The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, August 08, 1994, Page 2, Image 2
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
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