I'm going to be entering college in about 1.5 years, since i'm a junior this year. I've been thinking about what car i want to get and originally i wanted to go with the honda accord. But as i looked at the prices, it seemed it bit out of my range. (looking for like $20,000 max) Would the toyota matrix be a good car for an entering college student/senior high school student?
toyota matrix...good choice for student??
- Thread starter Wheatmaster
- Start date
Originally posted by: NutBucket
Originally posted by: MazerRackham
Er, yeah I'd think ANY new car would be good for a high school junior
Bingo.
And you can easily get an Accord for under 20. 20 almost gets an EX 4 banger or LX V6. Best bet would be an LX 4 banger for about 17-18.
Yep. The EX for about 20 would be before TT&L though, non leather. LXV6 has a premium of about $1k on the EX but seems to be in less demand than the EX. (The LXV6 is kind of the odd child) LX I4 can be had for under $20K including TT&L.
well if i were to get an accord it would have to be v6 auto which sets the base price pretty high up there compared to the matrix.
This probably isn't the advice you want to hear, but don't bother getting a new car just to go to college.
Reasons:
1. Many colleges don't allow freshman to have a car. Do you want to be making payments on a car you can't even have at school?
2. You may need that money for other things at school.
3. You're probably going to want a new car after you graduate. You'll lose a lot less if you buy used now.
4. Parking at schools is horrible. No real garages, tight spots, people bumping and dinging you. It's going to come out worse for the wear.
Reasons:
1. Many colleges don't allow freshman to have a car. Do you want to be making payments on a car you can't even have at school?
2. You may need that money for other things at school.
3. You're probably going to want a new car after you graduate. You'll lose a lot less if you buy used now.
4. Parking at schools is horrible. No real garages, tight spots, people bumping and dinging you. It's going to come out worse for the wear.
- Oct 28, 1999
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Seems like a intelligent choice to me.
Reliable.
Efficient.
Good resale.
Lots of space to help move stuff to and from when you need it.
I *personally* think the sibling the Vibe is better looking though. Same came under the skin. Can probably be bought for a bit cheaper as well.
Reliable.
Efficient.
Good resale.
Lots of space to help move stuff to and from when you need it.
I *personally* think the sibling the Vibe is better looking though. Same came under the skin. Can probably be bought for a bit cheaper as well.
Agree with nutbucket, Accord is completely doable. I know someone that got an Accord LX for $18k after tax.
I think you should look into more options
- Mazda 3s gives you the best bang for your bucks (Mazda's have been scoring higher in reliability than a Civic for 2001,2002) I haven't checked for 03 or 04.
- Honda Element - I think this is a better "college" car. Pack so much crap and always be carpooling your friends.
- Accord, Camry, Corolla, Civic, Impreza 2.5RS, Mazda3, Acura RSX, all great choices.. just gotta know what you want to use it for.
I think you should look into more options
- Mazda 3s gives you the best bang for your bucks (Mazda's have been scoring higher in reliability than a Civic for 2001,2002) I haven't checked for 03 or 04.
- Honda Element - I think this is a better "college" car. Pack so much crap and always be carpooling your friends.
- Accord, Camry, Corolla, Civic, Impreza 2.5RS, Mazda3, Acura RSX, all great choices.. just gotta know what you want to use it for.
I remember I was in high school and I just *had* to have a car. I got to college and hardly use it. Now all my friends that didn't have cars in high school (or just borrow their parents, as necessary) are getting really nice cars because they haven't been paying a car + insurance to essentially sit in a parking space 6 days a week But I go to the largest public school in the country so YMMV if you live elsewhere.
But I go to the largest public school in the country so YMMV if you live elsewhere.
get a 90's civic hatchback, or something hatchback/wagonish used. Will be great for transporting stuff to and from, plus friends.
Please don't get something new. It will cost you way more than it's worth. (especially when some football players decide to f' with it because its the cool thing to do
Please don't get something new. It will cost you way more than it's worth. (especially when some football players decide to f' with it because its the cool thing to do
NutBucket
Lifer
- Aug 30, 2000
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Originally posted by: beer
I remember I was in high school and I just *had* to have a car. I got to college and hardly use it. Now all my friends that didn't have cars in high school (or just borrow their parents, as necessary) are getting really nice cars because they haven't been paying a car + insurance to essentially sit in a parking space 6 days a week
Yeah, if you're on campus a car seems far less useful. Though, I wouldn't know as I commute.
Just get a beater and spend the money on school. You don't need a new car in college, not to mention the car payment and full coverage insurance premiums. For a new car with a young driver on a college campus, you will be raped without lube on insurance, and you're stupid if you don't put full coverage on a new car.
How would you feel if some drunk stumbling out of the party down the street came upon your nice new car and smashed a beer bottle on it? Or if some a$$hole who doesn't care about others' property (or is jealous) smashes his door into yours in an apartment building parking lot? I could show you pics of my doors that would make you cry. They were spotless when I brought my car to school. Now, a few years later, I can count 15-20 door dings that came from the parking lots around here. One of them is about the size of a nickel, and is probably 1/8" - 1/4" deep. Very obviously done on purpose, in other words.
Take my advice, DO NOT get a new car. Buy something that's decent, but also something you can put basic insurance on and won't cry about when it gets dinged or hit. You will thank me later, I promise.
How would you feel if some drunk stumbling out of the party down the street came upon your nice new car and smashed a beer bottle on it? Or if some a$$hole who doesn't care about others' property (or is jealous) smashes his door into yours in an apartment building parking lot? I could show you pics of my doors that would make you cry. They were spotless when I brought my car to school. Now, a few years later, I can count 15-20 door dings that came from the parking lots around here. One of them is about the size of a nickel, and is probably 1/8" - 1/4" deep. Very obviously done on purpose, in other words.
Take my advice, DO NOT get a new car. Buy something that's decent, but also something you can put basic insurance on and won't cry about when it gets dinged or hit. You will thank me later, I promise.
I agree, just get a beater and concentrate on school. If you do get a used car, get some cheap, reliable with good gas mileage. You will probably want something better after you graduate. When I was in high school and through college, I drove something that I inherited. Got me to where I needed to go and I didn't have to blow money on payments or gas. College kids can always use extra spending money.
He speaks the truth. But it also depends what kind of culture your university has.
Mine had really good bike roads throughout the city, so I drove my car maybe twice a week.
A bike was more than sufficient.
Perhaps this is not the case with some universities where commuting is essential. You might have to consider where you want to go and such.
But definitely, I would hold on to buying a brand new car until you graduate.
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