As much as you research cars, also research loan rates and terms. Cars depreciate in value, but assuming you don't total it or something, I expect you're planning on keeping it til after the loan is paid off. If you have to get rid of it for some reason, it can be a bitch based on still owing on a loan and the car losing value.
I like the idea of hybrids, but like April found them wayyyy too expensive for me, and ended up spending $2500 for an Elantra with about a hundred thousand miles. It's a wicked easy car to work on, according to everyone I know who knows cars, and apparently they hold up well in general. I basically wanted something that would last me years, til I either have a real job or go abroad for grad school, or something. The guy I got my car from was awesome, my dad and I checked out the cars he had at a place in Palmer and test drove one but weren't crazy about it, and then he and my dad were in touch for about a week or so as the guy was getting new cars in. He called my dad to let him know when he got the one I ended up buying in, which they bought from Balise, who took it as a trade. It's been working like a charm so far.
My sister was pretty close to trying for a hybrid because she DID get a car loan, instead of paying outright like I did, but ended up deciding she couldn't justify the money. As it is, she has like a $250 car payment a month, plus insurance, which for her is high because she's been a driver less than three years.
But yeah. There's a lot of choices to make, it can be a bitch. I'm sure you'll figure something good out.
I like the idea of hybrids, but like April found them wayyyy too expensive for me, and ended up spending $2500 for an Elantra with about a hundred thousand miles. It's a wicked easy car to work on, according to everyone I know who knows cars, and apparently they hold up well in general. I basically wanted something that would last me years, til I either have a real job or go abroad for grad school, or something. The guy I got my car from was awesome, my dad and I checked out the cars he had at a place in Palmer and test drove one but weren't crazy about it, and then he and my dad were in touch for about a week or so as the guy was getting new cars in. He called my dad to let him know when he got the one I ended up buying in, which they bought from Balise, who took it as a trade. It's been working like a charm so far.
My sister was pretty close to trying for a hybrid because she DID get a car loan, instead of paying outright like I did, but ended up deciding she couldn't justify the money. As it is, she has like a $250 car payment a month, plus insurance, which for her is high because she's been a driver less than three years.
But yeah. There's a lot of choices to make, it can be a bitch. I'm sure you'll figure something good out.
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