Finding an Affordable Car for College Students
- December 15, 2019
- Car Purchase Tips
- Posted by Luke S
- Comments Off on Finding an Affordable Car for College Students
College is a time for you to be getting out into the world and exploring it on your own, but it is hard to do that when you don’t have your own set of wheels. Getting those wheels while in college can be a bit of a challenge, however.
The average new car bought in the US costs a hefty $32,000 and a mid-range sedan will set you back $22,000, even without all the bells and whistles.
This means that, for most students, getting a new car is out of the question and buying a used car is more practical. Unless you are getting a lot of help from your family, you can also probably discount getting a shiny new sports car or SUV as well.
So, if you are setting out into higher education and you want a car to broaden your horizons, without breaking the bank, what are your options?
Buying Used
The first and most obvious solution to needing a car, but not being able to afford a new one, is to buy a used car. However, it isn’t quite as simple as that. Buying the wrong used car can actually end up costing you more in the long run, so the trick is to buy a used vehicle that is in good condition and is within your budget.
The first step to finding the right used car is to set yourself a budget and not to overspend. If you are just looking for any car, without having a preset price range, you might end up paying extra to buy what you want, not what you can afford.
Set yourself a reasonable, affordable amount that you are willing to pay for a used car and restrict your searching to cars within that price range.
When you do go and see a car you like the look of, take someone who knows the in’s and out’s of vehicular maintenance with you. If you are lucky, you’ll have a family member with that kind of knowledge.
If you don’t, talk to your local garage. There is a good chance one of the mechanics will be happy to go with you. They might charge you for their time, but if that means you avoid buying a clanger that breaks down every few days, it will be money well spent.
Take Advantage of Your Financing Options
If you cant afford the single lump sum for a used car, then financing is always an option. Here at Paul Sherry Car-N-Credit, we understand that it can be hard to get the automotive loan that you need to get the car you want, especially if you are still in college. Which is why our easy car loan program offers no credit checks.
We also offer a range of quality-of-life options with our finance agreements, such as short two-year term loans, guaranteed auto financing, and even same-day delivery to certain states.
To keep your credit rating in the green, we also make it a practice to report to the credit bureau on a monthly basis, which helps to quickly translate your regular payments into a rapid boost for your credit rating.
Call us today on (937) 773-0895 or visit our website to discuss our range of financing options.
Buy From a Dealer
Buying straight from an owner might save you money in the short term, but in the long run, it is always best to buy from a dealer.
Here at Paul Sherry Auto, we have a huge range of used cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans to fit any lifestyle and any budget. It is our aim to get you the vehicle you need, so when you visit us, our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be there to guide you every step of the way, helping you find the right car, not just the most expensive one.
Because we don’t believe that your credit rating should stand between you and the car you need, we offer guaranteed auto financing for anyone located in Dayton, Troy, Piqua, Sidney, or anywhere in the Miami Valley.
So come visit us at just off I-75 at exit 83 and we’ll help you find exactly the kind of car that will see you all the way through your college journey, without putting too much strain on your wallet!