Tips For Buying A Car In College | Columbus, MS

College students may have reserves of motivation and determination, but one thing they lack tends to be disposal income and reliable transportation. Fortunately, you don’t need oodles of money to get a ride if you follow these tips.

Buy Used

Buying new is the best way to rack up more debt on top of your student loans. Fortunately, you can get an attractive, feature-rich car even if it isn’t the latest model. And when you buy at a dealership, you can get a vehicle history report to better understand just what you’re getting.

Buy Small

Small differences in fuel economy may not seem important, but they really add up over time, especially if you are commuting to college. Small cars are not only more efficient, they typically cost less than large cars and SUVs, too.

Check Your Insurance

Insurance companies are reluctant to give inexperienced drivers good rates. Before you buy a car, get a quote from your insurance to see how much it will cost you. This will help you understand the true cost of a car before you commit to purchasing it.

Test Drive

You should always test drive a car before buying it, and especially when on a limited budget. Pay attention to how it maneuvers, drive on varying roads and listen carefully for unusual noises. While you’re at it, test the lights, air conditioning, heat, windshield wipers, and blinkers.

Pay Upfront

If you can, you should try to pay for the entirety of the car upfront. While financing a car can help you build credit, college can be an unpredictable time with unforeseen financial needs. You’ll get through your exams and the other difficulties of student life when you don’t have car payments to worry about.

Finally, you can take the stress out of the car-buying process by shopping at a trusted dealership. At Carl Hogan Automotive, we’ll help you find a used car that works for your budget. Check out our inventory online and visit us when you want to learn more and go for a test drive!