Road Ready Worksheet
Technical Research & Finance
ROAD READY
Vehicle Specs & Monthly Expense Analysis
STUDENT EDITION
Student Name
Date
Class / Period
1
Vehicle Selection & Specifications
Locate a reliable online listing for a vehicle (dealership site, CarMax, etc.). Record the key specs below.
| Technical Parameter | Documented Value |
|---|
| Year, Make & Model | |
| Odometer Reading (Mileage) | |
| Base Purchase Price ($) | |
| Fuel Efficiency (MPG) | City: ______ MPG / Highway: ______ MPG |
2
The Ownership & Finance Calculator
Determine your upfront loan balance, your estimated monthly payment, and your true monthly cost. Show your work.
A. Base Price (from Step 1) $________________
B. Taxes & Registration (Price × 0.08) + $______________
C. Total Delivered Cost (A + B) = $______________
D. Down Payment (Minimum 10%) - $______________
E. Total Loan Balance (C – D) = $______________
Arithmetic Work Space
Show tax multiplication and subtraction here:
60-MONTH LOAN ESTIMATOR (6.5% APR) Multiply Line E (Loan Balance) × 0.0196 to get your monthly payment.
$_________________ / mo
Est. Loan Payment (P+I)
Estimated Fuel / Mo
Assume 1,000 mi / month. Divide 1,000 by your MPG, then multiply by $3.50.
$____________
Insurance / Mo
Standard comprehensive package placeholder for high school drivers.
$ 150.00
Maintenance Reserve
Monthly savings recommended for tires, oil changes, and minor repairs.
$ 75.00
TRUE MONTHLY COST OF OWNERSHIP (Loan Payment + Fuel + Insurance + Maintenance)
$________________
Lesson: Road Ready Page 1 of 2 Technical Research & Finance Math
Explanatory Technical Writing
THE JUSTIFICATION
ELA-W.9-10.1
3
Sourcing & Credibility Analysis
Record the primary sources used to gather information on your vehicle's condition and fair pricing.
Source A: Listing Link / Dealership
URL / Source:
Source B: Pricing Valuation Index (e.g., KBB)
Market Estimated Price: $
Credibility Analysis: Why is an independent valuation index (like Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds) considered a highly credible source in consumer finance compared to a dealer's promotional listing?
4
Acquisition Argument & Data synthesis
Assume your post-graduation take-home salary is **$2,800.00 net monthly income** after taxes. Evaluate your results from Page 1 against the following personal finance guidelines:
The 10% Financing Limit
Your monthly vehicle auto loan payment must not exceed 10% of your take-home pay.
Max Loan Limit: $280.00 / month
The 20% Operational Limit
Your True Cost of Ownership (loan + fuel + insurance + savings) must not exceed 20% of your take-home pay.
Max True Cost: $560.00 / month
The Writing Prompt
Write a Data-Driven Justification Essay
In your essay below, explain whether this vehicle is a financially sound acquisition. You must **cite your calculated data** (loan amount, monthly payment, and true monthly cost) and explain how it measures up against the **10% and 20% budget rules**.
Lesson: Road Ready Page 2 of 2 Explanatory & Informational Essay Rubric Metric
Road Ready Scaffolded Worksheet
Guided Finance & Research
ROAD READY
Step-by-Step Vehicle Cost Planner
GUIDED EDITION
Student Name
Date
Class / Period
1
My Vehicle Choice
Find a car listing online (like CarMax or a local dealership site). Write down the details below.
| Vehicle Feature | My Car's Details (Fill in) |
|---|
| Year, Make & Model | Example: 2018 Honda Civic |
| Mileage (Miles Driven) | ______________________ miles |
| Sticker Price ($) | $ ____________________ |
2
The Simplified Cost Calculator
Let's find out how much money you need to buy this car. Fill in the lines below.
A. Sticker Price (from Step 1) $________________
B. Fees & Registration (Flat Rate) + $ 500.00
C. Total Price (Add A + B) = $______________
D. Down Payment (Cash put down) - $ 1,000.00
E. Loan Balance (Subtract C – D) = $______________
LOAN PAYMENT ESTIMATOR
Find the number closest to your **Loan Balance (Line E)**:
If $5k ➔ $100 / mo
If $10k ➔ $200 / mo
If $15k ➔ $300 / mo
If $20k ➔ $400 / mo
Write your estimated payment: $ ________
3
Monthly Living & Operating Costs
Owning a car requires other monthly costs. We have filled in standard flat estimates for you below:
Monthly Loan
$ _________
Monthly Gas
$ 100.00
Insurance
$ 150.00
Maintenance
$ 50.00
MY TRUE MONTHLY CAR BUDGET (Add all 4 numbers from above together)
$________________
Lesson: Road Ready (Modified) Page 1 of 2 Scaffolded Math Worksheet
Scaffolded Writing Template
THE JUSTIFICATION PITCH
GUIDED ELA
4
Source Verification Checklist
Let's check the credibility (trustworthiness) of the websites you used to find your vehicle details. Check **Yes** or **No** for each prompt:
Source A: Listing Site
Does it show a clear photo of the car? [ ] Yes [ ] No
Does it provide the car's VIN number? [ ] Yes [ ] No