3 Smart Cars Suitable For Students
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 1:45 am
And guess who tops the list... http://www.wpxi.com/automotive....htmlQuote »As high school students are beginning to commit to colleges throughout the country, an important question arises: just how are they going to get there?While the college bound youth are beginning to make arrangements for housing, class schedules, and meal plans, they may still be wondering what to do about transportation.College students desire cars that reflect their personality traits. Roughly translated, that means they will shop for cars that are cheap, reliable, efficient, and stylish. A car's upfront price, cost-to-own, gas mileage, and overall design will be its selling points. With this in mind, here is a list of cars best suited for college students.Topping the list is the 2008 Pontiac Vibe. Although its compact wagon design is similar to a number of other vehicles on the market, and it may not be comparatively popular, the Vibe is overwhelmingly practical. Its interior features foldaway seats that allow 54 cubic-feet of storage space when used. The passenger seat also folds down to allow long objects to be stored in the car, so moving big objects (like futons) shouldn't be a problem.The 2008 Pontiac Vibe features many simplistic and easily accessible controls as well, including a 115-volt A/C power outlet.The power under the hood is also a real pro for college students. With a four-cylinder, fuel economy is not a problem. The 2008 Vibe's gas mileage is estimated to be 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.The only real downfall is the car's lack of standard safety. Side curtain airbags, front seat side airbags, stability control, and antilock brakes are all considered optional. So, if students want a perfect five star safety rating on their Vibes, they may end up having to buy their books second hand. Without options, the 2008 Pontiac Vibe's estimated retail price is $16,855.The 2008 Pontiac Vibe earns an A-.Another excellent car for college students is the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo. Available as both a four-door sedan and a 5-door hatchback (named the Aveo5), the Aveo remains a major competitor in the sub-compact industry. With its retail price starting at just above $10,000 on the hatchback model, there should be some money left over to order pizza come finals time.A few other attributes of the Chevrolet Aveo that benefit college students include: standard front seat side airbags, a five-star safety rating, up to 42 cubic feet of interior storage with its foldaway seats, and a fuel mileage estimated to be 23 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.It has a four cylinder engine that buzzes like a pencil sharpener, but despite being small under the hood, the Aveo can fit five taller passengers with ease.Being a compact car, the Aveo also has a strong ability to parallel park. That means no more impossible parking spots on campus. And, like many other compact cars, the overall look of the car isn't its strongest point.Like all other cars marketed to college students, the 2008 Chevrolet Aveo comes with a number of options, including wheel upgrades and surround sound stereo installation. Other options like air conditioning and cruise control, however, will seem more like a necessity when it comes to making a Spring Break road trip into Tijuana.The 2008 Chevrolet Aveo earns a B+.For many college students, Hybrid technology is all the hype. The 2008 Toyota Prius stands out with its outstanding gas mileage: an estimated 45 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway. As a Hybrid, it also has very low emissions and is therefore friendlier to the environment than the average car.The Toyota Prius is powered by a tandem gas-electric engine that can operate in electric mode while the car is idling or travelling at a low rate of speed. The gas-sipping 1.5-liter engine is propelled by the electric motors when extra power is necessary for rapid acceleration.College students should have no trouble going green with a car like the Prius.However, the general comfort of the Prius may take some getting used to. The steering wheel lacks any telescoping ability, and the driver's seat cannot be adjusted for height. Overall, the car's interior is flat but futuristic, mixing plastic parts with a space station control panel. The trunk offers a 14.4-cubic-foot trunk in the rear of its hatchback design and, like the Vibe and Aveo, has foldaway seats.While the 2008 Toyota Prius is still an outstanding car for college students, with many standard safety features (despite receiving a four-star rating in everything but its front occupant protection), and even more options, it's the estimated $21,000 base price that brings down its grade. The 2008 Toyota Prius earns a B.Overall, the specifications of these three vehicles may not differ too much. It seems the car manufacturers have their audiences targeted properly. Yet the cars' resale values, warranties, and general performance will seemingly hold strong throughout their owners' college careers... even if they don't zoom through school in four years.