Looking for a car for medical school. Suzuki SX4 manual transmission for $2500 a good car?

[BadBunny]

I never needed a car in undergrad as my city had excellent public transport. I’m moving now to a city with poor public transport. I live only 2 miles from campus, so I can technically bike (plus there’s online only classes ) but I want a car to run errands, not walk to school in the cold, etc. This car is a 2008 model. It has a manual transmission, which will make it more reliable, and has 125k miles, which is really low at this price range. I know Toyota’s and Honda’s may be more reliable, but they go with $2k-3k more or have 100k more miles at this price. Also, many of the Toyota and Honda’s look a lot more older and don’t have the safety features this Suzuki has (ABS, Side airbags) that were standard by 2008, so insurance can also be more expensive. I also want a manual car cause they seem more enjoyable. Another benefit is this car has AWD, which could be really helpful here in Pennsylvania.

My family comes from Puerto Rico (as you can tell by my username) and Suzuki’s (the ones made in Japan, not Korea) were known to be very reliable there. In fact, after Suzuki pulled out of the US, people in Puerto Rico started buying Toyota Yaris’s, so I think Puerto Ricans have a good judgement of reliability.
Reading KBB and Edmunds, I also saw every owner was satisfied with their cars and gave praise to the cars reliability. Many of these owners achieved 200k miles with this car.

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[Gilakend]

This might be the worst forum to ask this. I would ask any friends you have who are mechanics and see if they can go check it out with you or go to an automotive forum.

 

[Sriddymopboi]

I can't comment on the reliability but maybe the practicality? If you trust that the car will be reliable then 2500 sounds like a good price. As long as it lasts you for all 4 years that's all that really matters. Can hopefully sell it for like $1500 when you're done with it too.

 

[ciestar]

Ew manual transmission

For $2500.. if it gets you through four years of med school it is worth it.

My Honda has 216k miles on it and still runs reliably

 

[deleted854547]

Just lease a new car. Car repairs and breakdowns are things that you don't need to be worrying about during medical school.

 

[deleted889094]

This reminds me of the thread asking about what mattress to buy.

It's like when you get into medical school all aspects of your life become medical-school-flavored. "What's the best oatmeal to eat as a medical student?"

 

[micgirllax57]

I have a 2010 Suzuki SX4 (manual) and it has been very good to me over the years. Just ask if it has cruise control (if that is important to you) cuz it is not standard in older Suzukis.

 

[DexterMorganSK]

I second leasing a new car, esp if your parents or another relative can add you to their insurance. The monthly payments for the lease and the insurance are affordable without all the headache that comes with driving an older vehicle.

 

[BadBunny]

I think I’m gonna go ahead and buy it. @micgirllax57 testified to the reliability of her SX4. I also only drive 5k miles a year, so I’m 4 years, I will only add 20k miles. I know they are not the most comfortable car, but I prefer a stiffer ride and won’t be taking long highway trips. Insurance is also a lot less since I’m willing to not get comprehensive and collision at this price point. Heck even if it breaks the next day, I can probably still get $1500 on it if I sell it.

 

[BadBunny]

I can't comment on the reliability but maybe the practicality? If you trust that the car will be reliable then 2500 sounds like a good price. As long as it lasts you for all 4 years that's all that really matters. Can hopefully sell it for like $1500 when you're done with it too.

it’s a hatchback so it is somewhat practical, although it is small (I think the size of a Kia Soul). But it’s hatchback style automatically makes it more practical than similar sedans like the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, or Nissan Sentra

 

[Sriddymopboi]

it’s a hatchback so it is somewhat practical, although it is small (I think the size of a Kia Soul). But it’s hatchback style automatically makes it more practical than similar sedans like the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, or Nissan Sentra

Basically, if you think you aren't going to be in and out of the shop getting it repaired, then I would go for it. The risk you take buying an older car like that is you'd be wasting a ton of your time when it is much better spent on school

 

[OnePunchBiopsy]

Make sure it has a spoiler. This guarantees at least 25 pounds of downforce as you drive away from your problems.

 

[DoctwoB]

I second leasing a new car, esp if your parents or another relative can add you to their insurance. The monthly payments for the lease and the insurance are affordable without all the headache that comes with driving an older vehicle.

Disagree. You’re a poor medstudent living on loans. A new car is a luxury item. You are paying (a lot) for its newness in depreciation, lease payments and insurance. That 300/month lease plus insurance (make sure you’re factoring in up front costs) means you’re paying 20k in medschool for cars, plus another 5 in interest. Plus you still need a car for residency. While this customer is paying 2.5, has cheaper insurance, and still is getting to work on time. Maybe he spends a few grand on repairs, but still comes out on top. And he had a car for residency (or sells it and recoups some cost).

And yes you can’t have a car that won’t get you to work either. But any halfway decent recentish car with 100k miles will do the trick just as well. The idea that a car has to be new to be reliable transportation is BS.

 

[deleted645092]

As long as you have reason to believe the car is reliable then that’s a great price. Personally a big fan of standard transmissions too, because unlike automatics there is almost zero chance that unexpected Transmission repairs are gonna pop up unless you’re sitting there grinding gears regularly (transmission work STARTS in the thousands). You might have to replace the clutch at some point but it’s about $500 on average and is a once every ~10 years repair depending on your driving habits and skill.

I’d suggest taking it to a mechanic if you have one available, they’ll check it for any concerning things like frame damage/ degeneration and leaks.

The only concern I’d have up front is it’s age. It’s not super old but the older it is, regardless of mileage, the more likely it’s going to be that you’re gonna have to make at least one unexpected repair.

I’m not sure of your resources but if you have the budgeting skills it isn’t necessarily bad to finance a newer car, just to have the peace of mind that if something goes wrong you’ll have the warranty to fall back on (don’t release it, that’s dumb rich people ****). I was able to manage it on full COA loans. Yes Ihave to pay the interest on those loans but they were being taken out no matter what and I had the peace of mind knowing that even though I can perform most standard Repairs on my own, while at school I don’t exactly have the tools or space to make those repairs.

 

[ciestar]

Disagree. You’re a poor medstudent living on loans. A new car is a luxury item. You are paying (a lot) for its newness in depreciation, lease payments and insurance. That 300/month lease plus insurance (make sure you’re factoring in up front costs) means you’re paying 20k in medschool for cars, plus another 5 in interest. Plus you still need a car for residency. While this customer is paying 2.5, has cheaper insurance, and still is getting to work on time. Maybe he spends a few grand on repairs, but still comes out on top. And he had a car for residency (or sells it and recoups some cost).

And yes you can’t have a car that won’t get you to work either. But any halfway decent recentish car with 100k miles will do the trick just as well. The idea that a car has to be new to be reliable transportation is BS.

Yep. I will never buy a brand new car.

edit: dislike all you want, but I am allowed to make that decision. Thanks.

 

[Cauchy]

bro just but a 10 year old corolla and be done with it. No need for a hatch back, selectable 4wd, niche car during med schoo.