Car Questions

The reviews for the Impreza are excellent and the price is right!

I need a car.

Sorta.

You see, I've spent the past few years commuting between DC and Baltimore on public transportation. Between SmartBenefits, the Metro, the MARC, and an occassional Zip Car rental, it's worked well for me. But, I've decided to go to school in Baltimore and public transportation there is a little less reliable. I'm planning to live in the heart  of the city, so most of my needs will be within walking distance. Not everything though. I'm trying to decide if the cost of a car would be worth it.

The perks: convenience, independence

The drawbacks: pay to park+gas+insurance+ maintenance costs=expensive; I probably don't need a car, I just want one...badly.

I'm also trying to figure out financing. My tuition and books are covered by scholarship, so I could use a Stafford loan to pay for a car flat out--the interest rate is high at 6.8% but it would have the perks of a student loan--for me that means no payments until after graduation, an Income Based Repayment plan if I work for a non-profit or The Fed, and loan forgiveness after 10 years--or I could opt to pay it off sooner. Alternatively, I could get a used car loan at about a 4-4.5% interest rate and make monthly car payments for the next three years. As a student, that option seems a bit risky.

Then there's the question of what I want to drive. As much as I love my Wranglers, they're not practical for city driving. I'm looking out for a nice, reasonably priced 2010-2011 Subaru Impreza 2.0i Sport Limited--one with leather seats :) I'm also looking out for someone to help me inspect things--The Batman is brilliant but he doesn't know much about cars.

*Sigh*

Hugs and kisses peeps,

Bethany