University of South Carolina Libraries
Homeworl before bu1 By Wendy Hudson Editor in Chief Graduation. A time filled with hope, excitement, nervousness and opportunity. Namely, the oppprtunity to buy a new car. wrt l_ _ . ?J_ _ _ t . r wneiner lis a graduation gin rrom Mom and Dad, a graduation gift to yourself or a reward for landing a new job, many recent graduates pick this time to purchase a new, or newer, car. Whether it's a new or used car, making a major purchase can be a daunting task. Doing research on dealers, car types, and insurance is just as important as test driving your dream car. When buying a new car, selecting a dealer who has special offers for recent graduates and has experience dealingwith them is vital, said "Jump intO 1 Bill Childs, general sales manag- C3TS Once yOU ? er at Puiiiam settled and all. Ford. hw.i .i_ _ nrixrc rrn frnm < Mane sure me wa-jo 5W 11 win 1 dealer recog- tQ expensiVe, b nizes you are a r recent college gO from expei graduate," Chiids expensive." said. For most r w. graduates, 99 percent are Leonjor preapproved creditwise. Pulliam Ford offers a $400 rebate and a $300 young buyers offer if they are 29 or under." Getting to know the salesperson is akn imnnrtant whpn ??lf?rtino 3 rar "Be sure you get a certain rapport with your respective salesperson," Childs said. "You need someone you can trust, who will be available to you after the sale in case you have any problems." Childs said the most popular type of car among recent graduates is something small and sporty, like a Ford Escort, Probe or Mustang. For some, buying a new car is financially out of reach, so they decide to go for a newer, used car. "HTL~ : Li.. ?l i iic cum is euu>iuci<iuiy icss uian a new one," said Mike Carigan, Toyota Center's sales manager. "A used car fits a lot of people's budget better than a new car." Most still go for the small car, said Carigan. He said the Toyota Corolla is the best selling used car among recent graduates. Both Carigan and Childs emphasized finding a reputable dealer and taking the time to check the car out before purchasing it. IK/ ... i . _ _ rou want to taxe your ume, come in and take a demo," Childs said. In addition to making sure the car runs well, Carigan said to consider the future use of the car. "Make sure you check the car out thoroughly and test drive it," Carig k a must ping car an said. "Make sure what you are picking out will fit your needs later. You need it to be a serviceable unit to do what you want it to do." The cost of owning and operating a car does not amount to the sticker price only. Service, gas and insurance also play a role, Carigan said. "Keep in mind the cost of operating a car, which goes out over a period of time," he said. "If it needs a lot of service, a lot of gas, you have to keep in mind what other expenHihirpc vAii'I! hivp qIca m Insurance is one of the expenses that needs to be taken into account when graduates are searching for a car or trying to decide between a new or a used car. Paying cash for a car will lower the cost of insurance, said Michael Jones, president of Leon Jones Insurance Center and Investthe bigger ments. , . "Any car that is jet working, oweci money on YOU can al- requires hill coverage," Jones said. "If nexpensive y0U pay for a car ut you can't cash- y?u iust have to have liabilisive to in- ity.? Full coverage on chael Jones a car includes comJ prehensive, colliies Insurance sion, towing and labor and rental reimbursement. Liability insurance is just insurance that will protect and pay for damage to another party's vehicle. The most imoortant factor that in fluences insurance rates is the driving record, Jones said. For example, a 22-year-old single male with a clean record would pay 51,596 a year in insurance on a 1994 Ford Mustang. If he received two tickets for going 10 miles over the speed limit, his rate would jump to 52,813 a year. If the same male purchased a 1990 Mustang, with a clean record, he would pay 51,176 a year in full coverage insurance. With the two tickets, the rate would rise to 51,944 a year. Jones recommends selecting a car that students can afford after the sale is made. "Purchase a car you can afford, one that is within your total budget," he said. "There's not just insurance to niV' thprp c trtr\nthli; m\;mAntc in. , uiviv, j liiv/iitiiij pa^iiicuu, tiisurance and property tax. '1 would suggest just a car they can pay cash for." Jones said students should remember that they can always go up, but they can't go down. "Jump into the bigger cars once you get working, settled and all," he said. "You can always go from inexpensive to expensive, but you can't go from expensive to inexpensive." Career Center Li The Career Center Library has resources available to all students, including graduates for one semester after they leave USC. There are several different categories of resources, not all included IlUt. Current job opening are available &0>U AN I Ef Oi Tv and tne St offers t c 12 C Rents incli All rates (Leases avai j $100 ]\ Loc University c 1 . -i . brary resources av; on SCOIS, in job binders and a job | hotline. Liberal Arts majors can find books i on the best companies for liberal arts ( majors and current jobs for gradu- 1 ates. j There is a federal career directory 1 for jobs in government and guides to 2 tetl A HISTORIC RESIDEN ficiency $40i le Bedroom $46i vo Bedroom $501 Lide all utilities and < quoted are month t( lable, prices subject Summer Special per month discc /lay 1 - August 1 ated across from I if South Carolina ate Capitol, Corn he premier locatii [owntown living. (803) 799-1442 30 Pendleton Streel olumbia, SC 29201 J > O ^ ' lilable for grads Dublic employment. For the general job searcher, diectories like World Chamber of Commerce Directory, Job Banks tooks, Almanac of American Emjloyers, and Gale Directory of Pub* ications and Broadcast Media are ivailable. CE 5. 5. 0. :able TV. ) month to change) Hint the Horseshoe ell Arms 3n for t