What is the best car for a student to buy , will always be a very good conversation ,no matter in which country you leave and being a student .

Of course we should say that the criteria of a college student and the criteria generally for a good car choice , aren’t far away . The needs are diffrent , but the general idea is the same .

Before you go to your car choice , there is always some things you should consider . We think that before you buy something , there are some things you should pay attention , so that your choice would be successful and “serve” you best .

First of all :

Do you really need a transformation vehicle ?

Because if outside( or near ) of your house and your university , a bus station exists , the “work” is done . Or if your neighbor , or a friend has the same or similar needs with you , you can ask for a favor with the minimum cost , of a coffee , a cup of tea , or some lessons help !!

But you are a person who likes his freedom and availabilty , in all the day hours , so the aquisition of a vehicle is “one way road” . In our case , a car .

Before proceeding to advance and complex thoughts , for your beloved car , HOW MUCH MONEY you have in your pockets , is the “coloumn” of all .

1) How much you have in cash , how much you can borrow from your parents – relatives – friends ( if you can borrow !! ) , and you should think if you are willing to get a loan , if you have the legal rights and properties to get a loan .

Because the Bank , or even the car dealer , would treat different to a new 1st year college student ,who in the best case he’ll find a work with few money and different to a graduate ,who is going to find a good job soon !!!!!! ( ok maybe ) .

2) After you set the money issue with the best possible way , noone can get between you and your dream car as a college guy/girl .

Except all your other expences you’ll make for you car , you should put some money aside , for your first insurance , an alarm for its safety and , a hood if you have no garage , and if the car is USED , its first VERY GOOD service with :

a) “fresh” new tyres ,
b) brake changing and inspection ,

c) steering wheel inspection , suspension check and if possible shock absorbers change .

All these MUST be done , no matter what the used – car salesman tells you about the “excellency” of the car .

You don’t want “surpises’ .

Because , you may have the ammount of money to buy your car , but you may not have the ability to pay what it needed , every single year to your country tax office . This fact can make you reduse a little bit your preferences . It’s importand .

3) The second thought you should make is , if you buy a New car or a Used one . The ammount of money you have in your pockets , is the ” lighthouse ” , for this decision .

It is generally preferable to buy a new car , because you’ll be the first human being , who will drive it from “birth” and you won’t get any “surpises” . But if you cannot buy a new one , there are so many very reliable used cars near you , or in the web to see .

4) If you decide to take a new one ( no matter if you have a garage to protect it or not , because for many it’s crucial and affect their decision to buy a new car or not ) , and your money you’ll spend is “locked” , you already know in what category you must look . Ok , you’re almost know your category !!!!!

Because then you should choose , what kind of car you like ,and how much maneuverable and easy to drive you want it to be , according your :

a) driving skills and

b) the future parking “issues” you’ll have , on your university and activities . SUV’s , Jeeps , Convertibles , fast mini’s , small tracks ( because you are also ,a carpenter , or you help your family in the farm the weekends ) . After all these “brain organized” considerations , you are ready to SEE CARS .

A) If you have from 500$ to 10.000$ ( maybe some very old cars , below the 500$ exists ) ,new cars exist in many car companies ,but there are in the category of the super mini , or very small cars .

If you “don’t care” to take with you many people , and your first priority , is just to carry you and your college – ahtletic and your other activities , you can choose that kind of a car .

We suppose , as you lower your budget , the choice of a used car is the best alternative because with 7.0000 – 8.000 ….10.000$ , you can buy a used car in a very good condition and few miles . But for the used cars we’ll speak later .

B) – If you have 10.000$ to 20.000$ ,
you’ll search in the first , the “entering” category of the car manufactorers .The small – sized cars , Toyota Yaris , Ford Fiesta , VW Polo , Skoda Fabia , Peugeot 208 , in this area .

C) – If your money is from 20.000$ to 30.000$ , you should see the next manufactorers level , the mid – sized cars . VW Golf , Ford focus ,Honda civic , Toyota Corolla , this area .

Of course in this area SUVs exist , small jeeps exist , convertibles , tracks . In the lower area , the 10 to 20 thousand the choices are fewer .

If money isn’t problem , for you to buy a car , we think that you are smiling a little bit , while reading this article , but we can also suggest some cars to buy .

Of course these money ranges aren’t “solid” 100 % , and you can find mid-sized cars in the area of the 10.000$ to 20.000$ , and some small-sized cars to the upper area of the 20.000 to 30.000$ .

This is happening because of the so many extra equipment , the cars have . This is another important theme you must consider , because these “countless” ammount of extras , can “launch” the car’s price beyond your limits .

After the New or Used decision , the category choice , the ” What you like from those categories” , you have fixed an early ” mind map” . But the “road” hasn’t finished yet .

