Car Window Sticker Basics

> Optional equipment: This is a good place to do a reality check. If a vehicle is loaded with options, its total price can swell dramatically. Ask yourself if you really need all the listed options, and if they're worth the additional price. Often a number of items will be packaged together as a single option group. Compared with buying the items separately, an option package usually offers you attractive savings. This is a value, however, only if you want all of the items in the group. If not, you could end up paying extra for the one or two features that you do want.


> Destination charge: This is the cost of shipping the vehicle to the dealership. The destination charge is the same for all models made by a manufacturer; in other words, a vehicle sold in one state will carry the same shipping charge as those sold in all other states.


> Total price: This figure is the combined price for all of the above. In addition to this, a buyer will also need to cover such expenses as registration, insurance, and taxes.

Dealer Markups
Occasionally, if a model is very popular—and particularly if it's in short supply—the dealer may add an extra charge onto the total price, called a market value adjustment (MVA). This lets him earn extra profit from the sale, and is usually printed on an additional sticker called an ADM (for additional dealer markup). Other items that can be included on an MVA are such dealer extras as paint treatments, interior dressings, and so on.

Fuel Economy
The gas mileage numbers printed on the window sticker are based on tests performed in compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These are estimated figures for city and highway driving, although they tend to be fairly conservative and can vary widely depending on the vehicle's condition and options, the driving conditions, and your own driving style. To get a more realistic perspective on what kind of fuel economy you may get, read the paragraph about "actual mileage." This section of the window sticker also provides an estimate of annual fuel costs, although, like the fuel economy figures, this can range by quite a bit depending on your personal circumstances. For comparative purposes, the sticker shows a range of mileage ratings for other cars within the vehicle's size class. Finally, in addition to fuel economy information, this part of the sticker also includes details about the vehicle's engine and transmission.