A graduate’s guide to buying a car Advertiser Disclosure Advertiser Disclosure We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our mission is to help you make better financial choices by providing you with interactive financial calculators and tools as well as publishing high-quality and impartial content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare data for free and help you make informed financial decisions. Bankrate has agreements with issuers such as, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Earn money The products that appear on this website are provided by companies that pay us. This compensation can affect the way and where products appear on the site, such as for instance, the sequence in which they appear in the listing categories, except where prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity and other products for home loans. But this compensation does have no impact on the information we provide, or the reviews appear on this website. We do not consider the entire universe of businesses or financial offerings that might be accessible to you. Kali9/Getty Images
4 min read Published 16 September 2022
Written by Allison Martin Allison Martin Written by Allison Martin’s work started over 10 years ago as a digital media strategist. She’s been published in several leading financial outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, MSN Money, MoneyTalksNews , Investopedia, Experian and Credit.com. Editor: Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been writing and editing for Bankrate from late 2021. They are passionate about helping readers gain the confidence to control their finances with concise, well-researched and well-written information that breaks down complicated topics into bite-sized pieces. The Bankrate promise
More details
At Bankrate we aim to help you make smarter financial decisions. We adhere to the highest standards of ethical standards ,
this post may contain some references to products offered by our partners. Here’s a brief explanation of how we make money . The Bankrate promise
In 1976, Bankrate was founded. Bankrate has a proven track history of helping people make informed financial decisions.
We’ve earned this name for more than four decades through demystifying the financial decision-making
process and giving people confidence in the decisions they will take next. Bankrate follows a strict ,
so you can trust you can trust us to put your needs first. All of our content was created by and edited by ,
We make sure that everything we publish will ensure that our content is reliable, honest and trustworthy. Our loans reporter and editor focus on the things that consumers are interested about most — the different kinds of lending options as well as the best rates, the best lenders, the best ways to pay off debt , and more — so you’re able to be confident about investing your money. Integrity in editing
Bankrate has a strict policy , so you can trust that we put your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content that will aid you in making the best financial decisions. Our main principles are that we appreciate your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have standards for editorial content in place to ensure this happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re receiving is true. We have a strict separation between advertisers as well as our editorial staff. Our editorial team doesn’t receive any direct payment through our sponsors. Editorial Independence Bankrate’s editorial staff writes in the name of YOU the reader. Our aim is to provide you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content isn’t influenced by advertisers. Our editorial staff receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is checked for accuracy to ensure its truthfulness. So, whether you’re reading an article or a report it is safe to know that you’re receiving reliable and dependable information. How we earn money
If you have questions about money. Bankrate has the answers. Our experts have been helping you master your finances for more than four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert guidance and the tools necessary to be successful throughout their financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict standard of conduct, which means that you can trust that our content is honest and reliable. Our award-winning editors and reporters produce honest and reliable content to help you make the best financial decisions. The content we create by our editorial team is factual, objective and uninfluenced from our advertising. We’re transparent regarding how we’re able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and practical tools for you , by describing how we earn money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We receive compensation for the placement of sponsored products and services, or when you click on specific links on our website. Therefore, this compensation may influence the manner, place and in what order products appear within listing categories, with the exception of those the law prohibits it in the case of our home equity, mortgage, and other home lending products. Other elements, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether the product is available in the area you reside in or is within your self-selected credit score range may also influence how and when products appear on this site. Although we try to offer an array of offers, Bankrate does not include information about every credit or financial product or service. You’ll be walking across the stage shortly to be awarded your diploma and now it’s time to journey into the real world. A car purchase could be part of the plan if you plan to live in an area where public transportation isn’t the most efficient method of travel. But before you head to the dealer to choose the ideal car, you should do some research and obtain preapproved and so that you can shop with confidence. Select the vehicle that is suitable for you post-graduation. The idea of buying the car of your dreams is thrilling. But, it is important to avoid becoming distracted. Or, you might choose a car that suits your taste however isn’t practical. Commute How long