Best Vehicle for School

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zdlamkin8195

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I will be moving to start school at DMU in the fall. I am currently working and have money saved up and am looking to get a vehicle for school (getting rid of my company car). I was wondering how much driving is typical of a student during Pod school? My wife has a small car that gets good fuel economy, so I am considering getting something a little bigger and 4 wheel drive, such as a midsize SUV for the Iowa winters - and for my camping/hunting if I ever find the time!

Any input would be greatly appreciated...
 
Thanks for the heads up! and I plan on buying a very used vehicle since I will have the other car if I really need something with good fuel economy/reliability...

So is there not a rifle season in Iowa?? 😱
 
So is there not a rifle season in Iowa?? 😱

Bow, Muzzleloader and Shotgun. Shotgun season is the longest, biggest of the three. Lot of big deer all over the place.

When you're buying a car, set your budget first, and then pick a car from there. If you are financing, don't be afraid to shop around for rates. Start with your bank and then venture out. When I sold cars, the biggest mistake people made was getting hung up on monthly payments and rates. They were not focusing on OTD (out the door) price, like they should have been...I guess at least I made money because of it. If you go to a dealership, the salesman and sales manager ("the desk") will be well versed in manipulating numbers within a four-square sales sheet to make the deal look good to you while maximizing their profits. Decide how much you want to spend on the car and stick to your guns. edmunds.com's "true market value" is a pretty good indicator of fair price at a dealership.

My personal opinion is that a car's "make" is over-rated. I'll save the "Japanese cars last longer" rant/history lesson for another time. Depending on the year, you can easily pay up to $4k just for the emblem on the front. I would keep an open mind in regards to make and get the most car for your money.

Craigslist is craigslist. You'll save money, but of course have to have the cash up front. Find a buddy who's good with cars (unless you are) and bring him along. And then don't be afraid to criticize the car and offer less than what they are asking. Most people are terrible negotiators, which allows you to save even more $$$.

If you're like my wife and you want a certain "look"...then disregard everything I just said like she usually does 😀
 
Des moines is lacking in the "hood" car department.. So get a giant suited up escalade ;-)
 
speaking of cars and DMU, I put my DMU window sticker on my car yesterday, and it fell off like 3 hours later.

Also, it's incredibly hard to see.

I second Dtrack's winter conditions though. I've been in Iowa the past 3 winters, and they have had barely any snow at all.
 
I wouldn't take any chances with potential snow flurries.

Hummer H1 or Ford F250 turbodiesel. 👍
 
On a possibly sort of related note - there are great places to bike around Des Moines. Many of the neighborhoods around the school are beautiful. I live in West Des Moines and there are a lot of trails and parks.
 
I grew up in a snowy area. Unless you live on top of a big hill, you really don't need a fancy SUV. In fact its the 4 wheel drive people who are always in the ditch because they think they can go 55mph down the highway in a blizzard.

I made it through high school and college in a snowy winter climate with a Honda Civic.

Leave plenty of following distance and drive slow.
 
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Thanks. I was planning on getting something like a jeep liberty or an old Cherokee. Just something that gets decent fuel economy and has 4x4 if needed....although the hood ride is tempting! Lol
 
When I went to school in Des Moines I lived across the street at the Grand Ratford (Stratford) apartment/roach motel and hardly had to drive until 3rd year rotations.
 
When I went to school in Des Moines I lived across the street at the Grand Ratford (Stratford) apartment/roach motel and hardly had to drive until 3rd year rotations.

Note to self, do not live at Grand Stratford...
 
just out of curiosity does anyone ride a motorcycle to school?
 
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