Are you about to start college soon, and wondering about the commute you’ll be opting for? Are you considering getting your own car to end the troubles once and for all? Well, then you’re probably debating whether owning a car as a college student is actually a good idea, or not. Undoubtedly, there are a number of benefits to owning a car as a college student in St.Louis, but there are some drawbacks as well.

In this article, we will make sure that you find the best answer to your question – “Should I, or should I not get a car for college?”. If this is what has been pinning you for a while now, keep reading before heading to Chase Auto Group!

It’s true that owning a car while studying at a college can provide you with plenty of conveniences. You can freely drive anywhere and anytime and access boundless facilities without being dependent on public transport and fellow college-mates. However, there are some drawbacks such as the maintenance cost, parking problems, and other expenses in St. Louis

Here are the top 3 factors that you should consider before buying a car for college in Saint Louis:

If you are going to college in a big city, there are possibilities that your college may not allow you to bring a car. The main reason for this might be probably because of the scarcity of parking lots. However, a few colleges do allow students to experience the true on-campus life, which includes driving in on their own vehicle.

Nevertheless, in order to avoid any inconvenience, make sure to get in touch with your college help center beforehand to know all the rules and regulations regarding private vehicles on campus. They will guide you thoroughly about all details, including the cost of the parking permit, if applicable.

If you are going to college in a big city, there are possibilities that your college may not allow you to bring a car. The main reason for this might be probably because of the scarcity of parking lots. However, a few colleges do allow students to experience the true on-campus life, which includes driving in on their own vehicle.

Nevertheless, in order to avoid any inconvenience, make sure to get in touch with your college help center beforehand to know all the rules and regulations regarding private vehicles on campus. They will guide you thoroughly about all details, including the cost of the parking permit, if applicable.

Bringing an affordable car to college is not as simple as it may seem. There are costs that can come with owning a car in Saint Louis. Here are some of the expenses that you are likely to bear whether you’re attending SLU, Washu, UMSL or Harris Stowe:

• Fuel The cost of fuel is an essential part of owning a car. On average, you’ll be paying around $0.15 per mile in gas. This can sum up to be pretty costly when calculated in terms of a semester.

• Maintenance & Other Expenses It is stated that an average American spends around $766.50 each on car maintenance and related things. This also includes the costs of yearly tire changes, which cost about $147. Moreover, if you have an older car, then the maintenance cost will add up as a significant amount as well.

• Insurance If you buy a car under your parents’ insurance, you might face some variations in your premium according to the state you reside in. However, if you leave your car at home, you can become an occasional driver at an excellent discount.

• Parking, registration, and taxes Parking at campuses ranges from $80 to a whopping $800 per semester. Hence, it is advisable to find out what amount your college campus charges as its parking fee. For this, you can either visit your college’s website or call the student help center. Besides, a few colleges are known to raise their parking fee to discourage students from bringing their vehicles on campus. Moreover, it is advantageous if your car is registered in your home state, as this will save you a decent amount while paying tax.

Owning a car at college is indeed on the pricier side, but not having a car isn’t free of cost either. You need to find a convenient way of transport to public places such as grocery stores etc. and way back home on weekends, which of course comes with a fare.

Nonetheless, public transport is relatively cheaper for students. Some campuses also offer free rides to general places. However, for the areas that are hard to reach through public transport, you have to commute by Uber or Lyft. These services tend to be expensive, depending on the price of gas, insurance, and parking space. At times like these, perhaps it would be nice to explore Chase value finder to find a way out

Buying a car for college is a difficult choice to make. On one side, you are prone to high expenses, while on the other, you have free access to exploring and driving on your own. To simplify the decision-making process, you should consider your budget for college first and then decide accordingly while going through each of the factors that might influence your affordability and convenience. At Chase Auto Group, we will never fail you with the best bargain!