How to Read a Window Sticker.

Anyone who has shopped for a new car has looked at its window sticker — if for no other reason than to check the price. But the window sticker also offers other information that can be useful to buyers. This article will help you navigate the sea of text and numbers on a new car's window sticker. The sample sticker above comes from a 2013 Ford Focus ST and highlights 10 key areas of interest. Keep in mind that the layout of a window sticker can change depending on the automaker, but the information on what the industry calls the Monroney label is required by law to be the same across all manufacturers.

1. Model Information
This is where you will find the basic model information for the vehicle. The section is usually located in the top left or right corner. It tells you the engine and transmission combination, exterior and interior color, the year and trim level of the vehicle. Checking this part of the sticker is the best way to quickly ensure that the car in front of you has the engine and color configuration you're looking for.

2. Standard Equipment
This section of the window sticker lists all items and features that are included in the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP). Items listed here should be consistent with any other vehicle in this trim level. These items are grouped into such categories as: Exterior, Interior, Safety/Security, Comfort/Convenience and Mechanical/Performance.

3. Warranty Information
This section lists the length of the new car's bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties and notes any roadside assistance package that the manufacturer offers. Some new cars also come with free maintenance programs, and that coverage is also listed here. If you want to compare coverage among automakers, Edmunds keeps a comprehensive list on the warranty and roadside assistance page.

4. Optional Equipment
In this section, you'll find information on the car's factory-installed options. Some carmakers bundle them into packages. Others offer them à la carte. Knowing a vehicle's options can help you price it correctly and make apples-to-apples comparisons with other cars on the lot.

5. Pricing Information
This is where you'll find the base price of the vehicle and a breakdown of options and fees. Other items that would appear here are the destination charge (cost of transporting the vehicle to dealer) and any gas-guzzler tax (levied on cars with a combined MPG of 22.5 or less). The total price of the vehicle is sometimes located here, but it often occupies its own space.

6. Parts Content Information
Vehicle manufacturing is often a global process. Shoppers who want to "buy American" may have to ask themselves whether a Chevy manufactured in Mexico is more American than a Honda made in Ohio. Answers to questions like that will vary. The parts content section lists where the vehicle was assembled and often the percentage of U.S. and Canadian parts it contains. Our sample window sticker doesn't have the percentages, but many others do. For more information on this question, shoppers can turn to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTHSA) Web site, which has the percentage breakdown of domestic and foreign content in cars from 2007 to the present.

7. Total Price
This section shows the total MSRP for the vehicle. That doesn't mean you have to pay this price, but it does give you a point of reference in your negotiations. Use Edmunds' True Market Value (TMV®) to help you determine a fair price. Depending on the demand for the car, sometimes this "sticker price" is a fair price.

8. Fuel Economy Label
The fuel economy label, also called an EPA label, gives you estimates of the vehicle's fuel efficiency. This block helps you compare the MPG numbers on one car versus another. The combined MPG number is the most prominent and most important figure to note. The EPA label is all new for the 2013 model year and provides more information than it previously had.

9. QR Code
Scanning this pixelated square with a smartphone camera links shoppers to the mobile EPA Web site. They can then customize their driving stats to get personalized fuel economy data. This article goes more into detail about how the QR code works.

10. Safety Ratings
NHTSA tests a number of new vehicles every year and issues star ratings based on the results. This information is in the safety rating section of the window sticker. Occasionally, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) scores also are displayed on the window sticker, as seen on our sample label. Because NHTSA doesn't test every car on the market, the safety-rating section will sometimes be blank. If this is the case, consumers can check the IIHS Web site.

Side Note: Supplemental Window Sticker
You won't always find this sticker on a new car, but if you do, think twice before proceeding with purchase negotiations. Dealers plaster the supplemental window sticker next to the actual window sticker and use it to list the dealer-added, profit-making accessories that are on the car. Here are some tips on how to handle what we call the "rip-off sticker."

"Sticker Is Quicker"
We once heard a salesman say this, referring to how much time could be saved if a customer would just pay the sticker price. We don't agree with that sentiment, but it's true that a new car's window sticker is the fastest way to verify the options on a vehicle so that you can accurately look up its TMV.

