Car Window Sticker Basics

More than just a price tag, the Monroni is like a car's ingredients list

John Le Brie / autoMedia.com

Every car shopper knows to look at the window sticker for a vehicle's price. But that's just the beginning of what the sticker can tell you. For the savvy shopper who knows what to look for, the window sticker contains a wealth of information that, at a glance, can give you a quick profile of the entire car.

Vehicle Description

Generally, the top of the sticker has basic information about the vehicle, including its model year, color, number of doors and/or passengers, engine and transmission, and the all-important Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN should be the same as that displayed on top of the dash, at the base of the windshield.

Standard Equipment

This is a list of the features that come with the vehicle at no extra charge. Reading this carefully can give you information about the vehicle's drivetrain, suspension, steering, brakes, wheels, tires, safety equipment, and comfort and convenience features. Some of these items can be substituted for optional ones. Warranty information is also sometimes included in the standard equipment list.

Pricing

This is a breakdown of the vehicle's total price. Included are the following:

> Manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP): This is the base price without options or destination charge. The key word here is "suggested." As independent businesses, dealerships are free to sell cars either lower or higher than this price.