"Having a new(er) car is no guarantee of fewer problems. I’ve had more problems with my new Oldsmobile than I’ve ever had with my kids cars or my older Honda or Toyota. "
Exhibit 4,935 on why not to buy American cars! It would take a realignment of the stars to get me to buy an American car when the Japanese ones are so solid.
Your insurance agent can be very helpful with the different state situation. I agree about having the car and insurance under the parent if possible if it does save money; however if that can still be done in the different state situation.
Also you will want to consider about your residency - that may be important with in-state student status.
Our DD got in a significant wreck, but she is in-state, so will continue under our policy until there is distance between the wreck and when she has a car and pays for her car insurance independent of us.
Your parents may also have an umbrella policy (which we do, but don’t broadcast this to our kids) - that is a help for really significant problems and ‘fault’ with major injuries/death/expenses.
Just a random thing, if you’re going to a state university for graduate school, there is a chance that they may not give you a choice but to get Ohio residency. I am working on my PhD at a public university and they require out of state students to apply for in-state residency after a year because the department will not pay the difference for the out of state tuition after the first year. Of course, this only applies to you if you’re at a public university and you receive a tuition scholarship. That said if these things are true it’s worth checking into.
AAA should work in other states. (Tidbit - It will NOT work inside Yellowstone National Park. At least that was the case for us about 10 years ago. We learned that the hard way. Sure wish the new tow truck driver that said he was coming for us had known about that.)
A well-maintained paid-off car is a gift that keeps on giving. It sounds like this one is still performing well, so – as most others have said – as long as you are spending substantially less than a car payment on it each month, the better move is to stick with your current car. And keep the AAA membership just in case.
Thanks so much for the help, everyone!
My mom called AAA and they said I’d be fine taking “her” MI-licensed car to Ohio. I just need to give them my new address once I’m there.
And as for the out-of-state tuition and residency concern, I’ll have to look into that because this is at a public university. I don’t think it should be an issue, though, because my official funding letter says I have a 100% out-of-state tuition waiver in addition to the stipend/regular tuition waiver. But I’ll check once I get there just to be sure it’ll continue after this year. Thanks!