ANCHOR LEAD
IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW CAR?
THESE DAYS, THERE ARE A LOT OF GREAT DEALS AROUND.
BUT BEWARE... THERE'S ONE CHANGE THAT MAY COST YOU THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS DOWN THE ROAD.
_______________ GIVES YOU A HEADS UP ON WHY MANY CARMAKERS ARE DOING AWAY WITH SOME POPULAR PERKS.

TRACK ONE Length: 06
THE REVVED-UP ENGINE...SHINY HUBCAPS...
FLAWLESS FINISH. THEY'RE JUST SOME OF THE THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT NEW CARS.

SOT
KEY @: 08 Karl Brauer, Edmunds.com
"Free oil change, free tire rotation, free inspection."

TRACK TWO Length: 08
WE LOVE THOSE THINGS, TOO. BUT THEY'RE QUICKLY BECOMING A THING OF THE PAST ON SOME MAKES AND MODELS... ALTHOUGH EXPERTS SAY CONSUMERS DON'T REALIZE IT.

SOT
Length: 02(Karl Brauer, Edmunds.com)
"A lot of them will probably be caught off guard."

TRACK THREE Length: 16
SOME CARMAKERS INCLUDING VOLVO...MITSUBISHI...
AND MERCEDES-BENZ...ARE PUTTING THE BRAKES ON FREE MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS.
THE NEW TREND? AUTOMAKERS ARE NOW OFFERING PRE-PAID PLANS THAT COST HUNDREDS-EVEN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
KARL BRAUER IS EDITOR IN CHIEF OF EDMUNDS-DOT-COM.

SOT
KEY @: 40 Karl Brauer Edmunds.com
"It's gonna be interesting to see how consumers react to this."

TRACK FOUR Length: 05
KRISTEN CHIP GOT A NEW MINIVAN RECENTLY.
SHE WAS OFFERED THE PRE-PAID MAINTENANCE PLAN... AND TURNED IT DOWN.

SOT
KEY @: 48 Kristen Chip, New car owner
"We did not feel it was necessary to invest extra money in that."

TRACK FIVE Length: 18
SOURCE: Edmunds.com
REGULAR MAINTENANCE WITH AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE FIRST 36-THOUSAND MILES WILL GENERALLY RUN YOU ABOUT 375-DOLLARS.

PRE-PAID MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS WITH YOUR DEALER COST ANYWHERE BETWEEN 400 FOR BASIC SERVICE ALL THE WAY UP TO THREE-THOUSAND FOR A REVVED-UP PLAN!
EXPERTS SAY FIGURE OUT WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU.

SOT
KEY @: 1:08 Karl Brauer, Edmunds.com
"It's something to think about --- the long terms costs of the car. And, maintenance is one of those key items."

TRACK SIX Length: 03
KRISTIN LOOKED DOWN THE ROAD AND DECIDED SHE'D RATHER PAY AS SHE GOES.

SOT
Length: 03 (Kristen Chip, New car owner)
"We're actually due for our maintenance at the 6 month marker!"

ANCHOR TAG
KARL BRAUER SAYS HIS ADVICE IS NOT TO BUY A PRE-PAID PLAN AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, BUT RATHER TAKE SOME TIME AND ASSESS HOW MUCH WORK YOU THINK YOUR CAR WILL NEED.
HE SAYS YOU CAN OFTEN GO BACK AND NEGOTIATE THE PRICE OF THE PLAN.
IN TERMS OF THE REVVED UP PLANS...THEY COVER NOT ONLY ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, BUT ALSO THINGS LIKE BRAKES, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, LOANER CARS AND ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE.

SOURCE LIST

Karl Brauer
Edmunds.com
2401 Colorado Avenue
Suite 250
Santa Monica, CA
310-309-6300

Karl Brauer is Editor-in-Chief of Edmunds.com, a consumer advocate web site that educates the public on how to buy a car.