He can get a bus pass until he can buy his own car.

You can lease a Hyundai Ioniq 5 for like $160 right now if he has access to charging.

Agree on buying a car and my DS has a Kia and loves it.

Leases are for chumps. We always pay cash for our vehicles.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does a college kid need a car? Answer: he doesn't. Let him graduate, get a job, and buy his own car if needed.

He commutes to college. Doesn't live on campus. All family members work in opposite directions and there is no good way to share on a consistent basis

It's not clear -- does he live off campus in an apartment or is he living at home with parents?

Anonymous wrote:buy a used honda or toyota

Definitely 👍🏽 do this.

I would stay away from a Kia.

I was anti lease til we needed a second car for a new school run schedule. We like electric cars so I got a Mini Cooper electric for $160 per month lease. It’s so low because they don’t sell well and when leased, the car manufacturer gets the tax credit and passes it on. The electric credit (which may not be a thing soon) is usually only available when you buy if the car is American made.

It would be a great car for a teen, especially if you can get a leftover 2024 2 door. It’s easy to drive (perhaps too easy - I find myself speeding because it picks up so fast) and park, and it’s tiny they can’t stuff it with teenage friends who might be distracting.

If the car holds up well we will buy out the lease when it’s over and hopefully pass it on to my now 13 year old when she’s 18 (we live in DC and she won’t need a car before then and possibly not even after then).

Good luck!

Buy a used car or give him yours and then you lease or buy.

If you already have 7 grand into repairs I'd look at a junkyard transmission.

Anonymous wrote:We got our son a 2015 Ford Fusion. He loves it.

Would never lease a NEW car for a College kid!

This is exactly the car my youngest (17) drives. I never trust Fords but it’s been surprisingly reliable. It has about 80k I think. It’s a good affordable option. The only issue we have had is the backup camera.

My college student drives a 2108 Civic. It has more safety features which I like. In 6 years the only money we’ve spent is on oil changes and tires. We bought it new and would have bought the exact same for our youngest but post-COVID prices for them were more than we paid new. If you can afford a used one, you can’t go wrong since it will have longevity and if you decide not to keep it long-term have good resale.

Why would you think that leasing is financially wiser? It almost never is with rare exceptions such as high income buyers leasing EVs to take advantage of the EV tax credit. You are not going to save money by leasing a civic or Kia. Why not just buy a new or slightly used one that is still under the manufacturer warranty if you are so concerned about repairs. Or just buy a 5-10 year old car and get an extended warranty.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why does a college kid need a car? Answer: he doesn't. Let him graduate, get a job, and buy his own car if needed.

He commutes to college. Doesn't live on campus. All family members work in opposite directions and there is no good way to share on a consistent basis

He needs to buy a car on his own, no co signer. No lease. This will be good for him.

Why would you lease? This post makes no sense.

Do not lease for a younger driver.

Five car brands I will never own or lease. They are all junk.

Mercedes
BMW
Audi
Jeep
Land Rover