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  3. Buying a New Car Decide What You Can Afford, Want, and Need A car is one of the most important and costly purchases you

Buying a New Car Decide What You Can Afford, Want, and Need A car is one of the most important and costly purchases you

admin2010-06-01  42
问题                      Buying a New Car
    Decide What You Can Afford, Want, and Need
    A car is one of the most important and costly purchases you may make. By preparing yourself before you start shopping for a car, you can make the buying process much easier. Besides helping you decide what is best for you, your research and preparation will help you get the best deal.
    Some people may have saved enough money to be able to pay cash for a new car. Others must finance the purchase. Take a careful look at your budget to determine how much you can afford to spend as a down payment on a new car and how much you can spend on monthly payments.
    Once you have decided on your price range, decide what type of car you want and need. When making this decision, consider how many passengers will be riding in the vehicle and the kind of driving you do. While a sports coupe(双座四轮车) might be just what you need to get back and forth to work, a larger vehicle may be in order if you need the car to shuttle children to and from various activities.
    Information Equals Bargaining Leverage (杠杆)
    Once you decide on the type of car you need, it is time to do your research to narrow down the choices. A number of publications and other resources can provide comparison information rating the vehicles within specific categories. Compare such areas as safety, reliability, fuel economy, warranties, operating costs, general features, and options when making your decision.
    Safety
    Consider the safety features offered in a car. More and more auto makers are offering air bags on the front passenger’s side, in addition to the driver’s side. Air bags automatically inflate (膨胀) on impact to provide a cushion.
    Other optional safety features include built-in child safety seats, anti-lock brakes, and traction control. Anti-lock brakes keep the wheels from locking up and skidding out of control when the driver slams on the brakes suddenly, or hits a slick spot in the road. Also, consider whether the car has good outward visibility, and whether or not the gauges on the instrument panel are easy to read.                   Reliability
    A number of sources compare maintenance costs on vehicles and have compiled information about repairs that are likely with particular models. Information is also available on the number of complaints filed about particular cars.
    Fuel Economy
    Mandated(批准) by federal law, fuel economy has improved over the years. The average fuel economy is now more than 28 miles per gallon. Federal law requires an Environmental Protection Agency label to be placed on the window of every new car, listing average fuel economy for city and highway driving according to EPA tests. The ratings are intended to be a comparison between models. Depending on how and where you drive, your actual mileage may not match the estimates.
    Warranties
    Compare each car’s warranty coverage, which may vary widely among car manufacturers. Consider the length of the warranty, mileage limits, and deductibles. Some cars have basic warranties, which cover the entire vehicle, while others have limited warranties.
    Operating Costs
    A number of publications offer estimates on what it costs to operate a car in a year’s time. These costs vary greatly from one model to another, with luxury cars costing more than economy cars. The factors included in operating costs arc fuel, oil, maintenance, and tires. Other costs associated with ownership, which also vary greatly, are insurance, depreciation, taxes, and licensing.
    General Features
    Consider your particular needs when analyzing different vehicles, For instance, if you need a lot of trunk space for hauling groceries, baseball equipment, or boxes of supplies for your office, choose models with larger trunks.
    Give Yourself Flexibility
    Do not narrow your choice to just one car -choose three or four that suit your needs and your wallet. One of the biggest mistakes new car shoppers make is being so set on buying a certain type of car that they lose the power of negotiation.
    Take a Test Drive
    Now that you are ready to visit a showroom, it is time to test drive the cars that interest you. Only by taking a test drive can you determine if the car suits your needs and tastes. Items to include on the checklist are:
    Visibility. Can you see the end of the hood and the trunk? Does any part of the car block your vision? Can you easily see all the mirrors?
    Safety features. Check for manual or automatic seat belts, air bags, anti-lock brakes, and child safety locks.
    Steering wheel placement. Are you comfortable behind the wheel? Is it easy to adjust the steering wheel, the seat, and mirrors?
    Entry/exit. Is it easy to get in and out of the car from each position?
    Seating. Does each passenger have plenty of head and leg room? Check rear seats, too. Fasten the safety belt in each position. Each belt should fit snugly across the hips; shoulder harnesses should ride comfortably across the shoulder.
    Trunk. Is there enough space in the trunk or cargo area? Is it easy to get to the spare tire?
    Engine. Does it accelerate smoothly? Does it have enough "passing power?" Slow down and speed up a few times to check out the responsiveness of the engine. Does the engine idle smoothly, or does it appear to race?
    Braking. Take the car out to a stretch of empty road, accelerate to about 40 mph and make an emergency stop. Does the car stop in a straight line without pulling to one side? Do the brakes lock up?
    Steering/handling. When your grip is relaxed on the steering wheel, does the car drift? At highway speeds, does the steering wheel provide a firm feel of the read? Is the car stable when you turn comers?
    Noise levels. With windows closed, listen to the noise level. Listen for engine noises when accelerating. At lower speeds, listen for road noises and tire sounds. At highway speeds, listen for wind whistling outside the windows.
Financing Your Vehicle
    In deciding on a lending agency from which to borrow money to finance your car, you should obtain quotes from a number of agencies about their percentage rates and the total cost of the loan.
    Car dealers may also offer financing plans. Carefully compare these plans with others you may be considering.
    Try to keep the length of the loan as short as possible. A three-year loan with the same rate of interest costs you less overall than a four or five year loan. While you need to keep the payment within your budget each month, you also need to look at your total cost.
    Check with credit unions, associations, auto clubs, banks, or insurance companies to compare their interest rates and the total cost of loans.
    Ask if you will have to pay any fees if you payoff the loan early.
    Do not sign a contract before reading it very carefully and understanding all its provisions. If a clause concerns you, ask to have it explained, or if necessary, changed. Double check all the figures to make sure they coincide with what you have agreed upon.
    Consider getting pre-approval for a loan once you have chosen your lending agency. Some agencies will issue you a check "not to exceed" your pre-approved amount, allowing you to use the check like cash when you go car shopping.
According to the passage, the average mileage for each gallon is ______.
选项
答案28 miles
解析 在Fuel Economy中可找到答案。
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