Your Car: Function > Form
Hannah Sullivan
Buying a car is a big investment, at any age, especially while in school, so a lot of thought and research should be done before any final decision is made.
What a person does before buying a car is just as, if not more so, important as what he or she does after. One should be aware of the fact that while transportation is necessary, it is also an expense, which is why it is very important, according to Jon D’Ambrosio and Joe Rauscher of MCC’s automotives department.
“Get your head straight and consider the important stuff,” D’Ambrosio said.
The important stuff is the wheels, transmission, brakes and the engine, rather than the sound system or paint color.
Once in the right mindset, a buyer then can establish a budget.
The cost of the actual car is not the only expense. Other things to take into account are the cost of insurance, gas, unexpected repairs, and routine maintenance.
D’Ambrosio suggested setting aside a separate savings account to be used only for the car.
Buyers should avoid buying cars from auctions or off street corners, although private parties are OK. Web sites such as Craigslist or AutoTrader can be either good or bad, depending on how knowledgeable the buyer is. Buyers should also make sure to have the car checked out by a professional before committing to a purchase. It is also a good idea to check out the carfax of the vehicles. Carfax is an online system that costs about $30 for six months. All that is needed is the car’s vehicle identification number, and that allows a prospective buyer to pull up a complete “medical” history of the car.
So before even looking at buying a car, buyers should do homework first. It’s best to stick to a car with the basic systems because more systems mean more possibility of something breaking. Cars are reliable only up to a point so it’s a good idea to set aside money for any emergency repairs.
