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 offering you interactive tools and financial calculators that provide objective and original content. This allows you to conduct your own research and compare information for free – so that you can make informed financial decisions. Bankrate has agreements with issuers including, but not restricted to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Earn money The products that appear on this website come from companies who pay us. This compensation could affect how and where products appear on this site, including for instance, the sequence in which they appear within the listing categories and other categories, unless prohibited by law for our mortgage, home equity, and other home lending products. But this compensation does affect the information we provide, or the reviews you see on this site. We do not consider the universe of companies or financial offers that may be accessible to you. kali9/Getty Images
4 min read Published September 16, 2022
Written by Allison Martin Allison Martin Written by Allison Martin’s work began over 10 years ago as a digital content strategist, and she’s since published in numerous prestigious financial publications, including The Wall Street Journal, MSN Money, MoneyTalksNews , Investopedia, Experian and Credit.com. Editor: Rhys Subitch Edited by Auto loans editor Rhys has been editing and writing for Bankrate from late 2021. They are passionate about helping readers to take control of their finances by providing concise, well-researched and well-written information that breaks down complex topics into manageable bites. The Bankrate promises
More information
At Bankrate we strive to help you make better financial choices. While we adhere to strict journalistic integrity ,
this post may contain some references to products offered by our partners. Here’s an explanation for how we earn money . The Bankrate promise
In 1976, Bankrate was founded. Bankrate has a proven track experience of helping customers make wise financial decisions.
We’ve earned this name for more than 40 years by demystifying the financial decision-making
process, and giving people confidence in the decisions they will do next. Bankrate has a very strict ,
So you can be sure that we’ll put your interests first. All of our content is authored with and edited ,
who ensure everything we publish will ensure that our content is reliable, honest and reliable. Our loans journalists and editors concentrate on the things that consumers are interested about most — the various types of loans available as well as the best rates, the best lenders, ways to repay debt, and many more. So you’ll be able to feel secure when making your decision to invest your money. Editorial integrity
Bankrate has a strict policy standard of conduct, which means you can be confident that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors, reporters and editors produce honest and reliable content that will assist you in making the right financial decisions. The key principles We respect your confidence. Our mission is to provide our readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that this happens. Our reporters and editors rigorously verify the truthfulness of content in order to make sure the information you’re receiving is accurate. We keep a barrier with our advertising partners and the editorial team. The editorial team of Editorial Independence Bankrate does not receive compensation directly by our advertising partners. Editorial Independence Bankrate’s team of editors writes for YOU the reader. Our goal is to give you the most relevant advice to help you make intelligent financial decisions for your personal finances. We adhere to strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not affected by advertisements. Our editorial team receives no directly from advertisers, and all of our content is fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review it is safe to know that you’re getting credible and dependable information. What we do to earn money
If you have questions about money. Bankrate can help. Our experts have been helping you master your finances for more than four years. We continually strive to give our customers the right advice and the tools required to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate adheres to a strict code of conduct standard of conduct, which means that you can trust that our content is truthful and reliable. Our award-winning editors and reporters provide honest and trustworthy information to assist you in making the right financial choices. The content we create by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced through our sponsors. We’re honest regarding how we’re in a position to provide quality information, competitive rates and practical tools for you by explaining how we earn our money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and services, or by you clicking on certain hyperlinks on our website. This compensation could impact how, where and in what order products are displayed within the listing categories, with the exception of those prohibited by law regarding our mortgages, home equity and other home lending products. Other factors, like our own rules for our website and whether the product is offered in the area you reside in or is within your self-selected credit score range could also affect how and when products appear on this site. We strive to provide the most diverse selection of products, Bankrate does not include information about each financial or credit item or service. You’ll be walking across the stage shortly to receive your diploma and now it’s time to go out into the world. Buying a car may be a part of the plan if you are going to reside in an area in which public transportation isn’t the best way to get around. But before you head to the dealer to pick out the perfect car, you should do some research and be preapproved for the purchase so that you make an informed decision. Choose the car that’s right for your lifestyle post-graduation The thought of purchasing the car of your dreams is