Top Cars for College Students

Budget-conscious car shoppers have been choosing to buy used cars for years, as they come in at a more affordable price than brand-new versions of the same car due to new car depreciation, defined as the loss of the car's value. Most commonly, cars lose about 20% of their original value within the first year off the lot. Beyond that, the average depreciation rate falls somewhere between 10 and 15% each additional year until around the five-year mark, when it drops again. With a more affordable price, you can choose a vehicle that is better suited for you, meaning you get more bang for your buck. Furthermore, buying used can also result in lower insurance costs, lower registration fees, slower depreciation rates, flexible financing options, and much more! Here at Chrysler of Culpeper, you can find an array of high-quality pre-owned vehicles, like the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Wrangler, Ram 1500, and more! 

There are a few things to consider before selecting your college car. It's easy to focus on cars that are good for you at the moment. For example, you're anticipating loading up your car with everything besides the kitchen sink, so you're looking at trucks or full-size SUVs. Meanwhile, once you get to college, you'll likely be driving around campus without the need for all that space. So be sure to think about your long-term needs and not your immediate ones. Another thing to consider is fuel economy. If you're planning on taking off-campus trips on the weekends, you want to make sure you don't need to spend all your money on fuel. You should also consider a car's safety features. Many new cars in today's market come with advanced driver assists like blindspot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and more. These can come in handy for relatively new drivers, such as college students. Another important thing to consider is the size and maneuverability of your vehicle. If you look around campus and notice the parking lots are jam-packed and there are tight turns to navigate through campus, a heavy-duty truck may not be your top choice. Opting for something smaller and more maneuverable, such as the Dodge Hornet, could be in your best interest. 

There are numerous things you should look for in a car that will help you be confident in your decision when buying a car to head off to college with. First and foremost, you should look into a vehicle's safety ratings. In the grand scheme of things, college students are relatively new drivers and campuses can be tricky to navigate, making it important to have a vehicle that is safe. If you already have a vehicle in mind, be sure to do a quick internet search of its safety rating. The Grand Cherokee, for example, has earned a spot on the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ list numerous times. You should also look into the insurance costs of vehicles, as some can be prone to higher rates than others. Finally, you should look into a car's accident history. Here at Chrysler of Culpeper, upon request, we'll be happy to show you the history report for your selected vehicle, which shows prior owner history, usage, any reported accidents, and any reported services. 

A car is a great way to never be late to class, visit home, and have fun with friends while at college! If you're heading off to college this fall, now is the time to start looking for a new or used car! Here at Chrysler of Culpeper, we cater to college students in the area, providing a wide range of new and used vehicles that are sure to meet the requirements and budgets of students from all walks of life. We invite you to browse our inventories while you're here on our website. If you have questions about our inventory or your financing options, use the contact information form below this page to reach our team to have your questions answered.