The cars of a college campus

As college kids, we find ourselves on the very verge of a collapse of our automobiles at all times.  Well, some of us do. I have seen some students riding around campus in their BMW 3-Series and their new Land Rovers.  This week, I took a close look at what students are driving, considered the car’s technology, ownership costs, and the cost of a replacement car.  Take a look at the short list below to see where your car fits.  I caution that this is a less than scientific study.

Subaru Outback
By far the most popular car at UNCG is the Subaru Outback.  Fuji Heavy Industry in Japan produces these station wagons and owners love their cars with cult-like devotion.  Subarus are perfect for plastering the rear window with that ubiquitous mark of college, the bumper sticker.  Subarus drive superbly.  Their handling is bar none in both snow and rain.  The exterior is built like a tank.  Subarus lack creature comforts like express down windows, heated seats, and Bluetooth compatibility.   The reason for their popularity on UNCGs campus is that they require little maintenance beyond tire rotation and oil changes.  Fully loaded, top of the line Outbacks cost right at $30,000.  Subarus hold their value and used Outbacks, while readily available, are not the best bargain in used cars.

Honda Civic
Civics, Honda’s entry-level car, is another popular car on UNCG’s campus.  It is possible for a Civic to rack up 300,000 miles before dying.  New Civics are available for under $30,000.  Like Outbacks, Civics hold their value.  Because they are so readily available for purchase as the result of saturation of the market place, Civics are available for as little as a couple of thousand dollars.  Maintenance on a Civic is minimal but does require regular dealership inspections.  While this dealer work may seem expensive at $500-$700 a pop, it is well worth the trip and the cost to keep your car running for 100, 200, 300,000 or more miles.  Also, scheduled maintenance is usually done every 25,000 miles or so.  For the average driver, this is about once ever two years.

Jeep Cherokee
Cherokees are extremely popular.  They are great for hauling cargo and people.  They are comfortable and they are inexpensive in the used market place.  The problem with Cherokees is that they require a tremendous amount of maintenance.  Tires, shocks, and breaks are all costly repairs on Jeeps because of their size.  Also, Jeeps are known for transmission problems, poor gas mileage, overheating, low emission standards, and other issues.  It seems that our parents loved the Cherokee during the heyday of SUVs.  Since our parents have now switched to hybrids and crossover SUVs, we have inherited their former family haulers.  A new Jeep Cherokee now starts at over $32,000.

VW Beetle or Bug
The VW Bug is both classic symbol of the automotive industry and the mark of spoiled teenagers.  Bugs are cute.  Too cute.  They come various shades of yellow, lavender, and green and are almost always tagged with pink bumper stickers that read “UNCG Girl.” If a boy owns the car, it tends to be black and have an Apple sticker somewhere on it.  Bugs are readily available on the second hand market and they come in a variety of prices.  A new bug will cost about $18,000.  I am torn over whether or not VW can be considered a reliable vehicle.  They do run forever.  However, they are plagued by electrical problems like windows that do not work, or retractable roofs that often get stuck.  Nonetheless, the VW Bug remains a classic both on UNCG’s campus and around the world.