August is officially here and the school year is rapidly approaching. Now is the time to start prepping for all the items your kids need for returning back to school. And when it comes to purchasing a vehicle for your college student, there are several factors to consider. With so many options to decide on, it’s important to understand what to look for before the search even begins.
How to Find the Best Car for Your College Student
Safety
Most parents would agree that safety is one of the top priorities when it comes to their children. Purchasing a vehicle for your college student that’s bigger in size can help, but there are other ways to guarantee you’re buying a safe car. High-tech safety features are a great place to start—options such as a backup camera, lane departure warning system, and adaptive headlights can pay off by lowering insurance costs. Other more standard options such as anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, and electronic stability control bring additional safety measures for young drivers. Be aware of the benefits of a car’s safety options, as they could someday prove to be a great investment.
Size
Having the right size vehicle for your student’s needs is something to consider when looking for a car. Will they be commuting frequently to a part-time job? A smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicle might work. Will they be hauling larger items from time-to-time? A midsize SUV may be more practical. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that bigger, heavier cars are the safest choice for teens and young adults and consumers “won’t find minicars or small cars among the best choices or the good choices.”
Price
It’s no surprise that price plays a significant role when it comes to deciding on a vehicle for your student. For most families, a brand-new sedan with all the latest features typically isn’t in the budget for college students, so it’s essential to be able to distinguish what’s most important to you and your child. Beginning the research for the best vehicle starts with knowing which safety features you and your student care about the most.
Poquet Auto offers a wide variety of used vehicles at an affordable price. Although we specialize in used luxury vehicles, we have a large inventory that includes practical and economic vehicles for both teens and young adults.
Fuel
A final factor to consider when car shopping is gas consumption. Most college students have a tight budget, so spending extra money at the pump filling up an SUV or pickup truck isn’t always rational. You don’t want to leave your student making difficult decisions just so they can afford to drive their vehicle. Finding a larger vehicle that gets good gas mileage can be a win-win when it comes to looking for a car for your student.
Once you find the right car for your college student, you’ll need the right financing. Find out how Poquet Auto can help you with financing options, which makes sending your student off to college a little easier.