is your commute to and from work? If your commute is lengthy, you may want focus your hunt down to cars that have good efficiency ratings in terms of fuel consumption and especially considering how gas prices are trending. At present, it’s around $3.70 to the gallon in regular fuel, according to AAA that’s just a bit lower than the previous month’s average of $3.96. However, this is significantly higher than the average price for a gallon that was $3.18 in the same year ago. Go to the website and use their online tool to check the annual average fuel cost for any vehicles you are contemplating. It is possible to narrow by year, year-old, and model, or browse recommendations for the most fuel-efficient cars. Dimensions and other features Are compact cars enough or do you require something more substantial, like a crossover or pickup truck? What are the best features? are certain ones a “must-have” in your list? If you have recently been offered an employment with a high pay that will begin soon after graduating, you may have the latest technology and features. However, you might be better off with an affordable car the hassles until you get started and become more established in your career. Safety features How safe is the vehicle you’re considering? Request a copy of the vehicle’s . It includes maintenance records and discloses if the car was involved in any accident. The is another good resource. You can search for safety ratings and check for recalls by entering the car’s make and model, or VIN. Decide between new and used There is a lot to enjoy about a new car. It’s shiny, in top form and smells delicious. But the reality is some are just as trustworthy. Additionally, you can purchase an extended warranty for about $1500, and get security knowing that you’re safe in the scenario of a major mechanical malfunction. Take note of the following when making a decision between a brand new or used vehicle: New vehicles have a manufacturer’s warranty. This warranty could save you lots of money if your car is damaged and requires major repairs in the initial several years that you own it. New cars typically have modern features. But, it is possible to discover a second-hand car that has the features you desire. Certain used cars may come with low mileage. So, you shouldn’t have numerous mechanical issues over time. Maintenance costs will likely be lower , and you’ll receive a better deal. Certain used vehicles are . These are given the manufacturer’s seal of acceptance after having been brought up to a set standard mechanically and have an limited warranty from the factory. Consider the total cost of ownership of a vehicle. Besides the monthly payment for fuel, as well as auto insurance premiums, you should also factor in maintenance and repair costs. In 2021, the median expense for maintenance, repairs and tires was around 9.55 center per mile, as reported by . Still, these costs vary according to the vehicle you own, but you can use the calculator to determine how much you could spend over time. Annual registration renewal expenses that typically vary from less than $20 to just over $200 per year, are important to consider. Certain states charge a flat fee for registration, while other states use the age of your car, its fuel efficiency or weight to calculate the registration fee. Research cars and get financed before visiting a dealership. The majority of dealerships offer financing in-house, but it’s wiser to prior to shopping for an automobile. You should know what you can actually afford and also get quotes from your bank or credit union will help you decide on an amount that is feasible for you. There’s also more leverage when . The sale won’t be contingent upon the ability of you to obtain financing through the dealership and you can behave like the cash buyer. Know the advantages of purchasing vs. leasing There’s plenty of chatter around and which one is more suitable. There are a few advantages of both options lease payments on more recent vehicles are generally cheaper. If you have your sights set on a certain car that’s a bit expensive it is possible to afford the monthly payment when you lease. You’ll get a manufacturer’s warranty for leases of a brand new vehicle. It typically will cover you for up to 36,000 miles or three years, so you won’t be required to spend a fortune on repairs if there is a mechanical problem that arises. There are no mileage restrictions when you purchase a car. However, if you choose to lease, you’ll be restricted to between 10,000 to 15,000 miles per calendar year, or you could end up paying excessive mileage fees. They can cost you between 10 cents and 25 cents per mile or more according to the specifics of the lease agreement. The car will be yours once the loan is fully paid. Lease agreements operate differently, though. You’ll need to return the vehicle to the dealer once the lease expires unless you choose to . Next steps Ultimately, buying an automobile in college is one of the most significant purchases you’ll make. To ensure that you are getting the best deal make sure you do your research to find a ride that complements both your lifestyle and budget. It is equally crucial to be preapproved for financing prior to going to any dealerships and evaluate the advantages of buying or leasing to determine which one is better. Learn more
SHARE:
Allison Martin’s writing began over 10 years ago, as an online content strategist and she’s since been published in a variety of top financial publications which include The Wall Street Journal, MSN Money, MoneyTalksNews , Investopedia, Experian and Credit.com. Edited by Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been writing and editing for Bankrate since late 2021. They are passionate about helping readers gain the confidence to manage their finances with precise, well-studied information that breaks down complicated topics into digestible pieces.
Auto loans editor
Related Articles Auto Loans 4 minutes read in Mar 07 2023 auto Loans 4 min read March 02, 2023 Car Insurance 7 min read Feb 15, 2023 auto Loans five minutes read October 10 2022
If you have any questions relating to the place and how to use payday loan online same day, you can get hold of us at our own page.