Reliable Vehicle

[lgreen_aci]

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Hi,

I have a ford explorer that is about 13 years old and has 115k miles on it. I have had a lot of spendy work done on it over the last 4 years (air conditioner, heater core, clutch, alternator, etc) and despite all that work, I think it will last me the remaining 2 years of undergrad, but I am worried and fairly confident that it will probably die during dental school (if I get in).

I have no plans to work during dental school, and do not make enough money now as an undergrad working to purchase a car.

If I am accepted into dental school, I was thinking it might be smart to buy either a new car or descent used car before leaving for d'school, so that my current vehicle doesn't die on my and leave me stuck w/ out a car while in d'school, and unable to buy one.

What I was thinking was maybe like if I get in, when it comes to financial aid time, to take out an extra 10-20k to purchase a car. Considering the cost of d'school, it seems like adding 10-20k to the loan wouldn't be too huge of a deal.

What do you guys think about this? Would it work, or is there a better way to do it, or should I just not worry about it and play it by ear w/ my current vehicle?

Thanks.

 

[crazy_sherm]

So far, with my experience with our financial aid dept, they can only award you as much as the school has budgeted is necessary for financial aid. So, if you're already close to the max amount, it's hard to squeeze an extra $10-20k out of them unless you can prove some sort of special circumstance, such as high medical bills or family with kids. You can take out extra private loans which aren't associated with the school through a private bank, but in general, these aren't a very good deal. Maybe other schools are different and have a more forgiving budget, but I think UOP wants to keep our debt lower since school itself is already expensive and there are a lot of reckless young spendthrifts here.

Also, it'll depend if you will even need a car where you end up going to school. If you end up in NYC, Boston, or SF, it would probably be better to not even have a car. If you can stand not having an SUV, I would advise getting something cheap, used, gets good gas mileage, and super reliable - usally has the name Toyota or Honda on the car somewhere. Dental school is not the time to already be driving your dreamcar because you probably won't even have that much time to enjoy it. No practical reason to spend more than you have to, there will be plenty of time for that later.

 

[INFNITE]

yeah, you don't need a car if you go to school in a major city since public transportation will get you anywhere in places like NYC.

 

[drhobie7]

lease a honda civic for 4 years @ $150/month.

 

[syn_apse]

lease an apartment within walking distance. you'll save a lot on gas money and wear & tear this way. i can see the dental school out my bedroom window. it watches me while i sleep

 

[lgreen_aci]

Good to hear. We have such crappy public transportation here that I foget such a thing exists. I think finding a place very close to school and using public transit for everything else will work fine.

What about visiting family for holidays many states away? What do you guys typically do for that? Just fly out? How do you pay for it?

Thanks.

 

[tinman831]

i can see the dental school out my bedroom window. it watches me while i sleep

Does it haunt you in your dreams as well?

 

[1992Corolla]

150 a month for four years is good, but your a student. Buy an old corolla for 3-4000.
If you had to make monthly payments it would only be 85 bucks for four years and nothing is more reliable than an old (90-98) corolla. Except of course your legs...unless you break them...but then of course...nm.

 

[mochafreak]

In my old fire department we used to refer to Ford Explorers as Ford Exploders...uh, but don't worry about that...

I have an old Civic HX and it's been pretty good. No major work with 85,000+ miles. Just drove to NY and kept track of gas for awhile and it was getting 41 mi/gal. on the highway. 👍 So, if you could get one those used I'd recommend it. In general, Hondas and Toyotas are the most reliable vehicles and it shows in their resale value.

 

[albodent]

bicycle, that way you kill two birds with one stone, exercise and economic. 😀

 

[syn_apse]

i bought a 1996 honda prelude last year (5-speed manual). it's a lot more fun to drive than my mom's old toyota camry haha. i still miss my first car though, 1986 chevy celebrity. that car was the ****!

 

[hockeydentist]

i bought a 1996 honda prelude last year (5-speed manual). it's a lot more fun to drive than my mom's old toyota camry haha. i still miss my first car though, 1986 chevy celebrity. that car was the ****!

My first car was a buick Le Sabre, it was tan brown with a cloth top.. It was like riding around in a gold colored tooth.

 

[mlle]

150 a month for four years is good, but your a student. Buy an old corolla for 3-4000.
If you had to make monthly payments it would only be 85 bucks for four years and nothing is more reliable than an old (90-98) corolla. Except of course your legs...unless you break them...but then of course...nm.

i've got a 93. can't agree more - it's awesome, and i can race with an 3 series bmr..

my first was a manual 94 plymouth colt.. i miss her sometimes

 

[rambo2006]

I just baught a Subaru legacy AWD 1997. I'm from minnesota and I'm going to SUNY at UB in Buffalo, NY so the AWD makes sence for me with all the snow. Its ok on gas (~25mpg) for an AWD vehicle, but my 95 civic I sold did much better.

 

[polarnut]

a hyundai

 

[1992Corolla]

a hyundai

if you want to pay twice on it's value after 6 months of driving it.
Koreans can't make cars, leave it to the Japanese. 😀
thats my personal experiance.

