Many students need a car to drive around the city more easily. Daily routes to college or university by public transport are not always comfortable. First, it can be inconvenient. Imagine a student living in the outskirts of a city. Daily travel by tram or bus can take several hours. Besides, not every city has a developed infrastructure, metro, or sufficient transport to meet all people’s needs. But how to choose a budget car for a student? Check this out.
Assess Your Expectations
Pay attention to your financial situation. What is your monthly income? How stable is your source of money? These questions are very important as each student has a list of monthly expenses. If you have been saving up for the purchase of a car for the last 3-5 years and have the required amount, you will not need to revise your spending model.
But if you are thinking about a loan, then check what monthly payment will be acceptable. Find someone who can help you with the paperwork and calculate how much money you can spend on your car. Then you won’t think about persuasive essay writing tasks and set realistic goals for buying a car.
Consider Your Needs
Why do you need a car? Are you going to use the vehicle to get to college alone, or do you need extra seats for your friends? Are you going to use a new car for transporting goods or supplies? These simple questions are extremely important. As a rule, students need a vehicle to not depend on the schedule of buses, metro, or trams.
At the same time, you should stick to real needs. Generally, you don’t need a Porsche Cayenne or Mercedes-Benz S-class for your daily commute to the university. Many people want to impress their friends and take loans that they cannot repay. You don’t need a supercar for your daily trips. A regular sedan with moderate fuel consumption would be the smarter option. Rent a car and estimate your daily gas or diesel costs. This will be a good start before purchasing a vehicle.
What Features Are Most Important?
Many people believe that the most important feature of any car is a comfortable interior. This is partly true. But let’s take a look at what’s most relevant. What city do you live in? If it is a metropolis, then you are better off choosing a small and maneuverable vehicle. Then you won’t have any problems with parking. For example, the Smart Fortwo takes up half the space of any sedan.
The second most important feature is fuel consumption. Choose the most economical car. Then your daily expenses will be insignificant, and you can spend money on other activities. For example, any student can use Proessays services and take a break from paperwork with friends.
The third aspect is maintainability and the total cost of ownership. Many popular cars have been produced for decades with minimal technical changes. Lots of Ford sedans and hatchbacks are inexpensive, and you don’t need to spend a month’s budget on replacing any engine part or overall repair.
Should I Buy New or Used?
That’s a very difficult question. On the one hand, new cars are a plus. All components will be better, and you will not have to worry that someone will deceive you. But are you ready to pay the full amount? Let’s say you like a $16,000 sedan. How much do you have to pay for such a car in the secondary market with a minimum mileage? As a rule, the price will be in the range of 10-12 thousand dollars. It is noticeably cheaper.
There is nothing wrong with buying a used car. There are quite a few dealers who offer good options. Let’s think logically. As soon as you buy a new car and leave the dealership, your vehicle will automatically lose about 20-30% of its original value. This is the law of the market. Nobody pays full price for a used car.
It’s best if you decide to save some money. Choose the most reliable model on the market. As a rule, good gasoline and regular technical inspection will help you avoid any problems in the next 3-5 years. This will be enough for the student. It will be easier for you to sell a car at the end of your study and buy something else than regret spending a huge amount. Also, a new car will lose about 40% of its value during the period of your study.
And be careful when buying electric vehicles. Older models have a low battery capacity. Typically, you will need to plan your travel itineraries and find nearby charging stations. It is very important. Do you want to spend several hours charging your car every 100 miles? Choose models with a larger battery capacity or options with an internal combustion engine.