Best Cars for College Students
Buying a car in college can be stressful, especially if it is your first time. There are many factors to take into consideration to find the car that will be your perfect campus companion. You will find advice on how to approach these factors as well as our top picks for cars for college students in this comprehensive post!
What factors usually matter most in cars for college students?
Affordability
Because college students are typically young and just getting started in the adult world, affordability is usually a top concern. Although some new cars definitely give you a lot of bang for your buck, many families opt to buy a used car as a college student’s first since these are more affordable. Consider the resources you have available to you when deciding whether to look at used or new cars.
Reliability
It is also incredibly important to consider the reliability of your vehicle, especially if affordability is an important factor. Not only does this affect your ability to get to classes on time, but a reliable vehicle is more affordable in the long run because of lower maintenance costs.
Car Type
Consider your personal needs. Is your college far from home, so you’ll need to haul belongings and be comfortable driving for a long period to make it home during winter break? Are you planning to travel a lot with friends? Is your college in a city or rural area, and how much parking space is there? These sorts of questions will help you narrow down the cars you should look at based on factors like size and fuel efficiency.
Longevity
We know this is a difficult question for many college students, but it is important to think about your plans after graduation when choosing a car. If you only plan to use your car in college, it may be better to get an older, used car that won’t last as long. If, however, you will need this car to help you reliably commute to your post-graduation job, you may want to consider investing in a vehicle that will last longer.
It’s my first time buying a car. What are some common questions?
How do I know if a car is safe?
There are several steps you can take during the car acquisition process that will help you determine its safety.
For used cars, look up the vehicle’s history on CarFax. This will tell you about any recalls, major maintenance, or accidents in its past. If you are buying from a dealership, you may be able to ask them to pull the report for you.
For both brand new and used cars, look up the NHTSA and IIHS crash test ratings. After entering the year, make, and model of the car on these databases, they will tell you how these cars scored in various crash scenarios such as rollovers and collisions.
How much will it cost me to buy a car in total?
Please read our recent blog about the Hidden Costs of Car Ownership for a more detailed explanation.
When buying the car, you will need to consider more than just the sticker price. Depending on your situation, car registration and property taxes may be a significant portion of the bill. Once the car is in your hands, the costs don’t end. Car ownership comes with many additional costs. At your university, you likely will have to pay for a yearly parking pass. Car insurance is another bill to consider, especially since being under that age of 25 typically increases premiums.
You may also want to consider an extended warranty. This can help reduce repair costs, but you also have to factor its cost into your budget.
Consider early maintenance, emergency repair costs, and fuel in your budget. This will vary depending on the gas mileage and reliability of your vehicle.
Can I lease a car as a college student?
You may have issues leasing a car by yourself since most college students are just starting to build credit. However, you may be approved if you have someone else with a longer credit history, such as your parents, act as your cosigner.
Should I save for a down payment?
Yes! This will make it so much easier on you if you are not buying a car outright. The more you put down on a car, the better your financial situation will be in the long run due to interest. If you need help working out the specifics of a vehicle loan and budget, try using a loan payment calculator.
Which cars are best for college students?
Based on all these considerations, here are some of our recommendations for cars for college students.
Mazda3
The Mazda3 is great for students who are looking to feel stylish but still want a car with top notch reliability and safety ratings. In fact, this year’s 2024 model was once again a top safety pick in small cars by the IIHS. You can choose between the sedan or hatchback depending on cargo needs. In exchange for style and reliability, this option is a bit pricier than some of the others on this list.
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is popular among college students, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s reliable and compact, has a high gas mileage, and both new models and models from 2011-2014 score highly on IIHS safety tests. It also averages fairly low ownership costs, making it the perfect first car for many college students.
Toyota Camry
With a “respectable” gas mileage, top safety ratings from the IIHS since 2012, and a rating as one of the best picks on a budget by Kelley Blue Book for several model years, the Toyota Camry is the perfect choice if you are a no-nonsense personality who cares about practicality and staying in budget above all else.
Toyota Prius
There are quite a few used Toyota Priuses on the market, meaning that this subcompact car is an easily available choice. It also has great gas mileage and the 2024 model was named the most eco-friendly car of the year, so you can save at the pump! It was also rated the cheapest car in terms of maintenance and repair costs by Motor1, a relief for those on a budget.
Jeep Wrangler
The Jeep Wrangler is a pick for the more adventurous students! For those who are looking to take a lot of weekend road trips or have an outdoorsy spring break adventure, the Jeep Wrangler might be the best pick.
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is old reliable. For the past ten years, the Honda Civic has received the Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award for compact cars, with two years of models (2016-2017) receiving the Best Buy Overall Award. By this point, the car has a “well established reputation for being one of the most reliable vehicles” on the market. It also receives high safety ratings from IIHS. If reliability is your top concern, this is the car for you!
Honda Accord
If the Honda Civic sounds like the car for you but you need a little more space, the Honda Accord may just be the car for you. Just like its sibling, it is known for lasting a long time, high safety ratings, low average insurance rates, and being a Kelley Blue Book Best Buy in multiple years.
Conclusion
Whether you are a studious bookworm or a partier in college, picking the right car for your needs is important to having the best possible experience. We hope this guide has helped you find the perfect car!
