Students tend to have specific needs and limited budgets, and thus choosing a car becomes a tricky business. Fortunately, there are dozens of manufacturers stumbling over one another to offer value at this end of the market, and thus there are more options for those commencing their studies than ever before. If you’re buying a new car, then you might look to financing to make sure you get the one you really want in the long-term.
Skoda Fabia
Much like the SEAT Ibiza, Skoda’s Fabia benefits from being part of the Volkswagen group – the engine here is the same one you’ll find in the more expensive VW Polo, making it a fantastic option for students who want a little bit of performance for their money. Go for the hatchback rather than the estate and you’re cutting down the boot space, but for many students this won’t be a major issue.
Dacia Sandero
The Dacia is unmistakably the bargain-basement option. And for many students, that’ll be all that matters. Who needs a premium-quality fit and top-of-the-range materials when you can have a low purchase price and exceptional fuel economy? Think of all the other things you might spend that money on and the sense in the Dacia becomes apparent.
Vauxhall Corsa
Look around the average university campus and you’re sure to spot more than a few Corsas. It’s among the best-selling cars in the country, and it strikes a winning balance between value for money, performance and looks. Look for a premium model and you’ll also get LED headlights, alloy wheels, and other features that were not-so-long ago reserved for high-flying executives.
Honda Civic
An older Honda Civic makes a more stylish alternative to the Jazz. The FN2 generation offers nippy performance at a very reasonable price, and if you’re persistent, you might track down an ES model with plenty of extra features to sweeten the deal, like remote central locking. The 1.4 version is the one that offers the superior fuel economy, so don’t hesitate to pull the trigger should you track one down.
Toyota Yaris
The Yaris’s easy drive makes it a popular candidate among those new to the road. Yaris owners also benefit from the car’s exceptional reliability, which if you’re isolated in an unfamiliar city might be exactly what’s required. What the Toyota lacks is serious power, but for most new drivers this won’t be too much of a concern.
