[TenSeven]

Get a reliable beater. If it gets a dent/scratched? Oh well, it runs great and is cheap.

Graduate with a real degree, think "STEM", not "Arts" or "Studies"

Stay out of debt as much as possible. Avoid credit cards like they are cancer with AIDS.

Get a good job with that shiny new technical degree of yours.

Buy a house on with a good down payment.

Then you buy the car you want.

[cwatson6]

You already know the answer to your question.

[monkeychops]

Originally Posted by TenSeven

Get a reliable beater. If it gets a dent/scratched? Oh well, it runs great and is cheap.

Graduate with a real degree, think "STEM", not "Arts" or "Studies"

Stay out of debt as much as possible. Avoid credit cards like they are cancer with AIDS.

Get a good job with that shiny new technical degree of yours.

Buy a house on with a good down payment.

Then you buy the car you want.

uhhhh.....This is the smartest thing you could do.


3k-5k beater
then
Ask to use the money for a home after you graduate gets my vote.

[Jeb114]

In the four years in college I had a beater, only drove it when I went home. school lots are full of parking lot dings. Take the money put it away and after you get that degree buy any car you want after graduation.

[A7X]

Originally Posted by Jeb114

In the four years in college I had a beater, only drove it when I went home. school lots are full of parking lot dings. Take the money put it away and after you get that degree buy any car you want after graduation.

This makes the most sense.

However if money isn't a big issue, get what you want, take care of it, park so one side has no cars next to it so you have lots of room and enjoy.

If you would get stressed , just get the beater.

Like someone above said, you know what to do

[LStick]

Originally Posted by Dub9

I don't know what campus, but when I went to school, freshmen had to park in the furthest lot, poor lighting, and nobody cared about damage. Then consider if you wanted to go someplace with a few friends, your car is either crammed full or not used.

I would certainly do the beater car for 4 years. Put that 39k into an account and have $34k when you are done.

I bought a new 09 Cobalt and an 09 G5 for my 2 kids that graduated college and went on to Grad School when GM went bust back in 09. Cheap cars at $10k each.

College life is hard on a car, even with assigned parking.
While the G5 has its random door dings and a couple of scrapes, the poor little Cobalt was sideswiped in its first month on campus, nailed in the passenger door 6 months later, and creased in the quarter panel awhile after that.

After getting it fixed the second time, my younger son gave up on trying to keep the Cobalt unblemished and just drives it the way it is.

Save your money.

[ctrlz]

Talk to the kids there about the parking experience, door dings, etc. I don't know where you are going to school. Gusty winds are a door ding menace in open lots, less so in garages. My son attends school in Florida and parks in a nice garage across from his dorm for like $100/year.
And from what I see, the number of nice cars you see on campus is more a reflection of parental wealth than students who have taken on burdensome car payments. Those kids driving Audi A5's are not worrying about car payments. My son goes to a state school. These kids live and drive well compared to my own experience.
And, unfortunately, at some schools you may miss out on certain aspects of campus life without a car. It really depends on the school. I went to school in west Philly and didn't need a car at all. Very few students had cars. Probably different now.

[Zack46]

Worry about college now. I think the Camaro can wait.

[Aboynamedsue]

Get the Camaro, and enjoy it. Be willing to park far away and take long walks to class--no big deal. It sounds like you earned the car through your hard work in getting the scholarship.

[BrianL]

Be conservative, although you want your dream car. Wait, you are still very young. Get something very reliable, not a hot sports car that is expensive to maintain. Finish school, get a job, & work for the dream car after you get a house & your 401K started. Think longer term for priorities.

Yea, I'm old. My kids didn't listen to my advice either. Neither has two nickels to their name for savings, youngest is now 36, oldest 43. Both with zero saved for any retirement thoughts, but both have a nice car for now. Now, what is wrong with that equation?

[Diggitydog]

I have a prediction about how this thread is going to end.

"Decided to take my parents up on the offer of Camaro. Insurance licensing fuel repairs maintenance depreciation not an issue because I'm not paying for it. Really feel like I've earned this car you know because I got this scholarship so I've pretty much made it. And besides life is short, people die every day and YOLO and stuff!"

[freddyD]

Wait for the 2020 camaro,it's not that far away!and you'll be squared away!Dig it?

[tsanchez18]

Congrats man! I just graduated from college in May and bought a gen6. If I was in your shoes I'd actually buy a cheaper car because you can't trust people parking in the lot. Also, make sure you can have a car on campus given that you'll be a freshman. Unless you really want to drive one on campus, just be careful where you park and whatnot.

PS: Have fun in college. Manage your time well so you'll get A's AND still get to go out lol

[Whis]

WHERE you're going to college matters also. Demographics, income, etc.