Every year, 16 million undergrads hit the road to restart a new semester at college. A significant portion of that crowd is just starting their first year, often looking for a used car to make the transition from high school to college a little smoother.
Having a car on campus is a significant advantage. Not only does it help with the convenience of getting food, but it also means that students who need to work a part-time job on top of taking courses get that opportunity. Plus, you can drive friends around or take weekend trips to nearby attractions.
The trouble is that plenty of students go to school way too far away for a road trip or look to purchase a used vehicle across the country and have it shipped back to campus. That is where having a car transport provider like Nexus Auto Transport comes into play. Students get a reliable method to ship a used Mazda or Ford sedan, aligned with term schedules. With that kind of service, the only thing left now is to find the right used car.
Balancing Budget and Reliability: What Matters Most When Choosing a Student Car
Kelley Blue Book lists the average used car at $25,512, but most car-buying guides recommend students budget $10,000 to $15,000. That is, in addition to monthly expenses for insurance, fuel, and potential maintenance. It takes a bit more work to find a used car for pickup and delivery, but if you use online marketplaces like Facebook, Craigslist, and Carvana, something usually crops up.
All that cash must be balanced with reliability. The last thing any parent wants is a college student stranded on the highway hours from campus. Safety should be just as important as the budget. That may involve comparing cars based on crash test results (via the IIHS – Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and vehicle performance (via the NHTSA – National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), and talking with any friends or family who are mechanics.
As you scroll online used car shopping for a quote or estimate, consider some “must-have” safety features like:
- Side and Front Airbags
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
- Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
- Traction Control System (TCS)
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
- Blind Spot Monitoring (or “bird eye” side view mirrors)
- Rearview Camera (“backup” camera)
Reliability isn’t just safety. You also want a car with low repair costs. That often comes down to the logistics of finding local parts and mechanics. That is why most college students look for brands known for longevity, like Toyota, Honda, and Mazda. The final factor is making sure the trunk is big enough for going to and from college after the semester. From there, all that is left to do is find the transport carriers that offer the best shipping service.
Speed, Safety, and Support: Why Delivery Times Matter for Students on the Move
From the moment you select the used car you want, you’ll need to figure out domestic transport to get it from an auction, online sale, or dealership to your dorm room. Car transport has to fit within your semester’s delivery timeframe, which can get a little tricky because it is a peak season for cross-country car shipping.
Start by using a free estimator, such as the Car Shipping Calculator on Nexus Auto Transport. You can plug in your car location, shipping destination, pickup and drop-off timeframe, car size, and get a better idea of the cost for your budgeting. The earlier you can secure your open or enclosed auto transport, the better.
Next, walk through the safety checklist and preparation steps from the best car shipping service you select. That will help you coordinate with the seller and document the car’s condition, so when you accept delivery, you’ll be able to check for anything not in the original listing.
Finally, make sure the vehicle shipping includes strong communication. Nexus Auto Transport provides a single point of contact with the driver’s or coordinator’s number, so you get real-time updates on any delays due to road congestion from other college-bound students, weather interruptions, or unforeseen construction.
Delivery times are a pretty important thing when getting your car for college. Having a reliable provider secure a timeframe and keep you updated on any changes goes a long way to ensuring you can find a job, secure housing, and get to class on time.
Smart Shopping for Used Cars: A Student-Focused Checklist Before You Buy
The best thing you can do when choosing a vehicle relocation service is to ensure your delivery provider has shipping insurance, is comfortable with interstate transport laws (FMCSA and USDOT numbers), and has experience with your particular needs.
However, when buying a used car for college, you really want someone “on the ground” to test-drive the vehicle. A trusted mechanic or family member would be great as they can check for vehicle acceleration, brake condition, handling, engine noises, or hesitant shifting. Ask them to consider how the seats adjust, whether the HVAC systems are working, and whether the seller has all the documentation so you can quickly register, get it inspected, and finish insurance coverage in no time.
A good list of cars to look for when moving to college includes:
- 2015 Ford Focus
- 2016 Mazda CX-3
- 2015 Volkswagen Golf
- 2015 Honda Fit
- 2017 Kia Soul
- 2016 Subaru Crosstrek
- 2016 Kia Forte
- Any Toyota Camry or Honda Accord
Do your best not to prioritize heated steering wheels or sound systems over budget and safety. College is a time for learning, and while appearances matter to younger drivers, reliability and not breaking the bank are far more critical.
From Dorm Drop-Offs to Cross-Country Moves: Real-Life Stories of Student Relocation
Car transport comes in all shapes and sizes. It’s amazing what some students go through when getting a used car for school. Some of the stories the team at Nexus Auto Transport has experienced underscore why working with the best auto transport services is so crucial.
One freshman purchased a recent Toyota Corolla from a Midwest dealership, bound for school in New England. Classes started in only a week, and the journey was over 1,000 miles, too much for the student and their family to handle. Nexus was able to step in and find a resolution with real-time updates that, even with a minor delay, arrived on campus the day before it was needed.
Another example was a junior relocating to a new campus for an engineering internship. They had plenty of time, but the problem was coordinating both the used car they had been using and a new car for their boss as part of the internship. Once the lead engineer heard about automobile shipping, they wanted to get a vintage vehicle sent over. Nexus coordinated open shipping on a budget for the student and enclosed shipping for the engineer, with both arriving on the same day.
The best car shipping companies will have worked with graduate students moving from California to Vermont, or Arizona sophomores needing a hybrid without Four Wheel Drive after moving from Michigan. That experience matters and ensures you get the ride you need where you need it most.
Choosing the Right Car and the Best Support for College Life
Hiring a company like Nexus Auto Transport, with direct knowledge of how to manage budgeting and timing for college students, matters. These fleet management experts coordinate everything from pickup and delivery to shipping insurance to even the details of how much change a driver needs for tolls along the route.
When it comes time to go to college, you want to be focused on getting books, meeting roommates, and figuring out your class schedule, not how you’re going to find a part-time job without reliable transportation. Do your best to find a budget-friendly used car with the features you need, then leave the shipping to the experts. That way, your college experience will be more about friends and education than a long road trip, making you late for the first week of classes.
