<p>Pardon my ignorance, but...</p>
<p>can someone just tell me, without any frills and in broad generalities: </p>
<p>what does it cost for an 18-year-old who's never previously owned a car to:</p>
<p>purchase his first very used car (just good enough to avoid constant problems)
insure it
maintain it roadworthy (suburban L.A., relatively safe/upscale area)</p>
<p>I'd estimate for a used car, maybe $3000 or something might be a decent price. The cost of owning a car wouldn't really be the upfront costs, but the hidden costs associated with owning one such as car insurance and car maintenance. I'd estimate maybe $1,000-$2,000/year for insurance...quite expensive.</p>
<p>When we looked at used cars we found it very hard to find anything that I thought the kids would be safe in. Not only that, but we looked at many cars that the owners "knew nothing about" and then when you Carfax them they've been totaled or something. Anyway, I found the whole process tough. We had never bought a used car before, and I pictured easily finding a car that some old lady had owned and only driven to the grocery store. Ha! I did not picture spending weekends running around looking at crappy cars!</p>
<p>I wasn't satisfied until we found a 2005 Vibe that was about $9,000. At that point we decided it was too expensive and just let one of my kids suffer all summer without a car. ;)</p>
<p>I think you need to plan to spend at least $5K on the car -- and I'd be happier at 10K. Spend less, and budget for more repairs. I would be tempted to look for a theoretically reliable less expensive car, but get one that's just off-lease and then buy the extended warranty. Repairs are a pain, and expensive.</p>
<p>I also like buying from a dealer. The upfront costs may be a little higher, but the car should be a little cleaner with basic repairs and maintenance done before you even see it -- or certainly before you take it home. And have a mechanic check any used car over before you fork over your money.</p>
<p>As a young and independent adult I had a "dream car" a <em>rebuilt</em> 12 year old '65 Mustang. Paid for it free and clear, but after a year or so, the repairs were really adding up. Sadly sold it and bumped up to a <em>new</em> econonbox -- and what I was saving on the repairs paid the car payment and then some. (However -- I did have the Mustang for 4 years, put 48K miles on it, and sold it for more than I paid for it.)</p>
<p>My h.s. senior S has a very old used truck (1996 Toyota 4 WD, paid $6000 two years ago). It cost about $1200/yr. for insurance. About $50 to fill it up with gas. We've put new tires on it and had a brake job done plus a few other maintenence jobs costing about $1200. S changes his own oil ($25 each time)and does mnior repairs himself.</p>
<p>I know this isn't what you are asking...but my kids didn't HAVE cars in undergraduate school because of the associated costs. We (like Weenie) had trouble even finding something reliable for under many thousands of dollars. Then we had to add the insurance costs (for urban environments....more expensive than where we live), gas costs, maintenance, parking (in a city that can be costly even ON the college campus). We decided collectively that the kids really didn't NEED a car...they wanted one. So...we just didn't get one for them to have at school. Now we do have a third car...but it never went to undergrad school.</p>
<p>I don't trust cheap used cars, for safety reasons, and because the constant cost of repairs is so high and inconvenient. So when we decided that d needed a car, she got a used one - mine. I knew all the maintenance records on it, knew exactly what it needed, how much repairs cost, and was comfortable that it was safe. Then I went out and bought the "new" (used) car for myself.</p>
<p>I don't know the insurance rates for LA, but I do know that in Massachusetts, rates for drivers under 24 are ridiculously high - over $3000 if the kid has her own car (i.e., if there are an equal number of drivers and cars in the household). I don't think that LA would be that much cheaper.</p>
<p>I've got to agree that unless something falls into your lap, expect to pay a minimum of $5k for a small, reliable, relatively safe vehicle. Insurance costs will be a factor of number of years licensed, driver's history of violations/accidents, and type and locale of vehicle. I would anticipate a few grand a year for coverage.</p>
<p>We never purchased, but were fortunate to have two very useable cars gifted to kids by extended family. My son got his grandfather's 1990 Dodge Dakota pick/up, my daughter her uncle's 90 Ford Probe. Both of these vehicles are still in use, are reliable, and safe. I transferred ownership to each kid when they graduated.</p>
<p>While the cars were old, I knew the repair history. My father was a trained mechanic, my brother-in-law always followed service recommendations and schedules to the letter.</p>
<p>Any older car will need repair: tires, water pumps, alternators, exhaust systems, brakes are all disposable items requiring periodic replacement. Front and four wheel drive vehicles axle boots can be expensive to replace, particularly multiples at once.</p>
<p>My son was an instrumental performance/music ed major and the vehicle was almost a necessity, as there were many off-site classes and practicums, plus it allowed him to extend his area for paid gigs; he had the vehicle 4 of 5 years at school. My daughter never had her vehicle on campus.</p>
<p>One source that may work is family, friends, and neighbors. They are not likely to screw you with a false vehicle history, and may be very willing to let the car go for far less than book value.</p>
<p>Another question is how much are you willing to pay for peace of mind. A less than reliable vehicle is prone to roadside breakdown (and potential safety issues if it happens in a bad area or late at night), dealing with unfamiliar service providers, possible missed classes if student lives off campus. Things to think about.</p>
<p>I'd try and find a well cared for Honda or Toyota if possible. Both very dependable, front wheel drives, good on gas.</p>
<p>Caveat emptor.</p>
<p>our son's first car was a 96 Plymouth Neon with 56k miles and which set him back $1600. It served him well for 4 years, nothing other than routine maintenance. The biggest expense was car insurance which was in the $1000 range.</p>
