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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.
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Review From Truck Trend Magazine
2008 GMC Envoy Photo Gallery / By the Manufacturer / Photography by the Manufacturer /
Article provided by: Truck Trend Magazine
Sized for those who need more than a compact SUV, but not the dimensions of a full-size, the GMC Envoy and Envoy Denali deliver right-sized comfort with large capability - all with surprising level of refinement and standard amenities. GMC's midsize SUVs move into the 2008 model year with refinements that enhance convenience, safety and style, including standard head curtain side air bags and standard XM Satellite Radio - features that were previously optional on some models. A new, 20-inch polished aluminum wheel is available on Envoy Denali 2WD models. There are also three new exterior colors: Dark Cherry Metallic, Black Granite Metallic and Desert Brown Metallic Envoy and Envoy Denali are offered in a roomy, midsize package that rides on a 113-inch wheelbase (2,869 mm). The robust Vortec 4.2L six-cylinder is standard in Envoy models, while the powerful Vortec 5.3L V-8 is standard with Envoy Denali. The Vortec 5.3L is equipped with GM's fuel-saving Active Fuel Management technology. Both vehicles come with an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission and are available in 2WD and 4WD models. Envoy and Envoy Denali's combination of size and powertrain choices add up to excellent capability. There is 80.1 cubic feet (2,268 L) of cargo space when the rear seat is folded and the maximum towing capacity is a robust 6,300 pounds (2,858 kg) with Envoy and 6,600 pounds (2,994 kg) with Envoy Denali. Envoy and Envoy Denali offer a myriad of entertainment choices. In addition to the standard XM Satellite Radio, owners may opt for a Bose premium sound system, touch screen navigation and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. Envoy Denali takes GMC's midsize SUV platform to the pinnacle of comfort and style, with specific design cues - including the iconic chrome grille - standard 18-inch wheels and tires and a host of standard amenities.
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While the all-weather competition may have long since signed partnerships with brand-name outfitters like Eddie Bauer, L.L.Bean, and Orvis, this GMC needs no third-party tie-ins to offer a solid inter...
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Road Test Verdict: 2002 GMC Envoy
While the all-weather competition may have long since signed partnerships with brand-name outfitters like Eddie Bauer, L.L.Bean, and Orvis, this GMC needs no third-party tie-ins to offer a solid inter...
more
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Road Test Verdict: 2002 GMC Envoy
While the all-weather competition may have long since signed partnerships with brand-name outfitters like Eddie Bauer, L.L.Bean, and Orvis, this GMC needs no third-party tie-ins to offer a solid inter...
more
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Road Test Verdict: 2002 GMC Envoy
While the all-weather competition may have long since signed partnerships with brand-name outfitters like Eddie Bauer, L.L.Bean, and Orvis, this GMC needs no third-party tie-ins to offer a solid inter...
more
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