A new car means a new list of choices. Do you want a sunroof? Leather seats? Navigation? There is a lot of research that goes into selecting the right make and model of car for you. But even when you have finally decided on the perfect vehicle, there is still one more decision to make: which trim level?To help ease your research and decision-making process, our well-versed experts at Carl Cannon Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac have put together a list of things to keep in mind when zeroing in on the trim level that is right for you.
Starting from Square One – What are Trim Levels?
Categorizing cars by trim level is a system developed by automakers in the 1950s to offer different options and features without making the cars themselves different models.
Trim levels are generally broken down into letters or numbers, with each one denoting a specific set of features. The higher the alphabet or number you go, the more features are generally included.
For example, a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 LT might come standard with an infotainment system, but the higher-end 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 High Country will include a more premium infotainment system with navigation.
Price Has an Effect on Trim Levels:
The more a buyer wants in a vehicle, the more features it will have and the more it will cost. The price of the car’s base model is increased by trim levels. For years, automobile manufacturers and dealers have employed this method.
Unfortunately, it’s not only the prices of the base models that increase with the addition of trim levels. The higher a vehicle’s trim level, the more expensive it is to insure because there’s more to repair or replace if the car is damaged in an accident.
A Little About a Monroney Sticker:
Have you ever noticed the window sticker on a new car? That’s called a Monroney sticker. This sticker must display information such as the vehicle’s base price, standard features, average gas mileage, and MSRP. In the United States, each automobile sold by a dealer must have a Monroney sticker.
The goal of this is to make it easier for customers to see the distinction between the basic model’s price and any add-on features. It’s a great way to compare vehicles side-by-side to see which offers the best value for your money.
What Does Trimmed-Down Mean?
When a car’s trim level is trimmed down, the manufacturer has removed some features to make the vehicle more affordable. For example, a luxury car might have power windows and leather seats as standard features. If the same car was offered with a “trimmed-down” trim level, it would still have power windows but cloth seats instead of leather.A car can be trimmed down in other ways too. For instance, a higher-end stereo system might replace a basic one, or chrome accents might be swapped out for plastic ones. Basically, anything that makes a car more luxurious (and therefore more expensive) can be removed to create a less expensive trim level.
Bottom Line:
If you’re in the market for a new car, it’s important to remember the different trim levels available. You don’t want to pay more than you need to or settle for features you don’t really want.
At Carl Cannon Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac, serving Hamilton, AL, we have a wide variety of new and certified pre-owned vehicles in stock. If you are a budget-minded driver, you can also check out our range of cars under $10,000.
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