Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission: Buying a Used Car
Tips for high school students interested in buying their first car. This site will help them make informed decisions.
Read Works
Read Works: Getting a Car
[Free Registration/Login Required] A literary text about a family decision to purchase a car. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission: Are Car Ads Taking You for a Ride?
If you'll soon be bying a car, this article can help with understanding car ads.
The Federal Reserve System
Federal Reserve Board: Keys to Vehicle Leasing: Quick Consumer Guide
Quick consumer guide provides information on all aspects of leasing a vehicle to help you understand the costs and terms of a lease and shows you how leasing a car is different than buying.
Council for Economic Education
Econ Ed Link: Car Loan Project
Each student will buy (hypothetically) a car that will need to be financed. The student will need to look at different options and decide which will be the best choice for his situation. The student will need to find an advertisement for...
Other
Streetlaw: Consumer and Housing Law
Read about contracts, warranties, credit, deceptive sales practices, cars, and housing--important topics for consumers. This website provides introductory material to each of the above topics and links for further information and research.
Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission: Consumer: Car Title Loans
Tips for high school students interested in buying their first car and needing a loan. Learn about the high cost of car title loans and other choices you should consider that may be better options.
Energy4Me
Energy4me: The Cost of Car Ownership
An illustrated worksheet that allows students to calculate the real cost of car ownership.
Other
Debt: Auto Loan: New & Used Car Loan Options
This website outlines the potential sources where loans can be obtained in order to purchase a vehicle as well as the different types of auto loans.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: What Does That Car Really Cost?
In order for learners to grasp the total cost of their dream car, students must be aware of the hidden costs of a vehicle. This lesson plan will teach learners to shop for insurance and a deductible which fits their budget. Most young...
Other
American Financial Services Association: Understanding Vehicle Financing
[PDF] Students can use the information and worksheets in this brochure to understand how to finance buying a vehicle, and how car-buying fits into their budgets.
Other
St. Petersburg Times: Money Stuff
This resource makes finance and all aspects of managing money understandable, including budgets, banking, credit, buying a car, and more.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: What's the Real Cost of That Car?
This is a Commerce and Information Technology lesson plan. A project requiring research, critical thinking and complex decision-making about factoring all the costs of purchasing a large ticket item - a car.
Other
Americans Well Informed on Automobile Retailing Economics: Auto Financing 101
Information on financing a car purchase, including tips, a financing calculator, and a quiz.
Next Gen Personal Finance
Next Gen Personal Finance: Budgeting
Lessons and activities to teach students about creating and living within a budget.
Federal Trade Commission
Federal Trade Commission: Auto Service Contracts and Warranties
Help students understand if/when to purchase service contracts or warranties for their cars.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Automobile Choices and Alternative Fuels
This is an activity in which students take the role of either a car seller or a car buyer to learn about transportation energy options. Car sellers are challenged to pitch to buyers about cars with a particular fuel type while car buyers...
HotChalk
Hot Chalk: Lesson Plans Page: Purchasing Your First Car
This effective lesson plan has students searching the internet for an automobile which fits their specific criteria.
Digital History
Digital History: Consumer Economy and Mass Entertainment
This article traces the rise of consumerism; from the car to installment credit buying, and the rise of chain stores such as Woolworths.