<p>Not sure whether this is a new low (or new high depending on how we see it):</p>
<p>Some credit card companies now team up with some elite college to issue the credit card with the school’s name on the card.</p>
<p>Just imagine that when you pull out the card to pay at a restaurant while you have your first date with a guy or gal, the card has one of the usual suspected HYPS “brand names” on it. Will the other person be impressed by it, or will he/she think you are a shallow prestige whore? (I am not just speculating this here. The issuance of such a credit card is actually happening!)</p>
<p>My H drives a 1995 Honda Accord with over 200K miles. We joke that he is the original “Dave Ramsey.” He put a set of expensive tires on the car and now his goal is to drive it until the tires wear out. Car looks like crap, but runs really well. H is the type who would never consider a car payment. And although he can afford to buy a luxury car, he sees no reason to buy a new car when his old one works perfectly well. </p>
<p>I would give D the safe, reliable Subaru. Better she have a car that has been well maintained with a known history than a “new” used car. And IME, kids are hard on their first car so I’d hesitate to buy anything new. My D drives an old Volvo and it has been a great car for her. We’ve put some money into maintenance, but it’s still cheaper than a new car payment. </p>
<p>First thing a girl at college with a car needs to do is find a boy who is kinda handy with cars…a car friend. If your car won’t start it is nice being able to have call someone to take a look at car before having to call expensive garage for simple repairs. If you can’t do simple tasks like check oil, jump battery, inflate/change tire, put coolant in radiator, know how to use a wrench…get friendly with someone at college who can. Too in car trunk keep a small set of tools, extra oil, coolant/water, flashlight, jumper cables. Hide an extra car key under car somewhere or screwed hidden behind license plate for when you lose your car keys or lock them inside car…you will lose your keys one day! </p>
<p>^ I believe you…I’ve asked boys if they could help me with things like putting air in tire and they don’t know how. I can do most basic car maintenance now myself. It is surprising to me how many people don’t know a wrench from a tire pressure gauge!</p>