How good of an investment would a vehicle be for a college student?

How good of an investment would a vehicle be for a college student?
I'm finishing my first year, and I've concluded that I need a car for commenting more efficiently opposed to taking the bus.
So, for those who have experience, how good of an investment would this be?

I need something that is reliable. I'm not getting a new car until I graduate, but as of now I'm thinking maybe $10k for something that wouldnt go to shit so quickly.

>How good of an investment would a vehicle be for a college student?

A deprecating asset with more costs added on(fuel, maintenance, repairs, tickets) is not an investment, it's a liability.

>but as of now I'm thinking maybe $10k for something that wouldnt go to shit so quickly.

There is virtually no difference between a $3k car and $10k car in terms of practical usage.

This is not an investment, this is a money sink.
There is virtually no difference between a $3k car and $10k car in terms of practical usage.
No. There is significant difference in the amount of maintenance one would have to do between those two ranges. If you buy a car with $10k, you're not going to worry about a head gasket, struts, compressor, etc Buy a $3k car and you can have fun replacing everything from the windshield wipers to the timing belt

Alright, time to come out. I agree 100% with you. My friend has the thought of spending $10k for a fucking car. I told him to get a piece of shit $2k Japanese car (parts are easier to find) just to get around. He says no, we have no experience so disregards my suggestions.
Plus, the resale value wouldnt mean shit. He's spending so much in the now when he can go for so less. He's looking for luxury, fucking retard.

Not only this, he has $8k saved up but wants to work to $10k. Basically spend 100% of his savings on a fucking car. Why not just spend $2k and the rest as it is the depreciating asset.
Fuck. I'm pissed off. Give me more arguments to convince him to not be retarded.

>If you buy a car with $10k, you're not going to worry about a head gasket, struts, compressor, etc Buy a $3k car and you can have fun replacing everything from the windshield wipers to the timing belt

No not really. Not sure where you got that idea.

It's really diminishing returns, anything past $3-5k is pretty much useless for practicality.
Sure it might not be a car you pick up gold diggers in but for getting where you need to go it's good.

Also take into account that for the cost of that $10 you could buy THREE $3k cars. You can't tell me 3 of them will last you less than one $10k car.

Bought a $1100 1996 Chevy Cavalier 5 years ago and I've never had a problem.

Bought a $12,600 2010 Jeep Wrangler and the tranny went out within the month.

Cars are a waste.

This.

Cars are a huge moneysink for no good reason, you need to be VERY mindful of diminishing returns.

More expensive = better is not even close to true for them. It all depends on the model too, some models have virtually no issues and thus can be reliably bought at Fuck. I'm pissed off. Give me more arguments to convince him to not be retarded.

Just don't bother, not your money why do you care how he spends it?

It's hard enough giving advice to people who ask for it, let alone people who don't ask for is impossible to convince.

If it get yo a$$ to work!

I care about the guy. He's been my best friend since middle school but holy fuck he's stupid.
He asked for advice and I told him what to do. But nope. He's going with his initial thoughts.

Same thing happened with a laptop. I'm known as the tech guy in our group, so naturally he came to me for advice as to what laptop he should get. I gave him some good suggestions on laptops that would last him the next 3 years comfortably. But nope. He wanted to get this bullshit $1000, outdated specs laptop because it was 1lb lighter than mine. I tried so hard to convince him otherwise but that 1lb argument kept coming through. The dumbfuck spent 70% more than he should have.