Growing up I was always told that I would have to buy my first car if I wanted to get places. Well, that didn't happen.
I was given a car that my parents already owned and eventually got a second car due to a car accident. Since I knew I was going to be commuting to The College from my home every day, I knew it was time to upgrade and get something I enjoy sitting in (aka is very comfy for days I get stuck in traffic), has all the features I want and more, and gets better gas mileage.
My previous car was just a base model from 2006, so it wasn't quite caught up in time with today's technology. This car I had had nothing that I wanted, at all. I was getting roughly 16 miles to the gallon in the city (that's terrible for a small compact car) and roughly 20 miles to the gallon on the highway (still terrible and makes me want to cry).
Now, I drive a 2017 and is a base model still but has everything I could ask for. Gets WAY better gas mileage, 30 in the city and 45 on the highway.
I test drove around 20 cars and asked plenty of people their opinion on someone young owning a car. Most people told me that it is a great idea because it builds a credit score, teaches you how to keep track of your money since you will most likely be paying it off for 6 years, teaches you what being an adult feels like, and how to take care of something that is worth a lot.
My main purpose for buying a new car is so when I am done with school and it is time to get a job, a place to live, etc., I have something of value to me already and a credit score.
Now I do get a lot of smack from people age that it is stupid to be 20 and own a car that I have to pay for. Yet, my response 9 times out of 10 is that when we are all done with school, I am one step ahead.
I have something that is truly mine already. I also mention when it comes down getting an apartment lets say, and I have a great credit score and the other person has no credit score, who would the renters/owners most likely choose?
Obviously, the person who they know made all payments on time and can see that from their score. It will tell them that "hey this person is a reliable trust worthy person and won't ever be late or miss a payment."
This is why I highly encourage being young and owning your own car. Yes, it seems difficult and pointless but further down the line one day, I will be further than most my age because I can say I bought my first car when I was 19. That right there will get me to my goals and why someone could trust me more than someone who has nothing.