In your “target” category and money area , you must go and see the cars in PHYSICAL . The Pc screens and magazines , aren’t close to reality , many times .

You must go to every single car dealership and see all the “competitors” .See them on the outside , get inside them ,touch them , “feel” them and wherever is possible , DRIVE them . ALL OF THEM !!!

Then and when you’ll have taken in you house all the car dealership’s leaflets , see the exact extra’s you want and how much higher they rise the price thinking all the above is AGAIN YOUR “JOB” , before you make the final decision .

If you choose to buy a USED car , the proccess is almost the same , with some extra variations .

You must be prepared to deal with the “mastering” abilities of the experienced salesmen/women . Try to “read between the lines“ of what they would tell you and don’t be quickly enthusiastic .

Ask them to let you completely show you , every area of the car you want to see and see thier reactions . See if they feel uncomfortable in some specific area and this is an “alarm” for you .

Ask them what insurance and guarantee they give you , with which banks they cooperate , go to see their service room if they have any in the same building , see what other cars they have to sell and in which condition they are .

Ask them , if they have any particular problem to bring your mechanic to see the car , and always see the salesman’s REACTIONS , seek for “black” spots in his “theories” and before you make your decision . Ask opinions for this car dealer .

( in no case we don’t want to insult any salesman outhere , but sometimes , they beutify “things” driven by their enthusiasm . )

And of course the MOST SIGNIFICANT MATTER of buying a car , new or used is that “DISCOUNTS” IN SAFETY AREN’T ACCEPTABLE !!!!!! , and above all , we want our vehicle to have all the safety technologies it can .

If all go well , and the check in the mechanical and chasis area satisfy you .

Congratulations , you’ve just made a wise choice .

What used cars NOT to buy ?

The used cars you should never buy and trust , combines many characteristics .

1) If the car dealer who has the used car you want , has a bad reputation in the “streets” , if he has a lot of web complaints ( use the social media to check him and visit his site , to see reviews , complaints ) many customers who you are informed that , they aren’t “very happy” about this dealer , seek elsewhere .

2) If the car dealer’s shop doesn’t make you trust him , because you see tensed atmosphere with other clients , high nerve voices , lack of organization and professionalism , followed by unclear “chewed” talk with many “buts” , “maybes” and “ifs” , it’s a bad sign .

3) If the car dealer doesn’t feel comfortable with the checks you want to do , with your own mechanics , it’s a bad sign .

4) If the history papers of the car( serveses , et.c ) , aren’t as they should and you hear : ” i will fix it , don’t worry ” , ” i’ll have them on monday ” , “it isn’t a big deal ” and more , it’s a bad sign .

5) If what the salesman says to you aren’t compatible , with what YOU SEE ( rust , bad assembly in several parts , different color surfaces , moisture inside the lights , unofficial parts , oil leaks and in general neglected state , it’s a bad sign .

What is the signs of a bad transmission ?

When the time comes , to make a test drive to the used car you like , give attention to these :

1) Rough and hard efforts to put a gear , is a bad transmission sign .

2) Delayed engagement and clutch “skating” , is a bad sign .

3) Oil leaks arround the gear box , visible by you , while you inspect the car engine , is a bad transmission sign .

4) Warning light in the car’s dashboard , on is a bad sign .

5) General noises from the transmission , while your test drive , is a bad sign .

6) Gearshift , which is very stiff and makes it hard to change gears easily and with good positive sense in your hand , is a bad sign .

7) If you smell burning in general , is a bad sign .

8) If you feel vibration above the common , is a bad sign .

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No matter what is your sense after your test drive , an expert “eye” you trust , MUST check the car before you decide to move to its purchase .

The best used car to buy a college student , must combine as many of the above mentioned characteristics , possible and because the use of the car will be from an active young person ,with not much money ( books , hobbies , walks and maybe parties !! , drain dollars ) , the first priorities from a used car should be , reliability and low needs of fuel .

But NO DISCOUNTS IN THE SAFETY AREA . For the Reliability area , we should look at the , most reliable companies in the world and pick one .

For more informations and to see latest “fresh” results and many more reliability categories ,
of the J.D Power company you shall always visit the : www.jdpower.com

More organisations which measuring cars , reliability and safety are :
a) Consumerreports.org
b) EURO NCAP ( SAFETY ) – www.euroncap.com
c) ADAC ( www.adac.de )
d) DEKRA ( www.dekra.com )

As for the fuel economy section , you should consider that we don’t have one kind of a fuel , but many alternatives to petroleum and gasoline .

We have gas , hydrogen , hybrid cars , and the latest the new comings the electric cars , which will dominate our future .

Search for what is better for you , the money you will spend to buy a car , and the money you’re willing to spend the year for the car’s servise , combined with tax benefits ( if they exist in your country ) , and choose rationally .