What are the Best Cars for College Students?
October 22, 2015
As a college student, there is a good chance you paid cash for your car, or if you are like me, “renting” a car from the family so you can avoid the car payment. Do you ever find yourself wondering if there are different and better choices out there in the used car marketplace?
Here are the three best choices that have been around for a while in no particular order:
Subaru Forester: This is a small crossover-like SUV. It has always offered plenty of space, the traction of full-time all-wheel-drive, and usually retains good fuel economy. Newer cars can retain their value for a while, and the Subaru’s dependability has proven faultless, according to nonprofit Consumer Reports. Try to find one for a good price—from $6,000 (older high mileage example) est. to $30,000 est. (2016 XT model)
Honda Civic: Although proclaimed by some as a “boring” car to drive, the Civic has offered choices and options to those who seek it. Offered in gasoline, gas-electric Hybrid, and hot Si models, it offers a unique set of selling points to those who like driving (Si) and fuel economy. If you seek out performance, know that Si has not been available with an automatic transmission. That is, ever. Oh, and it’s higher strung than Donald Trump drinking Red Bull® energy drink. Quality? Civic has been great, according to Consumer Reports. From $3,000/4,000 (older high mileage base car) to $26,000 est. (2016 EX with leather and navigation)
Toyota Truck/Tacoma: Dating back to the curiously-named Truck (not kidding) of the 1980s, this couple of trucks has been around in one way or another and has appealed to those who can’t afford full-size truck fuel economy nor the parking space they take up. Bless your heart if you are able to find a good example of the Truck, as Truck was replaced by the popular Tacoma which continues to this day. Power comes from a reliable four-cylinder (no speeding tickets here) or a nicer V-6, a Toyota truck signature. Reliability has been good to excellent, and Consumer Reports has spoken positively of Tacoma for a while. From $1,000 (1990s high mileage Truck) to $40,000 est. (2016 Tacoma Limited V-6 automatic)