The Dixie Sun

Issue date: 2/3/10 Section: Lifestyles

Media Credit: Levi Arnone St. George car lots are always full of new and used vehicles. However, finding the right car at the right price can often be a struggle, especially for students who may be new to the car buying game.

Choosing the right car may seem like a daunting task, but with a little research and patience, the right car is not far away.

Many students do not know where to begin when buying a car. Many choose to go with used cars, but going used can be tricky. When deciding on purchasing a used car, Steven Senholtz, a freshman automotive tech major from Minneapolis, Minn., strongly suggests researching the previous owner and previous repairs done on the car.

"Web sites like carfax.com can help when you are buying used from a dealer," Senholtz said.

Senholtz bought his used car from a private dealer he met in high school. Senholtz has since spent hundreds of dollars repairing and fixing problems with the car.

"I've put a lot of money into my car," Senholtz said. "That's the risk you take when you go used. You never know exactly how the previous owner treated the car. I learned my lesson the hard way."

Dylan Topalian, a freshman business major from St. George, recently took out a loan of more than $3,000 to buy a used Toyota Tacoma truck. Topalian knew the previous owner and made sure everything was in good working order before making the deal official.

"They cleaned the truck inside and out," Topalian said. "They put in a new liner and made sure the carpet had no stains. The truck had a lot of miles on it, but I knew it had been taken care of so I wasn't too concerned. I love my truck and even though I am still paying off the loan, I think it was worth it."

Mike Sykes, sales manager for Stephen Wade Auto Centers, 150 W. Hilton Drive, said used cars are often a good way to go, but new cars have their advantages too.

"You can typically buy a nice used car with good options and equipment at an affordable price," Sykes said. "New cars though have rebates, and also have lower interest rates."

As far as choosing when to buy a car, Topalian said he thinks holidays are the best time.

"If you go around holidays like 4th of July, you get the best sales and maybe even a little extra off," Topalian said.

Senholtz agreed and said July is a good time to buy a new car.

"The newest cars usually come out around July," Senholtz said. "You can get the 2011 year of a car in July of 2010."

Sykes, however, said he does not believe there is a best time of year to buy a car.

"Dealers create a lot of hype throughout the year," Sykes said.

As far as advice for student consumers, Sykes said research is an important step.

"Go on Kelly Blue Book," Sykes said. "Find out as much information as you can before you go out to buy or sell. Do research and evaluate what you really need."

Sykes said good deals can be found if the time and effort is put into the research.

"The most important thing is to look for what fits your needs," Sykes said. "Stay focused on what you set out for and do your homework."

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