thrilling. But you should be careful not to becoming distracted. Or, you might choose a car that is in line with your preferences yet isn’t practical. Commute How long is your commute to and from work? If your commute is lengthy, you may want focus your hunt to cars that have good fuel economy ratings — especially with the current trend in gas prices. At present, it’s around $3.70 to the gallon in regular gasoline, according to AAA, which is less than the last months average $3.96. Yet, it’s much higher than the average cost per gallon of $3.18 only one year earlier. Go to the website and use their online tool to check the average annual cost of fuel for any vehicle you’re thinking about. You can narrow your search down by year, make and model, or view some suggestions for the fuel-efficient automobiles. Size and accessories Can a small car be sufficient or do you require something more substantial, like an SUV or a pickup truck? What about features — are certain ones a “must-have” in your list? If you’ve recently secured a job with a good salary that you will start after graduation, you may have access to the most recent technology and features. Still, you could be better off with a smaller ride without all the features until you start working and get more established in your career. Safety features How secure is the car you’re thinking of buying? Request an official copy of the vehicle’s . It also contains maintenance records. It will reveal if the vehicle was involved in any accidents. It is a good reference. You can look up safety ratings and check for recalls by entering the car’s make and model, or VIN. Choose between used and new There’s plenty to enjoy about a new vehicle. It’s shiny, in top form and smells delicious. However, there are some that are as trustworthy. You can also purchase an extended warranty for around $1,500 and have added peace of mind knowing you’re protected in the event the worst happens and you experience a mechanical failure. Think about the following factors when choosing between a new and used ride: New cars have a manufacturer’s warranty. This warranty could save you a lot of money in the event that your vehicle has a breakdown and needs major repairs within the initial several years that you own it. New cars typically have the latest technology. However, you may find a slightly used car with your desired features. Certain used cars may come with low mileage. Therefore, if you don’t experience 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 being brought up to a set standard mechanically and have a limited factory warranty. Think about the whole price of owning a car. In addition to the monthly payments, fuel costs and insurance premiums for automobiles, you should also factor in maintenance and repair costs. In 2021, the median cost of maintenance, repairs and tires was around 9.55 center per mile, as reported by . Still, these costs vary according to the vehicle you own and you can utilize the calculator to determine how much you may spend over time. Annual registration renewal expenses, which generally vary from less than $20 to a little over $200 annually, is also a factor to keep in mind. Certain states have a flat fee for registration, while other states use your vehicle’s age, fuel efficiency or weight to calculate fees for registration. Explore cars and apply for financing prior to visiting a dealer. Most dealerships offer in-house financing however, it’s better to get it before you start shopping for the car. You want to have a concrete idea of the amount you’re able to afford and the quotes you get from your credit union or bank will assist you in deciding on the best price for your purchase. There’s also greater leverage when . The deal won’t depend on your ability to get financing through the dealership and you’ll behave like a cash buyer. Know the advantages of purchasing vs. leasing There’s plenty of discussion about which one is more suitable. Here are some advantages of both options to consider lease payments on more recent vehicles are generally more affordable. If your eyes are set on a particular vehicle that’s a bit expensive, you may be able to pay for the monthly installments by leasing. You’ll get a manufacturer’s warranty when you lease a brand-new vehicle. It usually covers you for up to 36,000 miles or three years, which means you won’t need to worry about spending an enormous amount on repairs should an issue with your vehicle arises. There are no mileage limits if you buy a car. But if you decide to lease the car, you’ll be restricted to a range of 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year or you could end up paying exorbitant mileage fees. The fees can range from 10 cents to 25 cents per mile or more depending on the terms of the lease agreement. The car will be yours once the loan is fully paid. Lease agreements work a little differently, though. You’ll need to return the car to the dealer when the lease is over unless you choose to . Next steps Ultimately, buying an automobile in college is one of the biggest purchases you will make. To make sure you get the best deal make sure you do your research to find the right vehicle that fits your lifestyle and budget. It’s also important to obtain pre-approval for financing before you visit any dealerships and weigh the benefits of buying and leasing to determine which option is best. Learn more
SHARE:
Written by Allison Martin’s work began over 10 years ago as an online content strategist and since then she’s been published in a variety of top financial publications such as 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 confidence to manage their finances with precise, well-studied facts that break down complicated topics into digestible pieces.
Auto loans editor
Similar Articles: Auto Loans 4 min read Mar 07, 2023 auto Loans Read 4 minutes Mar 02, 2023 Car Insurance 7 min read Feb 15, 2023 Automobile Loans 5 minutes to read October 10, 2022
If you cherished this report and you would like to acquire a lot more details relating to online same day payday loans no credit check kindly stop by our website.