Buying a Car Webquest

Introduction

During this Webquest, students will explore the financial responsibility of purchasing a car, truck or van. Students will be responsible for researching which make and model of vehicle would be the most economical for their family and be able to explain the thought process of their decision. Students will also be responsible for exploring the annual insurance prices, annual gas prices and the annual cost of mantaining the vehicle.  

Task

As a future car buyer, you will be responsible for researching a variety of vehicles that are of different makes, models, trim levels, and colors. While researching, record the data that had been collected regarding the purchase price of the different makes, models, trim levels and colors. You will also need to determine the annual fuel cost and annual insurance for each vehicle. 

Process

Step 1: Determine which vehicle

For each vehicle, answer the following questions in an excel document.

1. Year

2. Make

3. Model

4. Purchase price

5. Annual Fuel Cost

6. Annual Insurance Cost

*Choose at least 2 vehicles to compare

 

You may use these websites or any websites that you find

New vehicles:

https://www.toyota.com/

http://www.honda.com/

http://www.chevrolet.com/

https://www.ford.com/

Used vehicles:

https://www.autotrader.com/

https://www.cars.com/

 

Step 2: Determine Aunual Cost of Insurance

Determine the vehicles annual cost of insurance. To determine this use the following link:

http://www.insurance.com/

Step 3: Determine Annual Cost of Fuel

Determine the vehicles annual cost of fuel. To determine this use the following link:

 https://www.fueleconomy.gov/

*be sure to record all information collected onto the excel spreadsheet that you created*

Step 4: Cost of Maintenance

Determine the annual cost of maintenance and repairs for the vehicle. To determine this use the following link:

https://www.edmunds.com/tco.html

*Does not always stay consistent, determine the cost for each year of ownership for the first 5 years*

Step 5: Create a Table

Create a table in Excel analyzing each Vehicles' Cost of Ownership. For each vehicle, you will need to calculate the cost of ownership for each vehicle for 5 years.

Ex. If the initial purchase price is $3000, annual fuel is $200 (you must also add the cost of maintenance and annual insurance for each year)

Years 1 2 3 4 5
Cost($) $3200 $3400 $3600 $3800 $4000

Step 6: Create a Graph

Use Excel to create a graph of each vehicle cost ownership. From the table and graph determine which vehicle is financially economical for you and your family to purchase. 

Print your table and graph

Step 7: Summary

Answer the following question:

Which vehicle would you purchase? Why? Explain this reason in at least one paragraph 

 

 

 

 

 

Evaluation

 

You will receive a grade based on the completion of the project.  You will be graded on each separate task.

  Poor (1) Average (2) Exemplary (3) Score
Determine Vehicle Student did not determine any vehicles to analyze for the project. Student only chose 1 vehicle to analyze for the project.  Student chose 2 vehicles to analyze for the project.  
Vehicle Information Student did not fill in any information for the vehicles.  Student only completed partial information for the vehicles. Student completed all information correctly.  
Stated Objective or Performance  Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting a beginning level of performance. Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting development and movement toward mastery of performance. Description of identifiable performance characteristics reflecting mastery of performance.  
Table and Graph Student failed to complete a table and graph about vehicles' cost of ownership.  Student completed partial information regarding vehicles' cost of ownership.   Student completed the table and graph successfully for each vehicle.   
Summary Student failed to complete the summary questions.   Student completed part of the summary questions or did not provide sufficient information.   Student successfully completed the summary questions with complete answers.    

 

Conclusion

You have successfully completed the Buying a Car Webquest. I hope that you have learned a lot about purchasing a vehicle and also enjoyed researching and learning about different vehicles.