks Screws all tight If you run into one lemon try another car from the same line Everybody deserves a second chance But if that one rattles and squeaks and trim and paint is of poor quality you had better think twice about buying that make of car Look elsewhere Now comes the real business Ask the salesman at each dealer what his best price is for the car and the equipment and color you want Get it in writing and have the sales manager approve it Go to dealers two and three to use the same pro pro- cess You should in in other words have several alternative offers If you already have a car and you plan to trade it in dont don't mention it Get the offer on the new car first and then discuss the trade Otherwise you might be given a lower discount on your new car if it the salesman knows you have a trade When you and the dealer draw up upa a sales contract read the terms very carefully Make sure you understand all the terms the date of payment amount and other items Every blank space should t be I filled in before you sign THE WARRANTY There are a few more tips about buying a new car Before you decide definitely on your car check WI w it I the tho warranty terms Some com com- companies comi companies i cover the engine and drive train for 12 months or miles others cover those parts for 12 months or miles Sometimes the warranty includes some com com- components components components of 01 the car but not others One company covers the entire car except for tires for 12 months or miles Talk to the service manager and ask questions You may be using u that warranty sooner than you think so you should know all the terms of the warranty Another tip Buy a new car in the middle of the new car season or at least a few fow months after new car introduction New Car bugs and defects are worked out by that time and quality control will have improved Also by season mid-season the poorer of th the thA new models will have been identified by unfortunate owners You will hear about such models and can avoid them Leftover new cars for the above reasons are good buys Chances are you can get a 10 per cent 15 per cent or even 20 per cent dis dis- discount discount discount count on one of these cars just before the start of the new model year You may not be able to get just the right equipment and color com com- combinations combinations combinations but the car will be a bargain if you want to compromise a bit Selection depends upon how much in demand your particular model was during the season Now it is time for you to consider financing First there are credit unions such as teachers teacher's credit unions Interest rates are generally quite reasonable and payments can be made to suit your budget and your pay periods For example in ina ina ina a large city the teachers teacher's credit union there will not make you pay your monthly installments until September 1st or thereabouts if you buy your car after school dismisses in June This benefit is given because teachers' teachers jobs are seasonal and they dont don't draw checks during the summer And as mentioned earlier credit unions can provide other useful in in- in formation Another alternative is to get the car financed through the dealership This is one route you youcan youcan youcan can take if you dont don't have the 20 to 25 per cent of the sticker cost of the car as down payment that many banks require before they will finance the car Some dealers dont don't have the 20 to 25 per cent re requirement re- re requirement requirement but interest rates may maybe maybe maybe be higher Shop around and com com- compare compare compare pare each dealers dealer's plans One auto manufacturer offers a credit plan tailored to college students about to graduate Called the graduate deferment plan it is based on low monthly payments and minimal down payments For example on a car costing 2810 you would pay perhaps down payment and about 40 a month for up to ten months After this the monthly payments would be or a little more but you would be settled in a job and have paid off some major expenses perhaps so you may be better able to cope with a higher car note The plan is based on the tM idea that young people need a car to start work and that a college student who earned his way through school is trustworthy enough to make down payments and deserves a break One salesman called it a good faith plan Then there is bank financing Terms vary from bank to bank so 80 check with several banks to get the best plan for you First remember you might have to have that 20 to 25 per cent of the sticker price of the car to finance it Most banks will finance 75 per cent to 80 per percent percent percent cent of the cost of the car over that initial down payment But to go goevert even evert this far you'd better have good credit references no unpaid or late bills or no credit problems problems lems lema If you dont don't yet have credit references some banks will accept your financing many wont You'll also need a good character reference and capability to pay payback payback payback back the loan meaning a steady job for some time But if you just got out of school and you have never had a permanent job and you need a car most banks will take you on provided you have the down payment have been on the job a month or so and have a good character reference from your employer Interest rates vary from bank to bank so check around for the best deal you can get There are other sources of auto financing but these are the three basic types that most people use Be certain you understand every term of the agreement before you sign a 1 AND ANI INSURANCE E Ete te Insurance of course is the next stop for you In many states those wide oval tires and dual exhausts wont won't see pavement without it The first person to see is an insurance agent after you select a new car li in order to be sure you can get in insurance in- in insurance insurance for it before you purchase it High performance cars are usually uninsurable Before purchasing the car you should st check to see if the weight to horsepower ratio is ten to one or less 9 to 1 8 to 1 If your set of hubcaps has a 10 to 1 ratio or more pick another car You have selected a high performance car which is uninsurable in many cases or will cost to 1000 a year to insure And that is if you get on your parents' parents insurance All agents have a copy of a book call call- called called called ed Red Book which gives the weight to horsepower ratio and other information Call your agent and make it your business to find out about your particular car The whole line of reasoning behind the weight to horsepower ratio is that the smaller the car and the larger uger the engine in the small car the less likely it will be able to handle the extra power safely or even marginally Bigger cars with the same size alze engine will have no problems problems lems lema in this area araa Some insurance companies offer discounts of various kinds Some allow discounts for compact cars as as' mentioned earlier There is usually about a 10 per cent discount for drivers driver's education or for a safe driving record meaning no ac ac- accidents accidents accidents or traffic violations The 1973 models get discounts of various sizes because of stronger bumpers designed to withstand certain certain certain tain types of collisions If you have havea a good academic record some in insurance in- in insurance insurance companies give you a dis dis- discount discount discount count for that too It is up to you to see which if any of these dis dis- discounts discounts discounts counts apply to you Be sure to in In- In quire There are all types of auto in insurance in- in insurance insurance ranging from liability in insurance in- in insurance insurance for you covering c bodily injury and property damage to in insurance in- in insurance insurance plans for your car Com Com- Common Common Common mon car plans are collision in insurance in- in insurance insurance comprehensive insurance which covers your car for damage from fire lightning wind floods and other unsavory situations and other types of plans Again look lookaround lookaround lookaround around before buying Check with your insurance agent to design and tailor a plan for you For most people it may be cheaper to get included on your parents' parents insurance because if they already own one or two cars the charge for an extra car insurance plan with the same company is minimal compared to prices you would pay for your own policy For some policies you must be a part time driver for others not It sim sim- simply simply simply ply pays to check around and in In- In Congratulations You have passed and successfully completed one of the most important and enjoyable investments of your life A car Q II