Kelley Blue Book
Used Car Guide:
Consumer Edition, January-June 2004
Editorial Reviews on Kelley Blue Book
(Kelley Blue Book Used Car Guide. Consumer Edition, Vol 12, January-June, 2004)
An essential resource for anyone looking to buy, sell, or trade in a used car, this portable volume provides the general public with information that was originally restricted to the automotive industry: original list prices, vehicle identification numbers (VINs), and trade-in, private-party, and retail values for vehicles, according to condition. First published in 1926 to help auto dealers, financial institutions, and others in the trade, the Kelley Blue Book has been available to consumers since 1993. This edition covers model years 1989 to 2003. Also included are values for additional options and equipment, a table of acceptable mileage ranges by year, and tips on buying a used car.
Blue Book Consumer Edition January-June 2004 - For only $9.95! Includes values for used cars, trucks and vans covering model years 1988 to 2002. The Consumer Edition includes three values:
- Retail
- Private Party
- Trade In
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Survey: Family Cars - The Controversy of Style vs. Functionality
| A recent New Vehicle-Buyer Attitude Study, conducted by the marketing research arm of Kelley Blue Book was released, giving consumers a voice on issues related to the 'family car.' The study shows that while minivans still provide some utility and many of the features desired by family car shoppers, half would rather be driving something else. 29 percent of those who say a minivan best fulfills their needs would rather be driving an SUV. |
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| Best Fulfills Family Car Needs |
SUV |
Sedan |
Minivan |
Wagon |
| Would Most Like To Drive |
|
|
|
|
SUV
Sedan
Minivan
Wagon
|
89%
10%
1%
0%
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14%
82%
3%
1%
|
29%
16%
50%
5%
|
6%
29%
0%
65%
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"What we see in this study is a style versus functionality issue," said Charlie Vogelheim, executive editor, Kelley Blue Book. "Minivans have long been associated with 'a car full of kids,' which may be driving newer younger families toward more SUV-type styling. But several new minivans are coming out this year with more versatile and functional features that may be able to break through the stereotype and be the family car of a whole new generation."
In ranking which vehicle-types best fulfill the needs of family-car shoppers, SUVs come out on top followed by sedans, minivans and finally wagons. Consumer concern over high gas prices and safety issues caused a five percent decline in SUV interest according to a Kelley Blue Book study conducted in March of 2003, however when it comes to the family car, 43 percent of shoppers say SUVs best fulfill their needs as a family car.
| Offering family-friendly features is one way manufacturers sway consumers toward specific cars, but the features families want may be a bit of a surprise. Based on the study, family car shoppers say they are looking for power rear up and down windows as well as fold flat seats, with entertainment packages and power sliding doors coming in at the bottom of their wish lists. Other top features family car shoppers find important include options that allow the rear passenger to control their comfort level such as rear climate controls. |
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Category
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Attribute
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Rank
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| Defining Factors |
Seats 5 Comfortably |
#1 |
| Attribute Importance |
Roominess / Comfort |
#3 |
| Feature /
Option Importance |
Power rear up / down windows
Fold flat seats
Rear climate controls
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#1
#2
#4
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Additional Statistics from the New Vehicle Buyer Attitude Study on Family Cars
- Those with a household income over $75,000 felt an SUV best fulfilled their needs as a family car while those with a household income under $75,000 felt a sedan best met their family car needs.
- Safety is seen as the most important attribute among consumers when buying a family car. Value for the money and comfort run close behind.
- While family car shoppers say storage capacity is not an important factor when choosing a family car, 73 percent of them say it will be used to run errands 'often' versus 44 percent of shoppers using the family car to transport children 'often.'
- Half of vehicle shoppers plan to spend between $15,000 - 25,000 on their next family car.
- In-market car-buyers say seating five comfortably and overall value best define a "family car" rather than a vehicle that is simply "big."
Demographic Information of Survey Respondents
- 57 percent of respondents are between 30 and 50 years of age
- 80 percent of respondents are married
- 54 percent have 3 - 4 people in their household
- Half of the respondents have an annual household income above $75,000
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