Car for med school?

Started by tdangie123
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tdangie123

tdangie123

New Member
7+ Year Member
Hey guys! I'm pretty new to sdn and I've learned quite a lot about how a career in medicine works out. I didn't even know what a DO was since visited here! Anyway I was wondering if people having a car in med school is a must. Leasing/buying a car costs $$$ and I'm not very a good driver cause when I tried driving my parent's car I nearly crashed. I am considering osteopathic schools and I know some of them are in some rural places without public transport or uber. So I'm wondering if EVERYONE has a car or do people carpool? Thanks! 🙂
 
Figure I'd bump in here as I am looking for a car within the next few months. I am considering a lease of purchasing a ceritified pre-owned vehicle. What is everybody else doing for transportation?
 
Are you concerned at all about the reliability of BMW? I have driven a few German makes and they haven't had the best reliability. What is a reasonable price anyway for a car that needs to last through med school, rotations, and hopefully even residency so that I don't have to deal with unexpected trips to the dealer or worry about the car leaving me stranded on the highway when I could be studying lol
 
QueenJames said:
Are you concerned at all about the reliability of BMW? I have driven a few German makes and they haven't had the best reliability. What is a reasonable price anyway for a car that needs to last through med school, rotations, and hopefully even residency so that I don't have to deal with unexpected trips to the dealer or worry about the car leaving me stranded on the highway when I could be studying lol
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Used civic/corolla will serve you well.
 
QueenJames said:
Are you concerned at all about the reliability of BMW? I have driven a few German makes and they haven't had the best reliability. What is a reasonable price anyway for a car that needs to last through med school, rotations, and hopefully even residency so that I don't have to deal with unexpected trips to the dealer or worry about the car leaving me stranded on the highway when I could be studying lol
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7-8K for a used Toyota or Honda midsized sedan would work. When you buy a used car, you will need to get some work done on that vehicle. That's the bottom line. Usually, I open the hood and look at stuff that need to be done. In order to cut down on car repairs, I buy brand new parts online that are 50-60% cheaper than at retail, and then hire a mechanic to replace my parts for me.

So, for example, at 90-100 miles, you will need a new timing belt and water pump. Cost of parts and labor could go to $1,000-2,000. In my case, I only pay about $200 for the parts, and another $250-300 for about 4 hours of labor. Shops and dealerships will try to bs into crappy deals. However, I'm too smart to play their games.
 
QueenJames said:
Looking for something with more power and more refinement... but has the reliability of the honda and toyota brands. Thanks for the suggestion.
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My guess is that you want a European car. You can get some solid deals off craiglist. Here're the things though: you will definitely need to get some repairs like replacing some parts to make it a reliable machine. So, you should definitely leave about $1,500-2,000 for repair for your budget.
 
68PGunner said:
My guess is that you want a European car. You can get some solid deals off craiglist. Here're the things though: you will definitely need to get some repairs like replacing some parts to make it a reliable machine. So, you should definitely leave about $1,500-2,000 for repair for your budget.
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Do German makes have a lot of hassle for the first 40,000 miles or so? I usually drive 10-12K miles a year but am expecting to put less for my first two years of school.
 
QueenJames said:
Do German makes have a lot of hassle for the first 40,000 miles or so? I usually drive 10-12K miles a year but am expecting to put less for my first two years of school.
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They're usually good for the first 70-80k. The expenses usually come in after 80k miles. However, that's why you can find some decent deals on craiglist for european cars around this mileage. Therefore, it's critical for you to find a cheap reliable mechanic who can replace certain parts for your vehicle if you want to bust another 70-80K.
 
bigoliver101 said:
Jesus Christ... Get a S class.

http://www.edmunds.com/inventory/used/vin.html?vin=WDDNG8GBXBA404482&zip=27707&radius=50&year=2011&make=Mercedes-Benz&model=S-Class&sub=S-Class Sedan&invtype=USED&defaultType=&mode=

Use the rest of your money for repairs lol
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I would add Lexus and Acura to that list. Personally, I wouldn't buy any car outside of these three brands. Perhaps, I might try a TSLA down the road 10-15 years from now. However, I refuse to be a guinea pig for the EV movement especially with oil so cheap nowadays.
 
