<p>So my parents promised to buy me a new car for college. They want me to get some type of SUV crossover, such as the Ford Escape or Honda CRV. I, however, am more into the sporty kind of car. I'm looking at Audis and Mercedez Benz's. However, if I chose to get one of these, I would have to get a used one (probably ~'08, '09) because a new car exceeds the budget. What would you choose in this situation? A decent new car, or a luxurious used car?</p>
<p>I had this exact conversation with my friends today. We determined that you could either go for better functionality with a newer, less prestigious car, or slightly lower functionality but higher prestige with an audi or something. It’s really up to you, there’s no right or wrong answer.</p>
<p>Lucky ■■■■■■■, I’m still in my '95 mustang with one working door. I think everyone should be given an old beater for at least a year after they get their license. Do you have to pay for gas? Insurance? If so, both of these would point towards getting the crossover. If not, you’re a lucky ■■■■■■■ and you should get an audi.</p>
<p>Don’t waste your parents’ money on a car.
When you go off to college, you’ll be spending most of your time on campus, NOT DRIVING. If you want to go anywhere for the weekend, do yourself a favor and rent.</p>
<p>Also, never buy a post 1980’s German automobile out of warranty. Don’t get something that will only cause perpetual headaches just because you want to prance around under the facade of wealth and prestige.</p>
<p>why do your parents want to buy you a car?</p>
<p>^^ I’m with this. You won’t really need one in college unless you commute. Cars in high school are a bit more necessary, too bad I’m never getting one :(.</p>
<p>My parents offered to buy me a car if I stayed in state for college and got a full scholarship to college. Well I did, and now they’re buying me a car. If they’re offering to buy me one, I’m going to take it. Who could turn that down?</p>
<p>Fair enough. What types of cars do your friends/peers have? Like will you get looked down upon for not having an audi, or will you be seen as spoiled for having an audi? There’s a lot of factors that go into this :p.</p>
<p>I understand they made a deal w you about the car thing, but I suggest getting a practical car.
Have you talked to them about a budget or what they are willing to spend? </p>
<p>Sent from my iPod touch using CC</p>
<p>How about you don’t take them up on their offer, and let them save some more money. They spend an estimated 10k a year on you already, this should be a reprieve for them.</p>
<p>And if you really MUST, don’t get the German car, you’ll end up paying more in repairs than the actual cost of the car itself.</p>
<p>dfree- None of my friends drive a nice car. I don’t live in a very wealthy town. I would be seen as spoiled for having any new car, much less an Audi. I already drive a pretty nice F-150 and I’m viewed as spoiled for driving it… But the college I’m going to is about 4 hours away so I don’t see a problem there.</p>
<p>papertiger- they’re willing to spend ~20K, perhaps a bit more if there is a particularly good deal. </p>
<p>boomstick- I don’t understand, are the German cars unreliable? I know that repairing them is difficult, as in getting the parts and such, but I was under the impression that they are finely made vehicles that hopefully wouldn’t need much repairing.</p>
<p>Very much so</p>
<p>For some reason, in the late 80’s, the big 3 German automakers (Audi, BMW and Mercedes), decided that they no longer needed to over-engineer their vehicles, and instead grew fat and content with putting decent engines in below mediocre bodies. Quality has gone up in the past half-decade, but even now the issues you will experience with the vast majority of German cars in your price range will drive you absolutely mad.</p>
<p>^ Someone’s obviously never driven an American car and had to deal with real quality issues.</p>
<p>Wait, you already have a car?
Seems kind of pointless them getting you another one. Unless that F-150 is on it’s last leg or something.
Luxury cars aren’t cheap and the upkeep is a headache. Also you would have to use a higher grade gas. So overall it will be expensive to keep it in good tiptop shape. </p>
<p>Sent from my iPod touch using CC</p>
<p>If you get a German car just buy it certified pre-owned, it will come with a warranty (I think for 3 years?) although it will be a bit more expensive than buying a car at a normal used car lot. Otherwise an '09 should still be within the 100K/5 year warranty plan from the dealer.</p>
<p>dude, just get a Honda Civic. Those things are great as first cars, are reliable, and look nice for the budget. Don’t get an expensive car…I hate spoiled ass rich kids. Just saying :)</p>
<p>Yo dude! You da man! I’d get a Mercedes and show those other college freshmen my bling bling, cuz a Mercedes is OUTTA DIS WORLD!</p>
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<p>Way to play into stereotypes, the big three have dramatically improved the quality on much of their model range. That much is a fact. That being said, if you’re buying an older American car, you’re just as stupid as the idiot who buys an out of warranty Mercedes.</p>
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<p>NONE, read my words NONE of the big three German luxury automakers provide you with a 5 year 100k warranty. You’ll be lucky to get 4 years and 50,000 miles. After which, your only choices are.</p>
<p>A. Buy extended warranty (which is a massive rip-off)
B. Find yourself a decent, trustworthy, independent garage
C. Learn how to fix your own car.</p>
<p>Hmmm. You guys are convincing me not to go with the German car. This will be a tough choice.</p>
<p>You should get a car like mine.</p>
<p>A 1991 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera that despite being 21 years old still runs beautifully and gets 19 MPG, better than a modern SUV. Score one for American engineering.</p>
<p>Personally if an Audi or Mercedes were in my price range I would go for Cadillac. Just take a test drive in one of those, they’re great.</p>
<p>And by the way, I needed my car. I’m in one of the least walkable large cities in the nation and I live over 15 miles away from my school. To be able to take the bus after moving Freshman year I would have had to go to another school where I knew nobody. </p>
<p>As for people saying a car isn’t needed in college, it’s only reasonable to think you won’t want a car if you’re going to a very small, walkable town or a large city with great public transportation. Anywhere in between and you’ll end up wishing you had it eventually. What about going home and getting a job too?</p>
<p>Sorry, just felt like defending my car driving after seeing some of these posts.</p>