If your kid hasn’t beaten you up yet for a car while in high school or college, here are the best used cars for high school graduates as they prepare for college or college graduates as they prepare for the real world.
Don’t feel guilty about not buying them a new car. It’s totally unnecessary for young people just starting out to drive a new car. Plus with college expenses you’ve probably bought them the equivalent of a new car.
Regardless of what you select, make sure it’s thoroughly inspected by a trained mechanic. Also, most cars recommended do not qualify for manufacturers’ certified pre-owned programs.
HS Grads Going To Far Flung Colleges
Photo © Honda
Does your child have a long drive to school and little financial aid? A 2007 Honda Fit is the perfect used car. It has great fuel economy at 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway with the 5-speed manual transmission. The interior space is simply amazing for such a small car. The Fit also has an abundance of safety and technology features as standard equipment like six standard airbags and anti-lock brakes. Dealer prices start at $10,470.
HS Grads Studying at Local Colleges
Photo © Hyundai
There is no need for cars with lots of storage capacity if your high school grad is sleeping in her upstairs bedroom. What you want is a good solid car with room for passengers in case the grad wants to carpool. A 2006 Hyundai Elantra is the solution. Fuel economy is 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. Plus, Consumer Reports gives it high marks in every category. Prices start at $5,855. You could pick up a 2005 for about $1100 less. Its Consumer Reports grades are almost as high.
HS Grads Going to Trade School
Photo © Chevrolet
In a couple of years, they will probably be buying you cars with the demand so high for skilled tradespeople. In the meantime, a nice utility van like the 2004 Chevrolet Express Cargo 1500 could do the trick. Cargo vans are not my specialty, but Edmunds.com does select it as an Editors Wanted for 2002. The 2004 and 2006 models get good marks from Consumer Reports. It has a lot of functionality and should serve any trade student until they get a company van (or at least finish their apprenticeships). Dealer retail starts at $7621 for the 2004 model.
HS Grads Entering the Military
Photo © GMC
Well, they are not going to need a car for the first few months, are they? But when they are finished with basic get them a good pickup like the 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 short bed with a standard cab. It will be good for moving from base to base. Dealer retail is $9415. The secret here, though, is to buy the truck after your child is in the military. Then, have him or her apply for a military-rate loan through Bank of America (for example). You can make the payments and save money with an interest rate that is typically 1% lower. The overall terms are a lot friendlier for people with little or no credit.
HS Grads with No Sense of Purpose
Photo © Ford
OK, we all were either like this at one point or have had kids who were or are. The surest way to turn them into hard-working souls is to buy them a big SUV like the 2003 Ford Expedition. You buy the vehicle but they pay for the gas. With fuel economy of 14 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, they will become masters at planning and learning the value of a buck. If they do not, you can always kick them out and tell them to sleep in the back. Dealer retail is $9598.
College Grads Moving Home with No Loans
Photo © Mitsubishi
Ideally for college grads with no loans, you would not buy them a car because they can afford to finance. Lacking that, if the grad has a good job now is the time to splurge on something a little reckless. A 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder is slightly reckless because it is a convertible. Plus, convertibles are not the most practical cars, but that is not a big deal if you are young and carefree. Dealer retail is $9705.
College Grads Moving Home with Loans
Photo © Ford
I’m a big fan of the 2005 Ford Focus coupe as good basic transportation. It has a great price at $6886 that isn’t going to break the bank. The 2005 has a strong recommendation from Consumer Reports for reliability. Your grad will love this car for its affordability and sportiness.
College Grads Moving Into a City
Photo © Toyota
Buy an urban grad something small that is not showing up on any Top 10 list of most stolen used cars. Those tend to be older vehicles with security systems that are easy to beat. A 2004 Toyota Corolla sedan is easy to park, surprisingly comfortable to drive, economical to own, and not on most car thieves' radar. Just remind your graduate not to leave a portable navigation system visible and to remove the stereo. Dealer retail starts about $8691 (splurge a little and get the LE trim with power windows and locks).
College Grads Going To Grad School
Photo © Dodge
Grad students do not tend to be rolling in the dough. So, they need something reliable and easy to maintain. Here is my personal recommendation (because I own one): a 2002 Dodge Neon. It is not exciting to drive, but it is dependable and gets good fuel economy at 24 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. Dealer price is $4692 for the relatively loaded R/T. Make sure it gets a good pre-purchase inspection to make sure it wasn’t souped up as a boy toy racer at some point in its life.
College Grads Out on Their Own
Photo © Honda
They do not want any headaches. Give them something reliable to own like a 2005 Honda Civic sedan. Dealer retail is $9227, but it’s a car that should last at least another seven years with the right maintenance. It’s a practical car with the space to get things moved, plus it can seat 4 adults comfortably.
