<p>"Costs for eating out and party for commuters are not considered here.</p>
<p>I lived off campus but I spent a lot of money to eat on campus and to eat off campus with my friends during my college time."</p>
<p>but those are luxury choices, not necessities. Those on frugal budgets, those who are working their way thru college (which many commuters are doing), or those who have other financial obligations wouldn’t think of doing those things.</p>
<p>"I’m thinking it will be in the $100-200 range for monthly insurance. I think an older car, say costing in the $5k range, will probably need considerable maintenance from time to time. If we add all this together, then the cost of dorms vs. commuting becomes quite a bit closer in price, for that first year at least. "</p>
<p>Yes, but hopefully that car will last more than one year. We found a cheap used car when we needed a 4th car. Only cost us 3200…this was about 4 years ago. Still runs fine and only needed new tires and oil changes. I realize that such purchases are lucky, but IF YOU HAVE THE luxury of time to find such a cheap reliable car, then it can work. It never seems to work when you have to quickly find a cheap reliable used car.</p>
<p>If I needed to find another cheap reliable car for a female student, I’d probably look at used Suzuki Renos. They were cheap as new, likely cheaper as used…and quite reliable.</p>
<p>yup…just looked on Autotrader…a 2008 with 35,000 miles …under $6k.
<a href=“Autotrader - page unavailable”>Autotrader - page unavailable;