Over the next few weeks millions of students will be heading off to college; many for the very first time. And as that annual rite of passage plays out, countless American families will be scrambling to find safe and reliable transportation for their loved ones before they hit the road. Driving back and forth from college with passengers in tow through various driving conditions takes a toll on a vehicle, and then you’ve got other operating expenses to consider. As college costs continue to rise every year, the last thing you want is investing a lot of money into an unreliable vehicle. With all that in mind, here are some key factors to consider when buying the right car for a college student.
In most cases, you’ll be purchasing a used vehicle for your college student. First, you’ll want to ensure that its reliable using these steps:
Walk around the car and look for signs of major body repairs, assess the condition of the tires, and then check underneath for any suspicious fluid leaks. Then pop the hood and look the engine over for any worn parts. Also inspect the interior for damage that indicates excessive wear-and-tear.
VHRs serve as a kind of “rap sheet”, while revealing information like accidents, servicing and repair records, number of owners, and whether the vehicle was ever salvaged (“totaled out” by an insurer). Most sellers now provide a free VHR. If not, Carfax (carfax.com) offers them for a small fee.
Have the intended driver slide behind the wheel to get a feel for the pedals, controls, leg and headroom, and field-of-vision. Before hitting the road, test all the systems including the stereo, heater and A/C, lights, power windows and door locks. Then take it for a test drive with the radio off. Listen for strange noises, assess the ride comfort, steering and suspension. Does it shift smoothly? Do the brakes and cruise control work okay?
Read online reviews from actual vehicle owners for reliability feedback and any commonly-reported problems.
The final step is to pay a professional to inspect all the major systems, inside and out.
To initially avoid overpaying for a vehicle, search the fair market value for similar cars in your area using the make, model and year on sites like Autotrader (www.autotrader.com) and Kelly Blue Book (www.kbb.com). Factors like higher mileage, multiple owners, and accidents can reduce the price. Other affordability issues to think about are:
Notably, when your student will be frequently making long commutes, check out the miles per gallon (MPG) before buying. You really don’t need to buy them a gas-guzzling SUV when an economical 4-cylinder sedan or compact with ample room, notably a hybrid, makes more sense.
Check with your agent before signing on the dotted line about rates and then decide if the premiums will work within your budget.
Read online mechanic blogs, driving enthusiast websites and consumer reviews to get a feel for what the future maintenance costs might be.
Obviously, this is important when you’re buying a car for any family member. When it’s for a younger, less-experienced one who’ll be driving through all types of weather, you’ve got to be extra cautious. To better ensure their road safety, look for these vehicle features:
Bigger, more powerful engines will simply encourage faster driving, and they eat gas. Buy a vehicle with a smaller engine that delivers adequate performance.
While balancing fuel economy with this decision, stay away from extremely lightweight vehicles that will afford less collision protection.
This is a must for younger drivers, as ESC helps the tires track better on curves and slippery pavement.
Look for cars with safety enhancements like multiple airbags, Bluetooth, lane change sensors, and other accident-avoidance systems.
Even when taking all the safety precautions listed above, the car you purchase for your college student can still be involved in an accident. When that happens, rest assured that a good auto body shop in your area can expertly fix the damage promptly, and then get your loved one safely and reliably back to school again. They have the training, experience and equipment to get the repairs done right, and restore your peace-of-mind. Most shops will also work directly with insurance companies so you don’t have to. To search your zip code for a better auto body shop in your area that specializes in top-quality repairs, visit: www.carwise.com now.