<p>Sadly this spring it began having ignition problems and we lent him my '00 Hyundai to travel to the west coast for his summer internship. While there the Neon died and we donated it to charity. Sold him the Hyundai for a buck and are hoping that it lasts him another 5 or 6 years, putting his capital car cost in the $300/yr neighborhood.</p>
<p>DD and DS both have Toyota Corollas that they bought used in high school for $2000 each (DS is a 1986, DD's a "newer 94") and took to college. S in now a senior, D a sophomore. Both go to school at least 1600 miles from home. S pays for his own insurance on his own policy (and has since 2005) which runs him a bit more than $500 per year (yes year; liability only) while D's is about the same though she is still on our policy. S does most of his own work on car, D has learned to change her oil :) Both cars continue to get great gas milage (30s mpg wise) and for the price outdo some hybrids. DH is looking for a Corolla to replace his car when it dies.</p>
<p>We've just been thru this with one of our kids...</p>
<p>If we could have found the Chevy Prizm in our area (which is the same car as the Toyota Corolla (built same factory just different badging and other minor cosmetic differences), we would have bought one. Since they don't have the Toyota name, the resale price is lower than that of the Corolla.</p>
<p>My h first thought that we could really get by buying a really cheap and old reliable car. The problem is that "really cheap and old' and dependably reliable rarely go hand and hand - unless you find yourself in a lucky situation. </p>
<p>One reason is that the really reliable cars (Honda, etc) tend to hold their value so even if the car is older, the seller still wants a rather high price for an old car with 150k+ miles on it.</p>
<p>The truly cheap old cars are just not totally reliable. A friend of mine gave her 99 Malibu to her grandson (she never had any trouble with it). About a month later there was engine trouble and estimate to fix was $4k - more than the car was worth (Blue Book was about $2k) Luckily she had given the car to her grandson for free so he wasn't angy, but if she had sold that car to someone, they probably would be very upset now because they would have paid $2k for a car that was now worthless.</p>
<h2>Because we aren't "handy" people and can't work on our own cars, we ended up buying our kid a newer used car (he's paying half).</h2>
<p>However, if you have no choice but to spend as little as possible ... below is a list of used cars that are less likely to give you trouble....</p>
<p>Cars less than $4k</p>
<p>Chevrolet Prizm ‘98 (same as Toyota Corolla - built in same factory!!! If you can find one, BUT IT!!!));
Chevrolet Tracker ‘98
Ford Escort ‘99
Geo Prizm ’97 (Geo became Chevy. Car is same as Toyota Corolla)
Mazda Proteg</p>
<p>We bought an old Volvo for 2K and spent almost that much on repairs. The A/C ate up most of that and still wasn't working when we sold it. I guess if we lived in a cooler climate where A/C isn't a necessity it would have been a reliable car. The seat warmers worked great!</p>
<p>I have a neighbor who gave me an article about some economist's theory that the only good used car you can get you get through "inside" knowledge - a family car, or a good friend's car... It was pretty funny. Something about that people who know their car is good sell it to a friend, people who know their car is bad sell it to a stranger. </p>
<p>I know cars that "come in off of leases" might be good, but they are usually quite new and expensive! Used rental cars are OK too, but same problem as leased cars.</p>
<p>kriket- Other than condenser issues, the single largest problem with AC repair is that most shops will not take the time to diaganose the source of a Freon leak. As the vehicle ages hoses, seals, and o-rings deteriorate, and the system loses efficiency or becomes completely ineffective.</p>
<p>As such, many "repairs" last less than a season, as Freon leaks from the system. The only way around it is to trust your tech, and make them aware that you will be back (at their cost) if the problem is not rectified.</p>
<p>Hahah cars are so different from campus to campus. At my school if you don't have a car, you'll feel left out. We have a girl that drives a Bentley Continental GT, a kid who drives an H1... The three most common cars in the parking garage are: BMW 3 series, Audi A4, Mini Cooper.</p>
<p>But see how parking is at your school... that is the biggest factor in how much of a role cars play at that given school...</p>
<p>Just one word: Flexcar.</p>
<p>Flexcar is a great idea for college students. I've never really checked it out -- can they get into the program? Or do you have to be older? (I imagine a Flexcar program that primarily consisted of college students would have pretty high insurance costs.)</p>
<p>Zipcar's another one on many college campuses, but you must be 19 to rent.</p>
<p>OP here,
re: "needs and wants" -- he'd be using the car, IF he got one, to commute to internships required by his major field. I understand these film-related internships are in downtown L.A., not near his college. We're also trying to research public transpo but it might be too limited. Nothing specific yet, but the department talks about taking 2 or 3 internships before graduation. I'll also have him check into whether students carpool to such internships. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, I drive a 1997 Cadillac that we bought from a dealer 4 years ago by bidding on Ebay. It's held up rather well. Ebay saved us a thousand dollars.</p>
<p>Older two had no cars throughout college, because there was no vocational need for same. </p>
<p>H is opposed to his having a car because of the raw expense. I'm just trying to get some figures, to see if it's realistic to tell S to get a summer job and do it on his own. </p>
<p>H makes the interesting point that S could take the light train into downtown LA and cab to internships, and he'd be paying less than to own and maintain a car. ALso if it's from a train station in downtown LA to a film studio or office, then perhaps there are public busses, but all the safety concerns have to be researched as well. Generally, I have no concerns during daylight but don't want to be a foolish either. </p>
<p>So I have a year to figure this out. It troubles me.</p>
<p>When we were looking at cars, we talked to our insurance agent first. He told us that larger engine cars (8 cylinder) tend to cost more to insure. </p>
<p>Also... If my son had got a Mustang GT (that he wanted) it would have been a LOT more to insure than the car that he got (smaller engine).</p>