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5 Buying a Used Car Tips for College Students

Car for a college student has been a must today. Then, buying a used car for a college student can be both an exciting and stressful time, especially if it is your first car. Today I am providing you with some used car shopping tips that will ease your worries and give you the confidence you need for your next purchase.

1. Finish your homework. Though it’s something us college kids are familiar with, just as in real life, many of us don’t do it. Researching your desired car is the best thing you can do to boost your buyer confidence. There are specific problems that typically plague certain vehicles and they are pretty easy to find on most car forums. Knowing these problems can give you a lot of bargaining power and help to avoid the most obvious problems.

2. Don’t worry! you don’t have to know everything, just some things. Most car shoppers can get intimidated by terms such as catalytic converter, compressor, thermostat, but there is no need to worry as simply looking up these terms online can be a huge advantage. Most people aren’t automotive engineers or “car guys” therefore when it comes to engines they usually have no clue what they are talking about. The only thing you need to know about the functionality of a vehicle is when certain items were last serviced.
Oil changes, tune-ups(spark-plug, wire, and distributor), radiator flushes, and tire rotations are
service items that you need to pay particular attention to.

3. Filter the “car guys” while listens to them. When shopping for a vehicle this person always seems to manifest from out of nowhere. They will either be the person who is selling a car or a friend who is trying to help you buy a car. A car guy is simply a car enthusiast, who more than likely knows everything about their car and has done some aftermarket modifications to their vehicle. Tell-tale signs of a car that has been owned by a “car guy” are a car that has blacked out headlamps, an obnoxious wing, or pretentious looking bumpers. These cars often feature stiffer bushings, shocks, and springs that will ensure a noisy and harsh ride. A car guy will try to up-sell you on all their aftermarket add-ons but remember most aftermarket parts do not increase the residual value of the vehicle.

4. Get some car insurance. In the case of most cars that are 10 years old or older, insurance costs will be the most expensive on-going cost. Your age and the type of person you are affect your insurance premium just as much as the age and type of car does. If you are newly licensed or have less than three years of driving experience, expect to pay more in insurance than what your car is worth. It might sound odd at first paying more for a vehicle than it is worth but remember most cars weigh more than 3000 pounds, which makes it very easy to squash a person, or cause a lot of property damage. There are ways to get discounts on insurance such as joining AAA, having at least a B average in school, or taking defensive driving courses. You can also receive a lower rate by being added under your parents’ coverage. The flip side is that it is also very easy to increase your insurance costs; getting speeding tickets or getting into accidents are the number one ways to do this.

5.You have to know all the costs. Owning a car gives you freedom, but it comes a recurring cost. Knowing how to prepare for and manage these costs will go a long way to ensuring your financial stability. The best way to save money on future costs has been addressed in tips 1 through 4, but another way to reign in cost is to simply get a fuel efficient vehicle.
All of these tips were intended to be a starting point for your next used car purchase. Though there is no way to ensure that you have good cars that will last forever, these tips will definitely prevent you from buying a lemon. Remember, cars have thousands of parts with hundreds waiting to break at any time, so you sit back, buckle up, and brace yourself for the wonderful world of car ownership.

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