COSTA MESA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 2003

Back to school means back to the grind for teens, but for those needing a car to get to school, the shopping process shouldn't be a grind as well. Today, NADA and AutoCheck released a list of the Top Ten Cars parents research for their teens. In addition, the two companies announced five back-to-school car-buying tips.

"Families often find the car-shopping process tedious and confusing," said Len Sims, vice president of NADA. "For parents, it's about finding a car that's safe, reliable and economical, and for teens, it's about finding a car that fits their image. Often, these two points of view conflict, making the back-to-school vehicle shopping process difficult."

A recent CNW Research survey indicated that parents of teens - and teens themselves - bought more than seven million vehicles last year. More than 40 percent of those teens work full- or part-time year-round to save up the funds for a car, with 35 percent of them making their full car payment following their purchase. Meanwhile, parents make the full car payment for 39 percent of their teens. The average price paid for teen cars was more than $6,800, while the average industry price was more than $8,100.

Trends for Parents and Teens Buying Cars

According to AutoCheck, the pioneer of the vehicle history report and home of the AutoCheck Safe Teen Drivers Program, parents used AutoCheck to look at the history of the following ten teen cars most:

Most experts, however, recommend for first-time drivers large or midsize vehicles with the newest safety features. Trucks or SUVs with a high center of gravity might prove to be more difficult to maneuver for less experienced drivers. Smaller cars don't have the safety ratings midsize or larger cars.
"When my husband and I were shopping for a car our teens would share, our main concerns were safety and reliability," said Ruth Mecklin of Glen Mills, Pa. "While our kids may have been in their teenage years, we were still responsible for them. At the same time, we were saving to send them to college, so we absolutely had to get the best value for our money. We knew we needed to tap into all information resources available to make sure we were buying an affordable, safe car that they would enjoy driving."

Tips on Getting the Best Deal

Parents and teens across the country echo similar concerns. So, when shopping for a car for a teen, AutoCheck and NADA suggest keeping in mind these golden rules:

1. Do your homework. Be sure to research as much information as possible before you visit your local dealer. Help narrow the search by answering the following questions:

How will the car be used?

What are the driving habits of the teen?

Consider the following factors - price, options packages, incentives and rebates, reviews, safety information and dealer inventory.

By doing your homework, it's feasible to find a vehicle that satisfies a teen's need for style as well as a parent's need for safety, affordability and reliability.

Whatever your school of thought, NADA offers a wealth of free, easily accessible information for both new and pre-owned car buyers.

2. Get a history lesson. If you opt for a used car, be sure to learn about its past by getting a vehicle history report at www.cccvette.com and click AutoCheck. A vehicle history report can help consumers avoid costly hidden problems, including major accident and salvage history, odometer fraud, flood damage, recalls and more. Each report comes with a Safety and Reliability Report offering information such as crash test results, recalls and reliability data. And, every AutoCheck Vehicle History Report comes with a $5,000 AutoCheck Certified History Guarantee.

3. Take a test...drive. Before you sign on the dotted line, parents and their teens should take their prospective vehicle for a test
drive. Driving it on various road surfaces and at different speeds will help gauge the overall performance and comfort of a vehicle.
Buyers should beware of engine knocks and pings, squeaking or grinding brakes, steering that pulls to the left or right, sluggish
acceleration, malfunctioning gauges, unevenly worn tires or unusual vibrations. Buyers also should look for rust, differences in paint
color, and unevenness or welded spots in the body and frame. They should smell for musty odors, which might indicate flood damage.
Excessively worn tires, gas and brake pedals, and seats on a low-mileage car may suggest an odometer rollback.

4. Pass with flying colors. If you opt for a used vehicle, take it to a certified mechanic for inspection prior to purchase. A trained
professional will either pass it for purchase or alert you to any potential problems and estimated repair costs. Approved inspections
give parents peace of mind knowing they're purchasing a vehicle that's reliable, safe and free of existing mechanical problems.

5. Don't forget your certificate. And finally, if you choose to buy a used vehicle, be sure it includes a warranty. Today, most pre-owned
vehicles come with attractive manufacturer certified warranty programs and most dealers offer extended warranty packages for purchase on vehicles that aren't certified. If you're buying a used vehicle from a private party and the vehicle's existing warranty has since expired,
there are a number of reliable, independent companies that offer affordable warranty programs. Extended service contracts provide
comfort to both parents and teens by covering most mechanical problems and/or other major repairs for the life of the warranty.

Safety First

Finally, keep in mind that teenagers might opt for other means of transportation besides cars, trucks or SUVs. More and more, young drivers are turning to motorcycles and classic cars as a way of getting to and from school, especially in warmer climates. NADA, the leading valuation authority for virtually every type of vehicle on the market, particularly suggests parents do their homework before buying in these situations, as certain types of motorcycles and collectible cars actually appreciate in value over time. While these vehicles might be good investments, both NADAguides and AutoCheck suggest teenagers successfully complete all driver safety courses and practice caution in their everyday driving no matter what vehicle they choose.

"AutoCheck and NADA provide powerful tools for parents, as well as their teens, hoping to narrow down to a suitable car that is safe and reliable. In addition, parents tell us they need information to impart during those 'teachable moments' when they, and their teen, actually get behind the wheel of their car. The AutoCheck Safe Teen Drivers Program (AutoCheck) is one additional resource parents and teens should consider to gather knowledge on safe driving."

About NADA

N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides is the world's largest publisher of vehicle valuations and specification information for new and used cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs, as well as van conversions, limousines, classic
and collectible cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, personal watercraft and manufactured housing. The company's consumer website, NADA , offers a variety of new and used vehicle services in addition to valuation information. Throughout its 70-year history, N.A.D.A. Appraisal Guides has earned the reputation as the recognized authority for vehicle valuations. Its website, NADA, is the most comprehensive vehicle information resource on the Internet today.

About AutoCheck

AutoCheck, the leader in vehicle history services, hosts a Safe Teen Driver Program at Corvette, Corvette for Sale, Chevrolet Corvette, 2005 Corvette, Corvette Forum, Used Corvette, C6 Corvette, 2004 Corvette, Corvette Accessory, Chevy Corvette, Used Corvette for Sale, Corvette Z06, C5 Corvette AutoCheck. The AutoCheck Safe Teen Driver Program provides key information to parents and teens on safe driving tools and techniques. AutoCheck also helps parents and teens make informed buying decisions about used cars through its Vehicle History Reports - available through AutoCheck and car dealers. AutoCheck Vehicle History Reports provide an instant background check on any used car, and help consumers and dealers avoid used cars with costly hidden problems, including major accident and salvage history, odometer fraud, flood damage and more. Based in Fairfax, Virginia, AutoCheck has been providing the truth about used cars since 1984 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of R.L. Polk & Company.