(CarMax Inc.: Richmond, VA) -- According to a recent telephone survey conducted for CarMax Inc., the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, more Americans say quality is the factor that most influences their car-buying decision.

More than one-third of Americans who have purchased a vehicle say quality has the greatest influence on their car-buying decision, followed by price and safety, in that order. Men and women chose quality as their top factor individually, too—women with 34 percent and men with 43 percent. Only 6 percent of people said environmental or green factors influenced their buying decisions.

In 2009, women surveyed online responded differently. Last year, when asked the question, “Which of the following: price, reliability, fuel efficiency, safety, space, or convenience options, would be most important to you when choosing what car to buy?” women chose price over reliability.

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