Buying a car might seem like a bit of a challenge for a college student. But it’s worth the effort. Getting behind the wheel is a necessity for a lot of students. If you live far from campus, it’ll save you from spending a lot of time on the road while carrying heavy textbooks. Even if you don’t have to commute, having a car of your own can make your life much more comfortable. It gives autonomy to travel and have spontaneous weekend adventures.
To make a smart purchase, you’ll need to consider your goals, choose the right car, and get your finances in order. It becomes much easier if you do your research and prepares in advance. Here are five tips that will guide you through the process.
1. Assess Your Needs and Expectations
Before you start setting a budget and picking a vehicle, determine why you need a car in the first place. The decision includes many factors. Getting a car isn’t as easy as to buy essay. While in the latter case, a writer will do everything for you, from research to proofreading, choosing a car is your call.
Envision occasions when you’ll need to use the car.
- Do you plan to transport large items (like canvases if you’re an art student or sports equipment if you’re playing on the school team)?
- Will you use the car only to get to classes or to travel long distances?
- Do you need a car for camping or driving only in the town?
- Do you want to find potential carpooling partners?
- Are there any technologies/features you want to have (in-car apps, biometric access, park assist, etc.)
- Is car style a priority?
Knowing what you’re looking for will help you narrow your search when exploring car types and models.
2. Get Your Finances in Order
You need to consider your finances and set a budget so that the car won’t break the bank. Try to:
- Determine an attainable price range for a car.
- Save up some money before making a purchase. If you save enough to pay cash, you’ll avoid loans and may even get a discount. By saving money, you’ll also be able to increase down payment if you take a loan. It’ll give you more manageable monthly payments and a lower interest rate.
- Consider expenses related to owning a car like insurance, fuel, parking fees, and maintenance. Make sure they won’t consume too much of your income (no more than 25%).
- Determine a car budget based on your savings and income. Don’t forget to consider other living expenses and bills (rent, books, groceries, etc.) to make sure you can afford a car.
3. Figure Out What Car Is Right for You
Car listings can be confusing. Yet, if you’re clear about your needs, it might be easier to navigate through them. Think about aspects like:
- Safety ratings
- Fuel efficiency
- Reliability
- Maintenance costs and requirements
- Technology features
You need to have realistic expectations. As you’re still a student, a new sports car isn’t an attainable wish. Instead, focus on more affordable options.
Used vehicles might fit your budget range better. Compare the features of new and pre-owned cars:
| New Cars | Used Cars |
| Expensive | More affordable |
| Latest technology | Lower insurance rates |
| Low initial maintenance costs | Higher maintenance and repair costs |
| More customizable | More models are available |
| Superior safety features | Better value for money |
| Fuel economy |
Take your time to compare different models and their features. You can find reviews from other buyers and expert reports online to learn more about the car you prefer.
4. Shop Carefully
Now that everything is planned, it’s time to get a car. If you buy a new car:
- Take a test drive to check the performance of the vehicle. It varies from car to car.
- Make sure you arrange enough time for a test drive to check whether the car handles as expected in different environments.
- Ask for a vehicle report.
Be more careful with used cars:
- Find out how many miles the car traveled, whether it was in a crush, and when maintenance was performed.
- Check whether anything needs repair.
- If you have any concerns or questions, ask for clarification.
- Inspect the car inside and out and carefully test every technology feature.
- Taking the car for a test drive, pay attention to details like sounds, braking response, acceleration performance, etc.
5. Negotiate and Purchase
Before filling out the paperwork, consider these tips:
- Read the contract carefully. There might be contradictions to what the dealer said earlier.
- Ask for clarification if something is unclear in the contract or there are issues you’ve noticed during the test drive.
- You can try to negotiate the price, especially if you’re buying a used car. It’ll help if you know the price of similar vehicles.
- Find out whether the dealer will obtain vehicle registration for you.
- Don’t let the salesperson convince you to buy additional services you don’t need.
- Negotiation can help you get free add-ons like an extended warranty or mechanical improvements.
Final Thoughts
Choosing your first car is an exciting yet challenging process. You need to be realistic about your expectations and save up before the purchase. By following our planning and shopping tips, you can get good value for money and buy a car with confidence.