Tips for accurate comparisons?

gctaylor11

With all of the options and accessories available I'm lost trying to keep track of them all. So when I compare car A to car B it doesn't seem possible to be accurate.

Are there any tips? I've thought about creating a spreadsheet to track each car but that seems like it would be a second career in itself.

This seems like it would be a common "problem" but my searches came back empty. If this is already discussed just point me in the right direction.

Thanks,
Gary

kyfdx

gctaylor11 said:

With all of the options and accessories available I'm lost trying to keep track of them all. So when I compare car A to car B it doesn't seem possible to be accurate.

Are there any tips? I've thought about creating a spreadsheet to track each car but that seems like it would be a second career in itself.

This seems like it would be a common "problem" but my searches came back empty. If this is already discussed just point me in the right direction.

Thanks,
Gary

Which cars are you looking at?

Karen_S

Have you tried Edmunds comparison tool ?

gctaylor11

kyfdx said:

Which cars are you looking at?

The piece I neglected to mention is comparing options that are seen on the lot or even on a web page describing the vehicle. Like a listing from a dealer or craigslist, etc. So let's say I go to a lot and find a vehicle I like. I could take a camera snapshot of the options from the sticker. Then pause the conversation with the sales person, go home - check those options, get a price back from a site like Edmunds here, then go back to the dealer and start negotiating. Seems inefficient and slightly inexact. I know I can use the app on my phone to eliminate the trip home, but I find the web app works better for things like this.

I guess I was hoping for someplace I could copy a VIN or part of a VIN, paste it in a field, and have it pop back the options and price. Then I'd know I was really comparing apples to apples. If I input the wrong options it can sway the price a lot.

Or some other trick that enterprising people have used.

I'm looking at used Toyota Tacomas.

Mr_Shiftright

Well no pricing tool will be entirely accurate if you don't know which options to plug in. Most dealer ads will list the options pretty thoroughly; CL listings can be spotty and might require a phone call. VIN #s carry some information but they don't drill down the option list--other than possibly trim levels and maybe type of engine and transmission.

Another way to go is to come up with your budget---your "out the door" price, tax, registration included, and then see what fits into that window.

In the end, there may be options you don't want or can't afford, so you can eliminate those from your pricing calculations.

kyfdx

Or, look for a Ford. Most of those dealers have a copy of the window sticker, online.