|
|
|
|
IntelliChoice Value Rating
The chart above shows the purchase price versus ownership cost for each car from a specific vehicle class. The cars with better than average ownership cost/purchase price correlations are the best values, and these best value cars are represented by the dots below the curve. (i.e. the cars that have a lower ownership cost compared to its purchase price.) Those cars, which are worse than average or poor values, appear above the curve.
One way to view the graph is to draw a vertical line through any purchase price. You may see several dots that fall on this line - each of which is a car with a similar purchase price. However, notice the difference in ownership costs of each car represented by the vertical position of the dot. Two cars with the same purchase price can have thousands of dollars difference in ownership costs. This is what separates "good value" cars from "poor value" cars.
What is a good car value?
A "good car value" is one whose cost to own and operate is less than expected. The lower the cost to own and operate a car compared to what is expected, the better the value of that car.
But how do we know a car's "expected cost"?
For each car in the class, IntelliChoice plots the car's purchase price against the total five-year cost to own and operate it as determined by IntelliChoice research. Each dot on the above chart represents a specific car. Generally, we find that as the purchase price of the car increases, the cost to own and operate that car increases. This is why the dots on the graph tend to rise upward and to the right. This phenomenon also makes intuitive sense - as the purchase price rises, financing costs tend to rise, as do insurance, depreciation, taxes, and most other car ownership costs.
This is an important concept. It's normal for car ownership costs to rise as purchase price rises. Therefore, we can't just establish one "average" ownership cost number for each class, since cars in the class have different purchase prices. (This is why the "Relative" shown on each chart is different for cars in the same car class.)
Using statistical techniques, IntelliChoice "connects the dots" to form a curve that defines, for this car class, the relationship between the car's purchase price and car's ownership costs. This curve is our "expected cost" curve. The curve defines, for any car in the class, the five-year ownership cost that we would expect to see at each possible purchase price. If every car in the class were an average value, then all the dots would fall exactly on the curve. However, it's rare that any dot is exactly on the curve. Some dots are a little higher or lower, and some are a lot higher or lower. The dots that are a little lower are better than average car values, while the dots that are a lot lower are excellent car values (A dot that is a lot lower than the curve has ownership costs much lower than expected for a car of its purchase price). Conversely, a dot a little higher than the curve is a poorer than average car value, while a dot that is much higher than the curve is a poor car value.
Value is a relative term, not an absolute term. It is performing better than the logical expectation.
So is a Mercedes-Benz E320 expensive to own and operate? Certainly in an absolute sense. Most other cars cost less. But, when its cost to own and operate is plotted against cars with comparable invoice prices, the E320 costs less. So the E320 is not expensive to own and operate - it is a good car value. The Mercedes does not have low ownership costs, but it has low ownership costs for its invoice price.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Riverview Nissan Contact: Scott Mckenzie (888) 240-9940 |
2025 W Riverview Drive Mesa, AZ 85201 Dealer Specials | Website |
| |
![2004 Nissan Maxima]()
2004 | Nissan Maxima SL Gilbert, Arizona | Sedans | N/A | White | 61,060 |  | 17.2 mi |

2007 | Nissan Maxima SE Phoenix, Arizona | Sedans | $18,491 | Gray | 30,017 |  | 8.8 mi |

2004 | Nissan Maxima SE Phoenix, Arizona | Sedans | $11,475 | Gold | 86,340 |  | 14.9 mi |

2002 | Nissan Maxima SE Peoria, Arizona | Sedans | $8,266 | Gray | 85,488 |  | 23.5 mi |

2000 | Nissan Maxima SE Peoria, Arizona | Sedans | $9,968 | Beige | 56,140 |  | 23.5 mi |
|
PROFESSIONAL REVIEW
With a free-revving V6 engine, the Nissan Maxima has always been the mid-size sedan of choice for those who place driving enjoyment high on their priority list. The Maxima's credentials are impressive. All models come standard with a 222-horsepower V6 engine that is one of the best, if not the best, available today. A rigid chassis fitted with a sports suspension, four-wheel disc brakes, high-performance tires, and a five-speed manual gearbox give the Maxima a sporty demeanor, while sporty styling makes it look ready for action. The Maxima is practical as well, with roomier front seats and a bigger trunk than the Accord or the Camry. Nissan is celebrating a birthday for the Maxima this year by offering an SE 20th Anniversary Edition with performance and visual upgrades. The Maxima was totally redesigned and re-engineered for the 2000 model year, so it gets few updates for 2001.
|
2009 Nissan Maxima Is a 4-Door Sports Car starting at $29,29
Nissan North America, Inc. announced pricing on the all-new, flagship 2009 Nissan Maxima, which on sale now at Nissan...
06/26/2008 | 04:06 AM
|
|
2008 Nissan Maxima Goes Platinum For $1,350
NASHVILLE (Aug. 10, 2007) -- Nissan North America, Inc. today announced pricing on the 2008 Nissan Maxima, which is on...
08/13/2007 | 17:08 PM
|
|
2008 Nissan Changes - Maxima, Sentra, Versa
Introduced in the 2007 model year, Versa has been one of Nissan's hottest-selling models since it hit showrooms last...
07/02/2007 | 16:07 PM
|
|
2010 Nissan Maxima Heralds Diesel Decade
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 18, 2007) -- Nissan today announced its plans to launch its first clean diesel engine in the...
04/23/2007 | 21:04 PM
|
|
2009 Nissan Maxima Redux
In a move to restore its flagship to its four door sports car roots, Nissan has pushed the design of the Maxima's...
04/23/2008 | 20:04 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Masterpiece Maxima
Most companies start as the result of an individuals desire to be independent. For Stillen president/owner Steve Millen, the reason was fueled by a passion for motorsports. Approaching banked ...
more
|
|
|
|
|
|