Of (Sorta) Windfall
So apparently when I filled out my loan applications for this year, I did the math wrong and came out with a ~$5000 refund for this semester. The prudent, responsible thing to do would be to take a little bit and then send the rest back to the loan company. But then, this is me we're talking about here, so with my newly-acquired-until-I-pay-for-it-in-the-future wealth, I intend to buy a car because I figure that it's harder for a 20 year old to get a car loan than student loans, and I'm not going to get a chance like this until after I graduate. To that end, I've been looking around at used car reviews online and I've come to two choices:
2001 or 2002 Ford Focus (preferably the hatchback model)
vs.
2001 Chevy Cavalier (4-door sedan)
From what I've read and from people who own them, both cars are pretty sturdy, pretty cheap, and pretty good on gas. For example, Jay's Cavalier (2001) cost him about $2500 and has only been in the shop once for anything serious, meanwhile his sister's Focus (2002) has been a dream to own and operate.
So, people of the Internet, I ask you for your input! Focus, Cavalier, or Something Else?
(Also, a side thought: if I had known it was this easy to scam $5000 from the loan companies, I'd have done it years ago)