Which car is best for college?

Aaron Albertson, Contributing Writer

Whenever you are visiting college campuses, it’s implied during your tour that everything you need is within walking distance of your dorm. While that might be true, sometimes it would be nice to have a vehicle to make trips for important activities, and no matter where you go, you’re going to want a vehicle that is up to the demand of long travel.
The first thing you may look at if you’re making routine trips is gas mileage. Saving money is important for college students, so it’s best if you pick a car that is economical, like the 2010 Honda Civic. With its small 1.8-liter motor, you can easily expect over 30 miles per gallon. Depending on what trim level you buy, you will also get a navigation system with voice recognition for those long drives to competitions and hands-free Bluetooth phone connectivity to go over those notes again with your teammates on the way to a debate. The average price of this car used is around $5,000.
Sometimes though, it’s nice to have things like an interior that isn’t falling apart in pieces as you go over a pothole. With aluminum floor pedals and trim around the dash, the 2009 Volkswagen Golf GTI is the way to go. The price tag for this vehicle is roughly around $5,500.
However, it’s really awesome if your car has nice features so you can have some fun on the way to your destination. With the JBL premium audio system included with Bluetooth and sub port, the 2011 Toyota Camry is sure to bring out the musical jams with your friends. Also included is a powered moonroof to enjoy the breeze of the summer and cool down. If you get the XLE trim, you will receive the smart key system, which is a push button start to turn on your car. This car is priced on average around $6,000.
During long trips however, having the utility to traverse any road conditions is really useful. The 2010 Honda CR-V is the best way to travel during snowy days and even during heavy rain to prevent yourself from sliding around the road and wrecking. With it automatically being activated, up to 70 percent of the power will shift from the front to the rear wheels. This vehicle is also highly rated for its ride quality, so any bump in the wrong won’t wake up hungover friends on your way back from spring break. Due to this being a bigger vehicle, this car will usually command a price of around $7,000.
When you graduate (or just move back home for the summer breaks) the 2007 Acura MDX comes equipped with 15 cubic feet of cargo space in the back to fit all the things you had that you don’t remember bringing in when you first moved in. With the trailer stability assist feature, you can tow up to 5,000 lbs. Oddly enough, this car is affordable at an average price tag around $6,000.
With these vehicles in mind, you will get to have all sorts of adventures during your college experience. Finding the right car for college can really help you during your adventures at college and post college as well.