2. How to Make the Best Choice when Buying a Car By: Amy Chavatel http://www.automobilemag.com/5_77_2011_812_77_662_1/used_2011_silver_subaru_forester_for_sale.html

3. What is the problem? O I am single and I just got a new job. I have salary of 26,000. I need to buy a reliable car that will get me back and forth to work.

4. Who is affected by this problem? O I am affected O My job is affected O My dogs are affected

5. How should I go about solving this problem? O First, I need to find a price range for my car that will fit into my budget. I calculated that a price between $15,600-$22,600 would fit into that range.

6. What factors will influence my decision about this problem? O Gas is very expensive. I want a car that gets good miles per gallon (mpg). O I dont have extra money to fix an older, cheaper, used car. O I have other expenses and dont want to buy a car that would go over my budget. O I can only drive an automatic transmission car. O I want a car big enough for dogs.

7. Where can I seek reliable information? O I can get information from my parents. O I can go on the internet at www.autoweb.com and get reliable information about different cars. www.autoweb.com O I can visit or call different dealers and get brochures and pamphlets describing different cars.

8. What is reliable information? O Reliable information is information that is true or can be backed up by data.

9. What information do I need to provide good reasons for the choice I select? O I need a automatic transmission. O I need a sticker price in my price range. O I want a new car that has a warranty. O I need a car with a good fuel economy and gas mileage. O Also I would like to have a car with a very good safety rating for me and my dogs.

10. What choices do I have in solving this problem? O A new Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 sold at CarMax for $52,500 - very expensive O http://www.mustangheaven.com/stangspecs/2008/2008ShelbyGT500KR.htm O A new Subaru Forester 2.5x sold at Subaru of Richmond for $22,420- can fit in my budget O Cite that the pic can from on the title page. O A used Nissan Versa sold at CarMax for 11,998- very cheap, could have problems to fix over the years O http://autos.msn.com/research/vip/overview.aspx?modelid=12190

11. What choices can I create that will be best for myself and others? O The two choice that I can create is the Subaru Forester and the Nissan Versa. O The Subaru Forester has a 5 star crash test rating. It also has a hatch-back for my dogs. It has a back seat that folds down to the floor and I can put it up if friends or family need ride along. It has a great gas mileage and fuel economy. It is all wheel drive and is great for snow. Also it is affordable. O The Nissan Versa has a 5 star crash test rating. It is very affordable. It has a lot of room but not as much the Subaru.

12. What are the short and the long term consequences of each choice? O Subaru Forester 2.5x- short term-larger down payment long term- larger monthly payments O Nissan Versa- short term- smaller and less room long term- unexpected repair costs due to 30 day warranty

13. What is my choice? O My choice is a new Subaru Forester 2.5x

14. Is this choice best for me and for others? O This choice is best for me and my dogs. It falls within my budget. I can afford the payments over 60 months. I do not need to borrow money from my parents for the down- payment. It is a safe reliable car that has good gas mileage and has a 3 year comprehensive warranty.

15. How would this decision affect the people I care about? O This decision would relieve the worries of my parents knowing that I have a safe affordable car that wouldnt leave me stranded on the side of the road or deeply in debt.

16. What if everyone made the same decision for this problem? O Everyone has different jobs and salaries. Some are single like me and others have husbands and children. They have different budgets and expenses. If everyone chose to buy a Subaru Forester 2.5x, they could go over their budget and spend too much or the car might not fit their familys needs.

17. Reflection questions?

18. Which car did you choose and why ? O I chose an automatic Subaru Forester 2.5x from Subaru of Richmond. I chose this car because it fits within my budget. It has good gas mileage and has a five star crash test rating. It is all wheel drive and will get me to work in snowy weather. It has a 3 year warranty so I wont have major repair costs for a while. It is a midsize car that is great to carry dogs.

19. Before this activity, how much did you think it would cost to own a car? O I thought that a car would cost around $6,000.

20. What were some of the costs you hadnt previously considered as part of a car ownership? O I learned that there are maintenance costs like oil changes, tires, tune ups, insurance and taxes that I hadnt considered when owning a car. Gas is the major expense.