Row of used cars at a car dealership in Santa Monica.

The Wheel Deal (102)
Before you purchase a car, get the behind the scenes scoop from Karl Brauer and Philip Reed, both top editors at a consumer-geared automotive website. They're just a couple of the experts who will reveal the tactics and distractions that could prevent you from making the best choice, tell you how to test drive a car, and help you decide whether to buy or lease.

Finally, who better than Rosemary Shahan, President of Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety (CARS) and a California lemon-law attorney Elizabeth Agmon to tell you what to do if the car you choose turns out to be a lemon? Here's all you need to know about the Deal before you buy new Wheels.

---

Test Drive Tips:

• Find out what previous owners think of the car you're interested in.

• Do not buy on the same day that you look at a car.

• Keep the radio off during a test drive. This will allow you to hear the natural sounds of the car on the road.

• Drive the car as you might if you owned it, taking routes you regularly drive.

• Do not forget to examine details such as the cargo capacity, leg room for passengers, and cup holders.

Contact Information:

Karl Brauer
Editor-in-chief, Edmunds.com, a consumer-oriented automotive website
www.edmunds.com

---

Leasing vs. Buying Tips:

• To get a fair lease price, get multiple quotes from different dealerships. Make sure you compare quotes with similar terms.

• Consider that leasing will allow you to drive a new car every few years with lower payments, but additional fees will apply if you exceed your allotted mileage.

• Consider that buying will eventually save you money if you drive the car for several years.

• Buying offers equity and ownership and will leave you payment-free after four or five years.

Contact Information:

Philip Reed, Consumer Advice Editor
www.edmunds.com

Lease vs. Buy – Online Quiz
www.acvl.com

---

Lemon Law Tips:

• If your car's defect substantially impairs the 1) use, 2) value or 3) safety—you may have a good case for invoking the lemon law.

• Only 20 percent of the one million lemons sold each year are bought back.
  

  
  

  If you have a lemon:

  - Write to the manufacturer and be sure to send the letter by certified mail.

  - Give them a chance to fix the problem.

  - Don't wait more than a reasonable period for the manufacturer to resolve your issues.

  - Document everything, beginning with your first call or visit to the first garage to correct your car trouble.

  - Obtain a signed repair order with every visit.

  - Keep notes of all conversations with the dealer or mechanics.

  - Look for service bulletins from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that pertain to your vehicle (link is listed below).

  Contact Information:

  National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
  www.nhtsa.gov
  To determine whether any Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) have been issued by the manufacturer of your vehicle, consult this website of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

  Elizabeth Delevie Agmon
  www.lemoncarlawyer.com
  1-866-LEMON-INFO
  Ms. Agmon practices lemon law in California and is a referral attorney with the Center for Auto Safety in Washington, D.C.

  Resources

  Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety (CARS)
  Rosemary Shahan, President
  926 J Street, Suite 522
  Sacramento, CA 95814
  www.carconsumers.com
  CARS is a non-profit, consumer advocacy organization set up to protect consumers from auto-related fraud and abuse. It prefers consumer queries by mail.

  LemonLawUSA.com
  www.lemonlawusa.com
  Lemon law information for all 50 states. Lemon laws vary, so consumers are advised to research specific legislation by state.

  The Center for Auto Safety
  www.autosafety.org
  The Center for Auto Safety collects public complaints on vehicles to pursue recalls and mandate that auto companies take responsibility for defects.