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decision of this magnitude, consumers need to be prepared when they enter the showroom.
Do some research. Check buying guides to narrow your choice in models and options.
Buying guides also help pinpoint prices.
Make safety a priority. Safety features such as air bags, anti-lock brake systems
and side-impact protection should be tops of your list. Also check for important safety
elements such as a right side mirror or a three-point safety belt system that has
adjustable shoulder belt anchors.
A weighty decision. Crash data show that heavy cars offer more protection than light
cars equipped with the same safety features.
Simple safety checks. During your test drive, make sure that head restraints, roof
structure or windshield designs do not interfere with your visibility. Look for interior
designs that avoid control knobs sticking out of the dash to reduce chance of injury.
Check out clones. Clones are nearly identical models built on the same platform and
marketed under a different nameplate. Prices and options vary. You could come out ahead
buying the high-end model - with standard ABS and dual air bags - instead of the low-end
model with those options added.
Shop around. Negotiate prices or enlist the help of a buying service. Investigate
financing options at the dealer and your bank or credit union. And check the fine print:
Does the contract include credit insurance, which may be available under an existing
policy you have?
Scrutinize service contracts. Does the warranty period overlap the service agreement
period? What repairs are covered and who can perform them? What is the cancellation and
refund policy?
VEHICLE RATINGS
The Importance of Crash Testing
Since 1979, NHTSA has been crash-testing vehicles through its New Car Assessment
Program. Crash-test results determine how well vehicles protect belted drivers and front-
seat passengers during a frontal collision.
During the crash test, dummies are placed in driver and front passenger seats.
Instruments measure the force of impact to each dummy's head, chest and legs. Tests use
all available restraints.
Federal safety standards require all passenger cars meet injury criteria measured in
a 30 mph frontal crash. NCAP tests are conducted at 35 mph to make the difference between
vehicles more apparent. Tests simulate damage equivalent to a head-on collision between
two identical vehicles, each moving at 35 mph. This is the same as a vehicle moving at 70
mph striking an identical parked vehicle.
Interpreting NCAP Crash-Testing Ratings
NHTSA recently revised NCAP crash-testing ratings to make them easier for consumers
to understand. A five-star rating indicates the best protection and one star the least.
Crash-test ratings are meaningful only when comparing vehicles in the same weight
class. Results do not reflect the extent to which an occupant in a light weight vehicle
could be injured in a collision with a heavier vehicle.
1995 NEW CAR SAFETY FEATURES
Manufacturers provide buyers the most complete information about standard or optional
safety equipment on their vehicles. Listed below are features that are especially
important.
Air Bags. Air Bags instantly inflate in frontal crashes at speeds as low as 15 mph.
They are designed to prevent occupants from hitting the dashboard, steering wheel or
wind
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