Whether you're shopping via the Internet and phone or in person, request a copy of the window sticker of a vehicle you are interested in. Once you have all the information a sticker contains, you can truly determine the best price to pay for a car that's right for you.

Congratulations to Mr. Doyal and Sara Manley!

The Manley's came to see me from Shelbyville Kentucky. Doyal retired from the Army National Guard after 40 years. Sara and him purchased a brand new 2013 Chrysler Town and Country Van! Thanks again so much for your business.

Whats my trade worth?

                           Here's another good question I get all the time with almost every deal I make; what is my current vehicle worth in trade? Well the truth is it's value is what some one will pay for it! That unfortunately is the real answer making valuing a vehicle very difficult, and there are no two cars that are the same.With that in mind this is the way most New car dealers evaluate your trade. Well what we don't use is Kelly Blue Book. you will never see a Used Car Manager (the guy who value's your car) look your car up using KBB the reason is they evaluate your vehicle across large areas first of all so it doesn't take in consideration local market value and can give you a regional price. KBB also only updates quarterly at best which doesn't take in consideration current trends in the market. On some vehicles I have seen KBB off thousands of dollars.What you will see on every Used Car Manager is Black Book and a N.A.D.A guide. The Black book comes out weekly and the N.A.D.A. GUIDE comes out monthly. They will also use local auction reports like Manheim. They will look at what cars similar to yours are going for at the action. The dealers that can afford it will also use a PC program called V-Auto. What V-Auto does is not only have N.A.D.A. VALUE built in but it allows the dealer to see every vehicle similar to yours  in proximity to there location and what it's selling for. So in other words they type in your vehicle Identification number or VIN and every car like yours in 300 miles pops up. What they sold for at action, what there priced at and where they are located. Giving them the best Idea of what your car is worth. Most people think that the Dealership wants your car to be valued for less, this is not true they want your car to be worth the most it can be. This helps the deal go smoother, a good value on your car makes negotiating easier for both party's. Now the dealership does make money off your trade but be aware that not all dealers are trying to rip you off. Most dealers will make room in your trade or even give you more then it's worth in some cases to make a deal. Understand the dealer takes your vehicle in for trade but turns around and takes all the liability for that vehicle. They have to pay to have a inspection for safety before they can sale it. The service center will charge 400.00 to 600.00 for this inspection to the sales department charged to that car. They will also have to fix anything wrong with the vehicle taking the chance that something they had no idea was broke has to be fixed, if not multiple items including O2 sensors, belts, brakes front and back, rotors, engine mounts, tires, transmission, engine, ect. So that engine light that's been on for a year they are going to fix that before they sale the car. This also will be considered in your vehicle appraisal. So there isn't a easy why to answer the question, but here is what you can do to protect yourself. First only shop at larger more reputable dealerships. They care about word of mouth and care about their customers. They would prefer to help you get the most out of your trade so that you continue to do business with them over and over again. If you are unsure how they come up with a value just ask WHY. Why is my vehicle worth that price; the dealership should easily explain exactly how they come up with the figure. If the sales person is new he may not understand how to properly explain how they come up with that number, feel free to ask to speak to the person who priced your trade in. They will know exactly how they come up with the price and can explain it completely. If they refuse to explain why Just go some where else there is no reason they shouldn't tell you. Get an idea before you go in by looking your trade up in N.A.D.A. it will not be able to give you exactly what your going to get but it will not be off 5000.00 dollars if your trade is worth thousands less then that value with no reason why you obviously have a problem. I never have a problem with the value of my customers trade in. The biggest thing is don't listen to what your friends say. It took me about an hour to properly write out a full explanation and I've been in there car business for 12 years, and I still can't value your trade. Used Car Managers have 20+ years in the industry in almost every case. So your friend that has never worked in the car business says your car is worth this or you should have got that for your car is wrong; if his idea of the value of your car is because he thinks so. I have no idea why people do that I have friends that do the same thing and then you start getting buyers remorse over your purchase. Don't let people rain on your parade Come see me or go to a reputable dealership ask why and feel good about making a educated decision. If you ever have an issue and need advice Call, text me 502-648-8118 or just post in the comments and I will be glad to help.

