Introduction
We as people and specifically Americans use cars to get everywhere! We are very much so
dependent on our vehicle! So what happens if your family car breaks down? Or your mom
or dad gets a bonus at work and wants to spend the money on the newest, coolest car.
Today is your chance to be in charge of this important task!
Through this WebQuest you will research different vehicles: cars, trucks, vans, whatever
you choose. You will determine the cost of buying this vehicle as well as the cost to
maintain this vehicle. After determining the cost of the vehicle, the annual fuel cost, and
annual insurance, you will determine which vehicle is most cost efficient for your family.
Process
To begin this WebQuest, you must first determine the purchase price of the vehicles you are
choosing to compare. Use the list of websites below in Step #1 to help find your vehicles
and their MSRP price.
Step #1 - Determine Vehicle
You need to answer the following questions with each vehicle you choose. Please answer the
following questions on a separate piece of paper.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Year
Make
Model
Purchase Price
Annual Fuel Cost
Annual Insurance Cost
Total Annual Operating Cost (annual fuel cost + annual insurance cost)
Below are the websites for new cars:
Ford
Chevrolet
Dodge
Toyota
Honda
or any other manufacturer you choose
Step #2 Determine Vehicles' Cost of Fuel
To determine your vehicles' annual cost of fuel, use the Government's Fuel Economy Website. Make sure
to fill in this data on your separate piece of paper.
Step #3 Determine Vehicles' Cost of Insurance
To determine your vehicles' annual cost of insurance, go to http://money.msn.com/auto-insurance/autoinsurance-quotes.aspx and use the Compare Car Insurance table. Again, make sure to fill in the data on
your separate piece of paper. ****If your vehicle is not listed, choose the most similar vehicle to it as
possible. Such as a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and a GMC Sierra 1500 are similar.
Step #4 Create a Table to Analyze Your Vehicles' Cost of Ownership (price + fuel + insurance)
Create a table in Excel analyzing each Vehicles' Cost of Ownership. In column 1 of the table, label year
and type years 0-10. In the next two columns, type each of your vehicles. In year zero type the initial price
of each vehicle. In year one type the initial price plus the annual cost (cost of fuel + cost of insurance).
Complete the table for all 10 years by adding another year of annual cost each time.
Hint: In Excel after entering the data for year zero and year one, your can highlight the two cells then click
on the bottom right corner and drag to highlight all the remaining cells. Once released, the table will be
automatically filled in for you.
Below is an example:
2013 Nissan
Pathfinder
Year
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
37,000
39,488
41,976
44,464
46,952
49,440
51,928
54,416
56,904
59,392
61,880
2013 Chevrolet
Tahoe
34,500
37,290
34,500
37,290
34,500
37,290
34,500
37,290
34,500
37,290
34,500
Step #5 Create a Graph to Analyze Your Vehicles' Cost of Ownership
Using Excel and the data you have already entered, create a graph of each Vehicles' Cost of Ownership.
From the table and the graph, determine which vehicle is financially wise for you and your family to
purchase.
Print your table and graph.
Step #6 Summary
Answer the following questions as a summary of the WebQuest. Answer these questions on your
separate piece of paper.
1. Which year would both vehicles have the same cost of ownership? If this cannot easily be seen
on the graph, estimate this cost.
2. Which vehicle would you purchase? Why? Explain this reason in at least one paragraph.
3. What is the slope of each linear equation representing? How does the slope effect the cost of
each vehicle?
4. What is the y-intercept of each linear equation representing? How does the y-intercept effect the
cost of each vehicle?
Step #7 Turn In Your Project
Turn in the printed table and graph and separate piece of paper with the answers to all the questions.