Top 5 Cheap New Cars For College Students

College students need vehicles that are affordable, cost little to maintain, and get high gas mileage. In this article, we look at some of the top compact models in recent years. The 2012 versions of these models all have starting sticker priced under $17,000 and have plenty of interior amenities and great features.

What Type of Car to Look For

While each drive has different needs, there are few college student that want to drive around in an old car that is inefficient, unreliable, and costs a large amount of money to operate. This can lead make debt pile on quickly, and this is the last thing you want as a college students with the price of tuition today. Cars suitable for young drivers should have a good warranty package, have excellent fuel efficiency, and be available with affordable financing.
Students do love a car that has a sporty, appealing exterior. Young drivers are very conscious of what the car says about them and their tastes. One thing for sure is that you won’t see to many young drivers in minivans. Reliability is another important factor to consider when choosing a model, as is safety.
With these factors in mind, we make are picks for the top 5 cheap new cars for college students:
#1. Hyundai Elantra – A Strong Overall Value
The Elantra definitely a model that should be considered by college students. The Elantra is another reason Hyundai has had a huge growth in sales and changed its reputation as an automaker. The compact sedan features Hyundai’s “fluidic sculpture” design and start at under $16,000. The base trim is nicely equipped. This vehicle has earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, gets over 40-mpg on the highway, and has a very good resale value.
The Elantra has low operating costs and is considered one of the most affordable of all compacts when the long-term maintenance and service expenses are considered. College students will like the way the car handles nimbly in traffic, and Elantra has some advanced technological features designed to offer a smooth ride. In 2013, Hyundai will sell an all-new Elantra Touring model, which offers the utility of a wagon.
#2. Mazda Mazda3 – Much Improved Fuel Economy for 2012
The 2012 Mazda Mazda3 features the company’s new SkyActiv engine technology. The 2.0-liter engine allows drivers to zip through traffic with ease while still getting nearly 30-mpg in city driving. This car is considered one of the safest smaller sedans on the road, earning high marks in crash tests.
The model starts at under $17,000 and with all its features, it is a real bargain for college students. The model offers the choice of sedan or hatchback styling and comes with a good warranty and a very appealing interior design.
#3. Toyota Corolla - A Good Safe Choice
With a starting sticker price of about $16,000 and fuel economy of 35-mpg highway, the Corolla is an excellent car for younger drivers and college students. This model has a very good crash test safety rating, holds its value very well, and the current model has a nice, sporty appearance in the S trim.
The Corolla has very low operating costs, and the warranty covers the powertrain and exterior for years. It is also easy to drive, something that is important to young adults with limited road experience.
#4. Volkswagen Jetta – A Larger Compact Car
This is Volkswagen's compact car entry, and sales have been high ever since it was introduced. Jetta combines a low sticker price of around $17,000 with a good amount of standard features. The car handles very well, seats five passengers comfortably, and is an excellent vehicle for winter driving conditions.
The Jetta has a wide range of trims to choose from. In addition to the sedan, buyers can opt for a wagon and can also opt for a highly fuel-efficient diesel engine or sport 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The Jetta has a good safety rating and a high resale value.
#5. Honda Civic - Sedan or Coupe
Both the Civic sedan and coupe are praised for their low operating costs. The sticker price of under $16,000 doesn't mean compromising on overall quality. Civic offers plenty of interior space, the coupe is very sleek in appearance, and the fuel economy is excellent.
The Civic was significantly refreshed for 2012. One word of caution is that studies have shown that car insurance companies can have high rates for Civic owners largely because of its risk of theft. Be sure to get quotes in advance of purchasing any model so that you understand what your auto insurance rates will be ahead of time.
These best cheap cars for college students are those adequate convenience features combined with affordable operating costs. The models listed here are also models that should last for years and serve drivers well over time. Younger drivers will appreciate the savings at the gas pump as well as the ease with which these models handle in traffic.

This article was contributed by bestcarinsurancecompanies.net, where drivers can compare free auto insurance quotes from top companies.