College Cars

By Uloop Guest Writer on April 8, 2015

Being a college student is no walk in the park. It requires determination, dedication, a bit of forethought, and a considerable amount of intelligence. That’s just on the individual level, though.

It also means more work than just schoolwork, especially if you want to have a life outside of school. There is one piece of equipment that means freedom from the shackles of campus life … I’m talking about a car.

Of course there are those students that are fortunate enough to have gotten a brand new, fully-loaded Volvo S80 as a high school graduation present, but that’s not exactly the norm. Whether you bought a car with a co-signer, got a used car as a grad gift, or were able to get a used car all on your own, you are now responsible for your very own set of wheels. That comes with more than just a car payment.

First of all, you will want to think of insurance. There is an array of insurance companies that claim to save you more than the company above them on Google. You are in college, so I assume you know how to do your own research.

It may take a whole day of calling various companies to get quotes, figuring out what insurance features you are going to pay for, and finally making a decision, but one day of work is worth the hassle should you ever find yourself in a car wreck. Decide if you want full coverage or liability only; but keep in mind that, if you are making payments on a car, you have to maintain full coverage until you own the vehicle.

Next, because you bought a used car, you will want to check into anything that may need to be fixed or replaced soon. What this means depends on the car you bought. Some cars are known for sturdy motors, while others are known for their strong chassis and suspension.

Depending on what you bought, you will want to look at the engine, transmission, suspension and brakes. These are the most important components to looks at, so check those before you go buy your double din navigation system and your carbon fiber hood.

Some of the most commonly purchased used cars by college students are the reliable Ford Focus, the cost-effective Kia Spectra, and the always-cool Mini Cooper. These are all really great cars for the college student. They are small, great on gas, and have proven themselves to be reliable cars over the years. Either way you go, you will want to look into commonly purchased parts and where to get them.

·  Ford Focus parts are widely available just about anywhere you go. You can purchase parts online, through the dealerships, or at local parts shops. As one of the most popular cars in America, and the world for that matter, you don’t really have to worry about the availability of Focus parts.

·  The Kia Spectra is a different story. Although they are quite a common car, parts are not quite as common as the Focus. The idea of buying a Spectra is generally born of wanting a low-budget, reliable car. The parts can be cost effective if you go to local parts shops, but will probably cost a lot more online.

·  Mini Cooper parts can be found anywhere also. If you bought one of these cars with aspirations of tuning it, there is a plethora of places from which to get those style parts. Standard aftermarket and OEM Mini Cooper parts, though, should be bought online, because most local shops and dealerships mark up the prices on them.

As you can see, no matter which you choose, you will be able to find parts at a good price. That just adds to the reasons to buy one of these three cars.

The last point I’d like to make to you is please have someone who knows cars go to the dealership with you. If you don’t know much about cars, it may be easy for the dealership to sell you a real lemon. Someone who knows cars will be able to point out any issues they see, so that you can consider them before purchasing.

Happy Hunting!

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