 

[kittylover]

if you want to pay twice on it's value after 6 months of driving it.
Koreans can't make cars, leave it to the Japanese. 😀
thats my personal experiance.

absolutely agreed. my mom was conned into buying a hyundai once many years ago, and the piece of **** was always in the shops... then we bought a few toyota cars (corolla, camry, etc.) and never a problem in 10 years of driving with any of them! you can't go wrong with either toyota or honda.

 

[colt]

Buicks....the MOST reliable cars on the road! You may look like an old man driving one though. I'd suggest a 98-00 Trans Am or SS....they are cheap, reliable, have grunt, and have some balls!

 

[lgreen_aci]

I think I want to get one of the new hybrid toyota camary's, but that will have to wait until after d'school. By then maybe they will have the hybrid BMW's out too though....

 

[rambo2006]

After I'm able to afford it. I want one of the following:

BMW m5
Subaru WRX
Or top of the line Lexus

 

[golfmontpoker]

96 Jeep Cherokee Sport with tail light guards, grill guard, mud tires, and roof rack baby!! Sucks on gas though 🙁

 

[INFNITE]

if you want to pay twice on it's value after 6 months of driving it.
Koreans can't make cars, leave it to the Japanese. 😀
thats my personal experiance.

agreed. Kia, Hyundai, Daewoo all crappy cars

 

[howui3]

a honda (accord or civic) or toyota (carolla or camry) are GREAT cars. They have decent milage, easy to maintain, and go the distance. They're no speed racers, but they will get you around town.

my first car was a 1992 Honda Accord. I loved it...but drove it into the ground.

 

[syn_apse]

a honda (accord or civic) or toyota (carolla or camry) are GREAT cars. They have decent milage, easy to maintain, and go the distance. They're no speed racers, but they will get you around town.

my first car was a 1992 Honda Accord. I loved it...but drove it into the ground.

i would add the prelude to that list. good price used, good mileage and a little muscle on top. easy to maintain too!

 

[adamlc18]

I'd like to add Nissan to the list. I have a Maxima that runs like a dream.

 

[luder98]

i would add the prelude to that list. good price used, good mileage and a little muscle on top. easy to maintain too!

Ditto. I miss my "baby" (== First White Diamond Pearl Prelude). Since the day it was born 'til the day it was sold, not even a small problem.

 

[hockeydentist]

Ditto. I miss my "baby" (== First White Diamond Pearl Prelude). Since the day it was born 'til the day it was sold, not even a small problem.

Does anybody know if honda is going to release any newer versions of the prelude.

 

[makushin]

..

 

[luder98]

Does anybody know if honda is going to release any newer versions of the prelude.

It was sad when they discontinued that model. I heard it was because the profit margin wasn't good enough for them. I also heard because Honda wanted to put more money into introducing that new RSX. Plus, if you think about it, there are many more modern sports cars people can purchase with the cost of a lude. IMO, however, 5th gen lude is the best sports car in its price range. It was born almost 10 yrs ago, but still looks very appealing. Even the previous gen still looks great.

 

[colt]

Yeah, I think it was the cost that drove the Prelude to extinction. I looked at some of the last models and they were like $26,000. That is too much $ for a 200 hp car that is relatively heavy and doesn't handle or stop really well. The same could be said for the Celica GTS.

 

[sm1nty]

Buy a good used Volvo with not too many miles.
They last forever, and don't depreciate too much, since they're already cheap to begin with.

I bought mine new in 1995 and it had absolutely no problems (besides the usual maintenance) till I sold it in 2005 when I left the country. It was just a dream to drive.

When I came back to the US at the end of 2005, I bought yet another Volvo (a 1994 this time). Still, no problems after putting over 10,000 miles on it, and driving it like crazy everyday.

Plus the turbo engine drives sooo nice, the only thing you have to worry about is speeding tickets. (I just got pulled over last week, so am making a concerted effort to drive slooower).

Honestly though, my advice is not to get a loan for a new car. That's like throwing money away, plus it's just unnecessary financial burden. Buy something you can already afford to pay with cash.

 

[hockeydentist]

Buy a good used Volvo with not too many miles.
They last forever, and don't depreciate too much, since they're already cheap to begin with.

I bought mine new in 1995 and it had absolutely no problems (besides the usual maintenance) till I sold it in 2005 when I left the country. It was just a dream to drive.

When I came back to the US at the end of 2005, I bought yet another Volvo (a 1994 this time). Still, no problems after putting over 10,000 miles on it, and driving it like crazy everyday.

Plus the turbo engine drives sooo nice, the only thing you have to worry about is speeding tickets. (I just got pulled over last week, so am making a concerted effort to drive slooower).

Honestly though, my advice is not to get a loan for a new car. That's like throwing money away, plus it's just unnecessary financial burden. Buy something you can already afford to pay with cash.

great advice!

 

[Dynomite]

Just can't go wrong with a Toyota or Honda. The Japanese automotive engineering technology just seems to have an edge in the market. I may never buy American again. 🙁