MCLEAN, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 10, 2009-- For many new graduates, getting a diploma and getting a new car are rights of passage that go hand in hand. However, according to the Sixth Annual Rules of the Road Survey by Capital One Auto Finance, a subsidiary of Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE:COF), many young adults will be making the largest purchase of their lives without parental advice and devoid of basic financial information like their credit score.

As young adults prepare for this important first purchase, the Capital One Auto Finance survey found that many young people are navigating the car-buying process by themselves, with more than half of those surveyed (52 percent) reporting that their parents have not discussed budgeting for car expenses nor have they discussed auto financing options (64 percent) with them. With so many young adults finding the way on their own, the one piece of advice most baby boomers would offer when purchasing a first car is to do your research, compare prices, and shop around.

“Buying a car is not an intuitive process and it can be intimidating for first time purchasers, especially in such a challenging economic environment,” said Sanjiv Yajnik, President of Capital One Auto Finance. “With the increased focus on the economy and the importance of making smart financial choices, buying a car presents parents a great opportunity to teach their children the importance of creating a budget, selecting the right vehicle and choosing the best financing option for that vehicle.”

Capital One Auto Finance’s survey also compares the expectations of today’s first time car buyers with the experiences of baby boomer parents. Some of the most surprising results show that boomers and today’s young adults aren’t so far apart and that practicality is as important today as it was 30 or 40 years ago. Both groups named price as the most important factor in car buying decisions (49 and 41 percent respectively), and while car prices have increased significantly over the years, it is surprising that the young adults surveyed predict that their first car will cost within the same $1,000 to $5,000 price range that most baby boomers reported paying for their first cars. Not so surprisingly, most young also adults also plan to purchase used vehicles (67 percent).

In terms of paying for their new wheels, 65 percent of today’s young buyers expect to follow in their parents’ footsteps by paying for their first car themselves. Most also report that they plan to pay for their first car in cash (44 percent), up from 29 percent in 2008. Despite numerous financing options available to today’s young adults, fewer plan to take advantage of the benefits of bank financing (24 percent) than just a year ago (41 percent). While the vast majority of the young adults surveyed (nearly 82 percent) were aware that their credit score could impact the interest rate they would be offered, unpredictably, 72 percent of those who planned to finance their first car purchase through a bank or dealership had never checked their credit report.

“The troubled economy has definitely impacted car buying decisions,” Yajnik said. “At the same time, there are incredible deals available at dealerships across the country and a range of financing options are available. Armed with the right information, it is an excellent time to get a great deal, but it is important for first time car buyers to take the time to understand exactly what a car loan is, calculate what they can afford, understand financing options, and not to be forgotten - know their credit score and how that score could affect the terms of their loan.”

Helping Young Adults Navigate Car Buying in a Tough Economy

Capital One Auto Finance developed the following tips that parents can share with young adults to help develop the confidence they need to manage the car-buying process:

• Learn about vehicle pricing. Research new and used car prices including dealer invoice pricing and transaction costs (the Internet can be a great resource). Know what you can afford and use those target numbers as a reference point for your pricing information.
• Research and compare different financing options. There is a range of auto financing options available, including dealer financing, loans from banks and credit unions, and pre-approved no-obligation online loans. Researching your options and finding the lowest rate that you qualify for can save you a substantial amount of money over the life of your loan. It’s also critical that first-time buyers match the length of their loan to the planned length of ownership so that they do not become “upside down.”
• Treat the car-buying process as two separate negotiations. Determining the: 1) vehicle price, and 2) financing are two separate transactions, and you should negotiate each separately. This strategy will often help you save money. (If you happen to have a trade-in, consider it a third part of the negotiation.)
• Check your credit rating. Don’t assume your young adult does not have a credit history. Some parents have made their older kids authorized users of credit cards and cell phones, so it’s important to obtain a credit report to make sure the information is accurate before buying.
• Make sure you are comfortable with the contract. If it’s not the price or deal you want, be ready to walk away.

Financial Education Help

Capital One Auto Finance offers car buyers a range of information and tools to educate themselves, including a free, easy-to-understand consumer auto buying guide available at www.capitalone.com/autoloans. The guide’s topics range from budgeting, to learning about vehicle research and shopping, to understanding financing and payment terms.

Survey Methodology

The findings reported in this release are from an online survey conducted by the survey opinion research firm, Braun Research of Princeton, NJ. Braun Research completed interviews with 404 parents between 45 and 55 years of age, all of whom have at least one child and own a motor vehicle. In addition, Braun Research conducted interviews with 400 young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 years of age who are planning to obtain their first motor vehicle in the next year. The interviews were conducted between May 1, 2009 to May 13, 2009. The margin of error for this study is ± 4.9 percentage points for each group at the 95 percent confidence level.

Sampling for this study was conducted using a national probability replicate sample for the 48 state contiguous United States. All interviews were conducted using a computer assisted telephone interviewing system. Statistical weights were designed from the United States Census Bureau statistics.

About Capital One

Capital One Financial Corporation (www.capitalone.com) is a financial holding company whose subsidiaries, which include Capital One, N.A., Capital One Bank (USA), N.A., and Chevy Chase Bank, F.S.B., collectively had $121 billion in deposits and $150 billion in managed loans outstanding as of March 31, 2009. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Capital One offers a broad spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small businesses and commercial clients. Capital One, N.A. and Chevy Chase Bank, F.S.B. have approximately 1,000 branch locations primarily in New York, New Jersey, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. A Fortune 500 company, Capital One trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "COF" and is included in the S&P 100 index.

Source: Capital One Financial Corporation

Capital One Financial Corporation
Steve Schooff, 972-295-1676
stephen.schooff@capitalone.com