If you end up in Touro-NY, a car will be a detriment.


tdangie123 said:
Hey guys! I'm pretty new to sdn and I've learned quite a lot about how a career in medicine works out. I didn't even know what a DO was since visited here! Anyway I was wondering if people having a car in med school is a must. Leasing/buying a car costs $$$ and I'm not very a good driver cause when I tried driving my parent's car I nearly crashed. I am considering osteopathic schools and I know some of them are in some rural places without public transport or uber. So I'm wondering if EVERYONE has a car or do people carpool? Thanks! 🙂
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bigoliver101 said:
And then as an attending.. treat yourself to a maybach...

https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/class/class-S/bodystyle-MAY
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Lolz yah if the price dips below 50K I'll for sure look into it! lol

I like the c-class but feel that I can just get a new accord fully-loaded for 35K and it will hold it's value much better than the Benz will when it comes time to sell.
I have been considering Lexus and Acura as well. What do other med students mostly drive? I feel that a used Honda/Toyota will hold me over for a few years.
 
How do you afford a car for med school? Do people use loans? I haven't owned a car in years - big city living.
 
arc5005 said:
How do you afford a car for med school? Do people use loans? I haven't owned a car in years - big city living.
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Some folks use loans and can finance the car. Some purchase their vehicles outright with cash. Some folks have parents helping them (me) and so on. The big city has a lot of options for folks who don't have a car and owning a vehicle can sometimes be a hindrance in the big city. I wouldn't make it in a big city lol
 
QueenJames said:
Some folks use loans and can finance the car. Some purchase their vehicles outright with cash. Some folks have parents helping them (me) and so on. The big city has a lot of options for folks who don't have a car and owning a vehicle can sometimes be a hindrance in the big city. I wouldn't make it in a big city lol
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I'm hoping I can be a city where I won't need a car until at least 3rd year.
 
QueenJames said:
Some folks use loans and can finance the car. Some purchase their vehicles outright with cash. Some folks have parents helping them (me) and so on. The big city has a lot of options for folks who don't have a car and owning a vehicle can sometimes be a hindrance in the big city. I wouldn't make it in a big city lol
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PM'd
 
Anybody have any experience with Audi? I've heard that their rep is starting to come up in terms of reliability and tech.
 
QueenJames said:
Anybody have any experience with Audi? I've heard that their rep is starting to come up in terms of reliability and tech.
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If you want the most reliable car, get a Japanese. Although turbochargers have been much more reliable, naturally aspirated engines are still king in terms of reliability. Less parts to fail. Just about all German vehicles use turbochargers.

As for tech, they're all about the same. German cars have no more advanced technology than the Japanese cars. If anything, the differences are very subtle to the driver. I've been driving both luxury Japanese and German cars for years, including the new Audi S3. While German cars have a better feel in terms of transmission (dual clutch) and sport-like response, Japanese cars are more reliable and last quite a bit longer with significantly cheaper maintenance costs. Any problem you have with a German car, prepare to spend lots of money in repairs.

Anyways, Japanese cars are much more easily modifiable than German cars. You can modify a Japanese car to drive even better than stock German vehicles.
 
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I think a Honda Accord it really reliable, and a good car, it has a great interior, and is awesome on gas, almost 40 miles a gallon!!
 
Until I pay off all the student loans and debts that I have, I will spend my money and drive a vehicle like I am on the verge of being broke.
For OP, it all depends on the location you're going, but most of the time you'll need a vehicle. Something reliable, mostly Japanese.
 
What time of the month is it a good time to go car shopping? I've read that it's near the end of the month, but during certain seasons (summer, for example) you can't really haggle with the dealers as much as you'd like. My goal is to have a car by May/June but depends on the deal. If anybody has any advice , I appreciate it!
 
mathnerd88 said:
If you want the most reliable car, get a Japanese. Although turbochargers have been much more reliable, naturally aspirated engines are still king in terms of reliability. Less parts to fail. Just about all German vehicles use turbochargers.

