Car Handbook

Table of Contents

The following is a table of contents for the Car Handbook. You may click on the headers for more information on that topic.

Driven to Buy a Car?

  • Buying New vs. Used
  • Buying vs. Leasing

What Can I Afford?

  • Figuring It Out
  • Fixed Fees
  • Flexible Costs

Hit the Books Before the Accelerator

  • Consider Your Needs and Wants
  • Make a Safe Choice

Where to Buy a Car

  • It’s Gotta Be New
  • Selecting Used-Car Sellers
  • The Test Drive

Negotiate From the Driver's Seat

  • Playing the Game
  • It’s Not Over Until It’s Over
  • Closing the Sale
  • Minnesota’s Lemon Law

Considering an "Experienced" Car?

  • What’s a Used Car Worth?
  • Three Ways to Get What You Pay For
  • Can You Read Between the Odometer’s Lines?
  • Certified Used Cars
  • Your Personal Inspection
  • Beware of Flooded or Salvaged Used Cars
  • Final Issues
  • Signing the Contract

Get a Lease on Leasing

  • What Is Leasing and Why Is It So Popular?
  • Who Typically Leases?
  • Why Are Monthly Payments Lower When You Lease?
  • Beyond Monthly Payments
  • Leasing vs. Buying: When Ownership Is the Goal
  • How to Get a Good Deal
  • Turning Over Your Engine
  • What if I Want Out?
  • Buying the Car at the End of the Lease
  • Leasing Glossary
  • What the Leasing Company Must Tell You
  • Raise Your Leasing IQ
  • Final Questions

Words About Warranties

  • New Car Warranties
  • Used Car Warranty Law
  • The Buyer’s Guide
  • What if a Part Breaks?
  • Extended Warranties or Service Contracts

Wheels to Rent

  • Making Reservations
  • The Cost
  • Insurance and Waivers

Get Square on Repairs

  • Your Rights When Your Car Is Repaired
  • How to Choose a Repair Shop
  • Estimate the Damage
  • When to Get a Second Opinion
  • Get an Invoice
  • Resolving Disputes over Repairs
  • An Ounce of Prevention
  • What to Do if You Break Down on the Road

Resources

  • Top Ten Tips for Buying a Car
  • A Car Buyer’s Checklist
  • Car Pricing Comparison Worksheet
  • Insurance Comparison Worksheet
  • Car-Buying Glossary
  • Top Ten Tips for Leasing a Car
  • Sample Leasing Form

Related Posts

Car Laws

Are you having trouble with a new car you just bought? Is your “new” used car making strange noises? Maybe you had trouble with a repair shop? This brochure is designed to guide you through Minnesota's Lemon Law, Used Car Warranty Law and Truth in Repairs Law. Buckle your seat belt, this is going to be a quick ride through "Car Law 101."

Used Car Shopping

Consumers buying a used car need to be diligent about making sure they're getting their money's worth. Used cars may come with a history of accidents, repairs, rattles, dents, and dings. The Attorney General's Office encourages consumers to consider the following information when purchasing a used car.

Online Car Sales

Although it may be an effective tool in locating potential buyers and sellers, the internet can also be a haven for fraudulent actors looking to make easy money at the expense of others. A current car scam illustrates the point.