Chad and Ashley Reilly bought a used Ford Edge!

Congratulations to Chad and Ashley Reilly for the purchase of their preowned Ford Edge. Chad works at the Ford plant making the new escape and Ashley is an LPN. They are from Elizabeth-town Indiana. They came down to Louisville looking for a preowned vehicle. Thanks again for your business I'm sure your going To love your car!

Should I put money down?

Here's one of the important questions about buying your next vehicle. Should I put money down? The answer is a big YES! The first thing you have to look at is if you are buying a new car for example there are huge upsides like full factory warranty, perfect condition, sub-rated APR's and factory incentives. They also come with depreciation. It's true that new car will loose value as soon as you leave the dealership up maybe 15%. The reason for this is that the vehicle has been sold and the dealership punches that car sold to you. This tells the factory that the vehicle has been sold and at that point the vehicle loses all incentives from the factory and becomes a Pre-owned vehicle. With out any money down you would put your self in a position to owe more on your new vehicle then it's current value. A simplified example is you pay 20,000.00 for the car and 10% lose in value means that's 18,000.00 but don't forget you didn't put any money down so you financed you Tax's, Licensing, and applicable fee's. You can see very easily this putting you Up-side Down in your currently brand new car. Now let's look at the same thing in a Pre-owned vehicle. You run into the same thing, with out paying your Tax's, Licensing, and applicable fee's your starting in the wrong direction. Then add that when you purchase a Pre-owned or Certified Pre-owned vehicle the dealership pays for that car to have a inspection for safety and spends money making that car retail ready; you in turn pay retail value for that vehicle. So if you wanted to trade that car later on down the road you would get trade in value for it. Unless you sale the car yourself which can be a huge hassle. The next point is that because you put down 15 to 20% you also could get a lower APR from the bank by showing a bigger investment in the purchase. The point is money down protects you from being up-side down and can save you money in the long run. If you cannot put money down make sure to ask about GAP insurance this will be a godsend; it will protect you have an accident in your vehicle. If you owe 20,000.00 on the vehicle and it's valued at 16,000.00 by your insurance company GAP will pay the difference between what you owe and what it's worth. Imagine without it you could have a car that is totaled and you still owe 4,000.00 Dollars; it happens all the time. So save up a down payment and if you can't get some protection to cover yourself.

Upcoming posts!

I will be posting some information about Leasing explained, should I put money down, Financing explained, what is my trade worth, ect. I have so much I what to put on here it's just going to take a little time. I promise to post at least one article about how-to's each day until I cover the basics stuff at least.

James Hazelwood's Pre-owned RT charger!

James has bought 3 cars from me including this 2009 Rt Charger nice ride man!

2012 R/T Challenger!

This customer didn't want to be in the picture. They come to see me from Moorehead Kentucky just to find the best deal. So glad I could help with selling you your Dream car!

Sold a brand new SRT8 Jeep Grand Cherokee!

Congratulations to Ricardo Resto on the purchase of your new SRT8 Jeep Grand Cherokee!!!!

Hello Everyone!

Hello everyone this is the first post to my new blog. I would like to take the time to introduce what I want this to Blog to be about. I have sold cars here in Louisville Kentucky starting in 1999. I have always liked people and helping them get in there next vehicle, but I have found it difficult to help as many people as I would like because advertising is very expensive. I also a lot of the time can give expert advice to educate buyers about how to, what to, and even what not to buy. I also wished I could have logged all my customers and some of they're experiences where people could share and learn from it. This is going to be that place. I Started Selling Mazda, Vw, and Subaru vehicles and moved after almost 10 Years to the Oxmoor Auto Group the #1 new car dealership in Kentucky. I work at the Oxmoor Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Dealership at 4520 Shelbyville Road Louisville Kentucky 40207. This store is the #1 Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealer in Kentucky. I absolutely love this store and Our product. I hope to use this blog to help people Find a new vehicle that will suit all there needs and not break there budget, and post some helpful information and buying tips regardless if you buy from me or not.