Thrifty Thinking: Car Shopping for College

For every new student, college is a time of life changes and independence. For once, you’ll be (more or less) on your own and managing a schedule which can vary from classes and extracurricular activities to off-campus interviews and spring break road trips. It may be an extra layer of responsibility, but it’s a necessary one if you don’t want to have to rely on paying for individual rides, begging your family, or cashing in favors with friends. 

Instead of looking to others, use this time as your chance to be fully independent and get a vehicle that suits your style and your needs, whether you’re a commuter student, living on-campus, or just in your own wheels for your own purposes.

Commuter Picks

Commuting is a smart option for students looking to cut down on costs or maintain their already independent, off-campus lifestyles, and their pick of vehicles should reflect that. Those seeking to commute should consider three values when looking their daily ride: reliability, gas mileage, and maneuverability. 

Car reliability ratings are fairly consistent, so check a reliability index like U.S. News & World Report or Consumer Reports to see which brands and models meet your preferences. While Audi might top the 2017 list, it’s a good idea to look at the span of ratings and pick a consistently reliable brand before making your way to particular models.

Good gas mileage will keep your daily and monthly costs down. With cars becoming more fuel-efficient than ever, the average miles per gallon you’ll want to beat is 23.6. If you’re worried that a 23.6 mpg bar will prevent you from finding an affordable. 2 to 3 year-old vehicle, set your worries aside; many post-2010 subcompacts and midsized cars meet and exceed that standard, including the Mazda 6, Mazda 3i Grand Touring and the Chevrolet Cruze. 

Whether you’re parking on the street or have a reserved parking garage spot, a car with maneuverability helps to cut down on time-intensive parking situations or tight, crowded city streets. Some of the maneuverable and parking-friendly city cars include the Fiat 500 and Mini Cooper. You can also look for a newer model that comes with self-park steering like the 2016 Ford Focus. 

A smart, if not underappreciated, choice is the Smart Fortwo. With seating for two, limited cargo space, and a mpg that’s almost double the average, the Fortwo is definitely a commuter’s car. Even better, the starting price for even the newest models is below $15,000.

Hybrids are always growing in popularity and reliability. While Toyota’s Prius series might be the first thing that comes to mind, including Honda’s Accord and Civic, Ford’s Fusion and Focus, and Kia’s Optima.

Dorm Dwellers

Even if you’re not commuting on a daily basis, it’s smart to have a car of your own for a variety of purposes. Need to pick up groceries for a potluck/ picnic? Maybe you need a reliable alternative to the public transportation options available to you around campus. The familiar Toyota Camry is a predictably good choice. With high reliability ratings, accolades for being a top-tier midsize car, and low maintenance costs, the Camry is sure to outlast your time in college.

Using your car as a storage space for all your team’s extra equipment? You wouldn’t be the first and you won’t be the last. Take advantage of the Subaru Forester’s foldable seats and spacious trunk space to soak up your team’s appreciation and make your own life easier. If you’re occasionally hauling on grassy terrain, the Forester’s all-wheel drive will help keep you going, without sacrificing fuel efficiency.

Perfect for Road Trips

Cars aren’t just for work and errands! If you went to college out of state or stayed close to home and just occasionally need to get away, road trips will be part of your college life, so it’s important to pick something that will last for a few years.

Since road-trippers will mostly travel on freeways and carrying plenty pieces of luggage or camping gear, good highway gas mileage and ample cargo space will be important. You’ll also want to avoid the dreaded mini-van.

An obvious choice is a station wagon like the Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen. With 33 cubic feet of cargo capacity, seating for five and a quiet cabin, you’ll be able to stuff your car with friends for weekend trips and drive through the night in comfort and style.

Want to travel for a while and not worry about stopping for gas? With a gas capacity of over 500 miles, the Toyota Prius leads the pack. Though it has plenty of cargo storage space with or without folding the rear seats, the Prius’s tighter interior, shorter length and hatchback style makes it a good choice for both solo and couple adventurers planning to sleep under the stars.

Need more advice on buying a car for college?
Head over to Carmax and look over their ultimate guide. With a generous offering of tips, advice and car recommendations, they’re a great resource whether you’re a first time buyer or looking to a replacement vehicle.