Juniors and Seniors are you starting to drive and looking for a new ride to show off to your friends? Many high schoolers want something flashy such as new Hellcat or even a Japanese Domestic Import to race their friends, but safety and price should always come first. Students need something that will guarantee a safe passage to school without any hiccups or bumps, and can protect you in any crashes. For an indecisive high schooler, this is an impossible task.
Currently, prices in the car market are outrageous and not affordable for a high schooler. If a student cannot afford to pay for gas and maintenance, they should not buy a car in the first place. Keep in mind your wants and needs when making a decision. Although, many people are fortunate enough to have a parent who is able to buy them a car, that is not the reality for most. Your first car may not be the best car, but it will get you where you need to go.
Where To Buy a Car
Currently, buying off the lot is the worst option for many high school students. The prices for lot vehicles are marked up around 13% on average and generally are a complete scam for students and the average individual. Most dealerships use sneaky tactics on oblivious individuals to make them pay more for less. In the end, most lot cars get repossessed due to the high payments parents or students must pay. On average, 65% of cars purchased from a dealership get repossessed (GitNux). Buying used cars from websites or auctions is always a cost-effective option. Used cars can be found for as little as 1,000$ with a bit of maintenance. Most people are scared to buy used because they may not have the knowledge to make the decision. Taking a family member is always acceptable, and hiring a mechanic is even better. Even with the maintenance cost and paying for the inspector’s time, you will come out way cheaper than buying off a new or used lot.
Basic Maintenance
Once you purchase the car, many students think this is where it ends. Buying the car is just the start. they will have to make sure the car has had proper maintenance, whether it be by a shop or with their bare hands. Make sure the oil, transmission fluid, and coolant are all at safe levels, and the fluid itself is safe to use in the car. Make sure to look for metal flakes in the oil and transmission fluid; it’s not common in coolant but be sure to make sure there is nothing floating in the liquid. Changing these fluids is as easy as looking at a YouTube tutorial and picking up 40 dollars worth of material. If they don’t find themself in a position to do this themselves or with an adult, students can still go and get the oil changed at a local shop. Try to be on the phone with someone during the change and consult everything being paid for. Fully paying off your car keeps you away from those pesky payments and allows you to focus on paying your insurance.
A recent car buyer, Nola Brown, talked about what they did when they first bought a car. When asked about the buying process, she said it was fully “paid off” and “bought it through a family friend.” When they received the car, they performed regular maintenance themself, and it ended up being cheaper than if they took it to the shop. “I brought my parents because I didn’t know what to look for”, this is always a good way to think when going through the buying process. Overall, the buying process can be very complicated for a student with little knowledge of cars. It can be made easier by following the steps explained and consulting with a trusted adult.
