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Here is a good list of resources so you can begin your research, |
ONLINE RESOURCES
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Acura
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Lexus
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Audi
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BMW
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Buick
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Cadillac
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MercedesBenz
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Chevrolet
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Chrysler
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Mini
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Dodge
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Mitsubishi
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Ford
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Nissan
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GMC
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Pontiac
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Honda
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Porshe
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Hummer
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Hyundai
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Saturn
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Infiniti
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Isuzu
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Subaru
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Jaguar
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Suzuki
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Jeep
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Toyota
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Kia
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LandRover
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Volvo
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You'll need the car's VIN number to get a complete history report.The cost is $19.99 for a single report or $24.99 for unlimited reports within a 30-day period.
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Consumer Reports
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You can buy a 1-month ($5) or 1-year ($26) online subscription to get information on new car prices, safety ratings, reliability ratings, and fuel economy.
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New Cars: Gives you actual dealer cost for the base vehicle and all the options.
Used Cars: Gives you the average dealer trade-in priceand the average dealer retail price.
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Kelley Blue Book
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Provides the same new and used carinformation as Edmunds. It also gives information on manufacturer incentives like 0% financing or $3,000 cash back for a particular model.
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NADA
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NADA stands for the National Automobile Dealerships Association. Gives information on new and used car pricing.
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Buying and Pricing Cars Online
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AutoBuyingTips
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Autobytel
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AutoTrader
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AutoVantage
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| Autoweb |
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CarBuyingTips
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CarMax
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CarsDirect
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Ebay
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iMotors
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IntelliChoice
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MSN Autos
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Fuel Economy
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You can customize an annual fuel estimate based on the cost of gas in your area, and the percentage of highway to city driving you do.
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Safety and Recall Websites
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Car Lemon
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State-specific, Lemon Law guides.
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Center for Auto Safety
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Has a database of carst that should be recalled or have been recalled. Also will tell you when your manufacturer's warranty will expire.
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Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
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Tests and rates off-set frontal crashes. Vehicles are rated as Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor.
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NHTSA
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NHTSA stands for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Tests and rates full-frontal & side impact crashes on a 5-star scale :
5-star rating is the safest (*****).
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Sources to Resolve Car Problems
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Better Business Bureau
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You can file a complaint and/or work with a mediation/arbitration representative who will help settle a dispute with represented manufacturers.
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Federal Trade Commission
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The FTC enforces theMagnuson Moss Warranty Act, which gives the consumer the right to sue a manufacturer for a lemon.
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NADA
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You can call NADA to report a dispute with a new car dealer, a problem with your car, or safety/recall information.
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AWARE
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Americans Well-informed on Automobile Retailing Economics. This website provides consumers with information, tools, and other resources to better understand the auto financing system.
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Car Info
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Secrets of the car trade from consumer advocate and auto expert Mark Eskeldson
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Car Talk
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Just for fun. Tom and Ray Magliozzi, otherwise known as Click and Clack of NPR's well-known radio show, Car Talk, host a web site full of laughs as well as good information.
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Federal Consumer Information Center
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Free online pamphlets on a wide range of car-buying topics. The printed versions are available for nominal fees.
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Gas Price Watch
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GasPriceWatch's US gasoline feature is the voice of consumers when it comes to American gasoline prices. They monitor gas prices across the country so you can search their database and get the best deal in your area.
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BOOKS WORTH A LOOK
What Car Dealers Don't Want You to Know
By Mark Eskeldson
Consumer Reports New Car Buying Guide
Edited by Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide
Edited by Consumer Reports
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