This is an example of an activity
I did with my consumer math class. We studied the different parts of pricing an
automobile, and I equipped them with what they needed to be able to intelligently
shop for a vehicle. This activity really drove the point home...
Buying & Selling a Car Activity
In this activity, you are going to get to buy and sell a car. You must
be shrewd! Do you want to be in the money or out of it???
- Write your name in the top blank labeled "________'s
New/Used Cars"
- Turn your sheet over and look at the dealer's costs listed on the
back. Add them all together to find your total cost. Then decide how much
you want to add to that so you can make a profit. This can be very tricky,
bacuse you want to make as much money as possible, but you need to keep it
low enough that someone will BUY your vehicle.
- Adding whatever amount you see fit to the base price and options, fill in
the sticker price on the front side of your sheet.
- Leave your sheet on your desk, and wander around the room to see other people's
cars. When you see one that interests you, make a note. You probably want
to write down who's selling it, the name of the vehicle, and the sticker price.
- Back at your seat, using the consumer guide provided,
figure out the dealer's cost of the vehicle you're interested in purchasing.
Then, decide on what you'd like to offer them for their vehicle. Remember,
you're trying to spend AS LITTLE over the dealer's cost as possible.
- Make the owner an offer. If they don't like your price, they'll make a counter-offer.
Keep negotiating until you can agree upon a price for that vehicle. Remember,
if you don't want to pay what they want, you can look at other vehicles, you
don't have to take that one!
- Fill out the "Sold!To" part of the form,
and take your piece of paper so you can show your friends you new car!
REMEMBER: Your goal as the dealer is to get as much money as possible for your
vehicle, but as the buyer your goal is to spend as little as possible for your
vehicle. Winners will be picked in two categories: The dealer who make the largest
profit, and the buyer who negotiated the smallest profit...
____________________ New & Used Cars
'98 Escort ZX2 Coupe
| Sticker Price |
|
| Base Price |
$___________ |
| Options |
$___________
|
| Destination Charge |
$___________ |
| Total |
$___________ |
| Sold! To:___________________________ |
|
| Amount: |
$_____________
|
| Dealer Price |
$_____________ |
| Profit for Dealer: |
$_____________ |
Return to Instructions....
(...Back Side of Sheet)
| Dealer's Costs |
|
Your Profit |
Sticker Price |
| Base Price |
$5,215 |
+__________= |
$___________ |
| Options |
$732 |
+__________= |
$___________ |
| Destination Charge |
$175 |
|
$175 |
| Total |
$______ |
|
$____________ |
Return to Instructions...
Consumer Guide to New & Used Cars
| Name |
Base Price |
Options Price |
Destination Charge |
| '98 Windstar GL |
$7,234 |
$2,849 |
$225 |
| '98 Escort ZX2 Coupe |
$5215 |
$732 |
$175 |
| '98 Mercury Sable |
$7,935 |
$1,236 |
$125 |
| '98 Crown Victoria Sedan |
$10,260 |
$2,000 |
$200 |
(This page is LONG, 2 sides, with closer to 30 cars on
it...I've shortened it here for demonstration purposes...)
Return to Instructions...