As for tech, they're all about the same. German cars have no more advanced technology than the Japanese cars. If anything, the differences are very subtle to the driver. I've been driving both luxury Japanese and German cars for years, including the new Audi S3. While German cars have a better feel in terms of transmission (dual clutch) and sport-like response, Japanese cars are more reliable and last quite a bit longer with significantly cheaper maintenance costs. Any problem you have with a German car, prepare to spend lots of money in repairs.

Anyways, Japanese cars are much more easily modifiable than German cars. You can modify a Japanese car to drive even better than stock German vehicles.
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any japanese brands/models you might recommend that are affordable? (not luxury models)
 
asdf123g said:
any japanese brands/models you might recommend that are affordable? (not luxury models)
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You can't go wrong with Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. If you desire a bit more sporty feel of the two, I would get the Honda Civic. Both are extremely reliable and can be had for less than $17k brand new. The Honda Civic just had a major redesign/refresh last year. If you want a bigger car, I would choose the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, but I prefer the sporty feel/drive of the Honda Accord more.
 
If your a bad driver and will have family/friends nearby, get a $500 junker lol.

The hell is with this advice to get a 7k car? Buy a used car that's less than 15 years old and has less than 150k miles. Start looking now and wait for the right one at a good price. 2500 is realistic in my area, ymmv. Treat it right and it'll last until you're an attending.
 
I'm riding my 2013 Honda Civic till I get out of residency. Fantastic car. Big enough for me, drives real quiet, gets great gas, very little maintenance required. In 5 years I'll be eating ramen in it as I get ready for bed #brokeresident2020
 
68PGunner said:
7-8K for a used Toyota or Honda midsized sedan would work. When you buy a used car, you will need to get some work done on that vehicle.
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If you're paying 8k for a car, it better not need any work.

My family and I buy all of our cars off craigslist. Never paid more than 2k for a car in the past decade. Sometimes you have to put a few hundred into it, but then you should expect at least a year before needing anything else.

I paid 1900 for my current car and I would say I have put about 1500 into mechanic bills over the past 4.5 years that I've had it. Of course, I change my own oil/sparkplugs/filters etc. That helps. If you buy the Haynes manual, you'll save yourself a load of money.

...but I'm talking to a bunch of premeds here. You all probably take your caddys to the dealer and put it on daddy's credit card. 😉
 
QueenJames said:
What time of the month is it a good time to go car shopping? I've read that it's near the end of the month, but during certain seasons (summer, for example) you can't really haggle with the dealers as much as you'd like. My goal is to have a car by May/June but depends on the deal. If anybody has any advice , I appreciate it!
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If shopping for new it is best to shop at end of year or beginning of year for last year's model. Go look for a 2015 car that hasn't been sold yet. They want to move it.
 
ortnakas said:
Wait-- about how old are you? And do you have a driver's license?
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Well no I don't have a driver's license, but I have a permit though! And I just drove around the city for a short while with my dad until I forgot where e brakes were and yeahhh....
 
pstrick said:
If you're paying 8k for a car, it better not need any work.

My family and I buy all of our cars off craigslist. Never paid more than 2k for a car in the past decade. Sometimes you have to put a few hundred into it, but then you should expect at least a year before needing anything else.

I paid 1900 for my current car and I would say I have put about 1500 into mechanic bills over the past 4.5 years that I've had it. Of course, I change my own oil/sparkplugs/filters etc. That helps. If you buy the Haynes manual, you'll save yourself a load of money.

...but I'm talking to a bunch of premeds here. You all probably take your caddys to the dealer and put it on daddy's credit card. 😉
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LOL... U think they are driving caddys? Try Mercs and BMWs...

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
 
tdangie123 said:
17
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In that case....

1) I'm not super worried about your lack of driving skills at this point. Teenagers are almost universally terrible drivers when they start out. This is why there's a thing called "driver's ed."
2) Worry about driver's ed, high school and college before you worry about commuting in med school. You're putting the cart before the horse.
 
mathnerd88 said:
You can't go wrong with Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. If you desire a bit more sporty feel of the two, I would get the Honda Civic. Both are extremely reliable and can be had for less than $17k brand new. The Honda Civic just had a major redesign/refresh last year. If you want a bigger car, I would choose the Honda Accord or Toyota Camry, but I prefer the sporty feel/drive of the Honda Accord more.
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Mazda/Subaru > Honda/Toyota
 
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