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THE BEST USED CARS FOR YOUR GRAD
American Pride Automotive • May 31, 2013
Do you have a recent or soon-to-be high school or college graduate on your hands this year? If so, maybe you have already crossed the bridge that is your graduate’s first car-buying experience. However, if your son or daughter still needs a safe, dependable vehicle for wherever the road ahead takes them, a quality used car is a great choice–and a perfect graduation present!
Today we’ll provide some guidance on the best general vehicle choices for several different types of graduates and even provide examples of what American Pride has in stock to suit each particular need. All of these vehicles and more can be found on our sister site, www.americanprideautosales.com. Remember, the vehicles posted today may leave our dealership by the time you refresh the page!
THE BEST USED CAR FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES STAYING CLOSE TO HOME
Whether they have a job in the area right after high school, are taking a gap year or decide to attend college nearby as a commuter, this grad needs a reliable car with fair gas mileage and enough ruggedness to withstand a variety of weather conditions. A good option we have in stock is the 2005 Subaru Legacy (NATL) Outback R, L.L. Bean Edition.
This crossover has under 75,000 miles and an EPA estimated 25 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg in the city. All-wheel drive should ease your safety concerns and the extra storage space makes the vehicle a flexible choice. The internet price is $13,900.
THE BEST USED CAR FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES GOING OFF TO COLLEGE
If your student is allowed to bring a car to campus freshman year and plans to, they need a highly fuel-efficient vehicle with plenty of storage for loading in and breaking down a dorm room. For this student, we present a 2007 Volkswagen GTI. It may look like a tiny, zippy pod from the future, but the GTI has a ton of trunk space. It’s also really fun to drive.
The GTI boasts an EPA estimated 32 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in the city and is also listed at $13,900.
THE BEST USED CARS FOR COLLEGE GRADS WITH LOANS OR GRAD SCHOOL
Many graduates these days enter the “real world” with a ton of responsibility on their shoulders in the form of debt, unemployment, or continuing education. If your son or daughter is among them, think reliability first, price second when buying a used car. This type of grad needs to get to point A to point B without worrying about or emptying their wallet for major repairs.
The 2007 Ford Focus fits the bill here. With few frills, solid safety ratings and great gas mileage (27 mpg city and 37 highway), you can’t go wrong with Focus. Our ticket price is $6,900.
THE BEST USED CARS FOR COLLEGE GRADUATES LIVING DEBT-FREE
If your grad made it through college without loans, congratulations! Especially if they have a good job on the horizon, the best type of car for this grad is something fun, attractive and reliable. With that in mind, we present to you a 2009 Chevy Malibu LTZ.
The Malibu is a blast to drive and this particular one is shiny, stylish and spotless. It gets great gas mileage, too, with 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. At a ticket price of $14,900, any young adult getting their feet wet in the real world would be proud to own this vehicle.
THE BEST USED CARS FOR GRADS GOING INTO THE MILITARY
While your student may not need a vehicle in basic training, help them prepare now for a life with a lot of moving from place to place with a quality, safe pickup truck like this 2005 Ford F-150 XLT. The F-150 has remained at the top of its class for years, and for good reason.
Make your child’s graduation even more unforgettable by giving them the gift of a dependable car. You never know where it might take them. Check out our full inventory of pre-owned vehicles online or stop in at either the Newport News or Williamsburg locations to see your options on the lot. And since we service what we sell, you can rest assured that American Pride has confidence in each and every vehicle that drives out of the dealership.
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You’re driving home at night and it is raining cats and dogs. You can’t see but 20 feet in front of your car, but you’ve slowed down and are being extra cautious, so what could go wrong? Then you feel it. A sinking Cl-clunk. Maybe that “puddle” you saw ahead of you was deeper than just a puddle. Before you know it, your car is stalling in the high water in the middle of the road. Now what? First off, don’t panic. Turn on your hazards and crank the ignition once. If the car starts, make it dry land and pull over to assess the damage. If it does not start the first time, do not try to start it again. Doing so can result in a hydro locked engine and will likely necessitate the rebuilding or replacement of the engine. Unfortunately, if you find yourself stalling in water at all, your vehicle will probably need costly repairs. The best way to avoid water damage is to practice safe and smart driving in wet weather, which brings us to Part 2 of the Everything Auto “Blame it on the Rain” series (Find Part 1 here). Take heed of these severe weather driving tips: 1. TAKE NO CHANCES ON PUDDLES Even if the standing water ahead of you looks shallow enough to drive through, think twice. If the water is “rushing” or if other drivers are making a point to avoid it, don’t assume that your vehicle is the exception. Additionally, you never know the hazards that lay at the bottom of a puddle. Hidden potholes or debris can pierce your tires and jostle your alignment and suspension system. 2. IF YOU MUST TAKE A CHANCE, TAKE IT SLOW AND STEADY When you deem it necessary and safe to drive through water of questionable depth, go slowly. Speeding through a puddle, even a shallow one, can splash water into your vehicle’s intake and critically harm the engine. Like we mentioned last week, after driving through standing water, lightly tap your brakes to make sure they aren’t saturated and to dry them off. 3. KEEP A ROADSIDE EMERGENCY KIT HANDY Sometimes, no matter how careful you are on the road, accidents and vehicle malfunctions happen, especially in wet severe weather. That’s why it is extremely important to keep emergency supplies ready in the trunk for the worst case scenario. You can buy a preassembled one, but it is cheaper (and more rewarding) to assemble your own. What should you include? Edmunds.com provides an excellent comprehensive list of items, a few of which include: 12-foot jumper cables Four 15 minute road flares Two quarts of oil A gallon of antifreeze A first-aid kit. Find the rest of the list here We hope that this series has given you helpful safety insights and tips for driving in the rain! Remember that American Pride Automotive is always here to help and ready to answer any and all of your auto repair and maintenance questions! Call or contact us today.
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