Choose a new car

Executive Summary

Based on a careful evaluation of how well each of the 3 possible choices could meet the 5 major criteria considered, Toyota Camry appears to be the best choice.
The 3 choices considered were:
	Toyota Camry
	Nissan Altima
	Ford Taurus

The criteria used to evaluate the options were (in order of importance):
	Durability/CR
	Int. Rate Deals
	Price
	Cost/Ext. Warranty
	Chosen Color Available
Of all of the choices considered, 2 were considered to be leading candidates.  These "top options" were:
	Toyota Camry
	Nissan Altima

Durability/CR was the most significant factor leading to the choice of Toyota Camry over Nissan Altima.

Introduction

The question of "Choose a new car" was evaluated by means of a decision table.  

     Decision Table for Choose a new car

Alternative choices considered are listed down the left side of the table.  The criteria used to evaluate the various options are listed along the top.  Initially entered in no particular order, both the choices and the criteria were then repositioned according to importance of criteria and effectiveness of individual choices in meeting them.
As criteria are evaluated and weights assigned according to which factors are considered to be most significant, the factors are sorted from left to right in order of importance (i.e., the factor considered by the decision maker to be most significant in meeting overall needs ends up in the leftmost position).
Similarly, as choices are evaluated according to effectiveness in meeting criteria, the best choices migrate to the top of the list.  When the process is complete, the best choice should emerge at the top.
As selection alternatives and the criteria to be used in evaluating them are entered into the table, weights are assigned to each of the evaluation factors so that they are ranked in order of their importance in fulfilling the overall task.  
For the decision "Choose a new car," the criteria used to evaluate the choices, and their weightings, were:
	Durability/CR - High
	Int. Rate Deals - High
	Price - High
	Cost/Ext. Warranty - Medium
	Chosen Color Available - Low

Among the 3 choices considered, 2 were considered to be "top options."  (A top option is defined as follows:  If the choice immediately following the preferred choice is rated in the same rating category as the recommended selection, then all choices in that category are considered top options.  If the second ranking choice is in a different category, the top options are considered to be the recommended choice plus all choices in the same category as the second-place option.  Thus, the "top options" list will always have at least two choices in it and may include all of the choices considered in the entire table.)
For the decision of "Choose a new car," the top options were:
	Toyota Camry
	Nissan Altima

Discussion of Requirements

The criteria used in this decision making process were:
Durability/CR (overall importance:  High)

Int. Rate Deals (overall importance:  High)

Price (overall importance:  High)

Cost/Ext. Warranty (overall importance:  Medium)

Chosen Color Available (overall importance:  Low)

The Top Choices

The decision-making process has identified 2 of the choices as "top options."  They were:
	Toyota Camry
	Nissan Altima

Comparisons among Choices

Relative strengths of the various choices in each of the factors is illustrated in the following graph:

     Relative Strengths

Toyota Camry versus Nissan Altima
Toyota Camry was considered to be a better choice than Nissan Altima in 2 of the 5 criteria considered.  However, the margin between them was narrow enough that each of the following criteria was considered to be critical in determining which choice has the advantage:
	Durability/CR
	Cost/Ext. Warranty

The reason Toyota Camry received a rating of Excellent for Durability/CR was:  CR rates excellent
The reason Toyota Camry received a rating of Excellent for Cost/Ext. Warranty was:  $500 for 5 year/100000 mile

Conclusion

After a careful evaluation of each option, Toyota Camry appears to be the best choice.  

Appendix I:  Discussion of Options

Toyota Camry

Toyota Camry was judged Excellent in the matter of Durability/CR. CR rates excellent
Toyota Camry was judged Good in the matter of Int. Rate Deals. 4.9%
Toyota Camry was judged Excellent in the matter of Cost/Ext. Warranty. $500 for 5 year/100000 mile
Toyota Camry was judged Poor in the matter of Chosen Color Available. No candy-apple red
Nissan Altima

Nissan Altima was judged Good in the matter of Durability/CR. CR rates less than Camry but still excellent
Nissan Altima was judged Excellent in the matter of Int. Rate Deals. 0.9%
Nissan Altima was judged Excellent in the matter of Cost/Ext. Warranty. $600 for 5 year/100000 mile
Nissan Altima was judged Fair in the matter of Chosen Color Available. Light red, not quite the color I want
Ford Taurus

Ford Taurus was judged Good in the matter of Durability/CR. It's an American car, 'nuff said
Ford Taurus was judged Fair in the matter of Int. Rate Deals. No deals right now
Ford Taurus was judged Good in the matter of Price. 
$23.195
Ford Taurus was judged Poor in the matter of Cost/Ext. Warranty. $7
$700 for 5 year/100000 mile
Ford Taurus was judged Excellent in the matter of Chosen Color Available. Exactly the color I want!

Appendix II:  References