College Yaris?

I'm not in college yet. But I will be in about 2 years. I'll turn 16 in a couple of months and that means Drivers Permit. Finally!


I need some advice, so here goes-


1. Is it worth owning a car as a high schooler?


2. About how much should a first car cost (middle-income family)?


3. Is it okay to get a new car going into college? Or is that just stupid?


4. What about a Toyota Yaris hatchback as a first car? Particularly for a college student who will have to drive back home (200-ish miles).


5. Is the Yaris safe? What improvements will be made if I wait 2 years for a newer Yaris?





FYI- I do not like the Honda Fit or the Scion xD, please don't bring those up. I want to know if, when I'm having to be a frugal college student that I made the right choice. I know the Yaris has great gas mileage, is adorable, and is cheap-ish... but what about saftey?





Thanks.

College Yaris?
i own a toyota yaris i love my car. it isnt a hatch back it is a sedan. i like those alot better then the hatch back. personaly i think hatch back is very ugly. and if you get a yaris with side air bags then they are very safe and very econmical. i fill my tank up with $25.00 at 3.29/gallon. so u tell me if u can pay that every time u need to fill up. i love my car and i would recammened everyone that is looking at a yaris to get it. so i hope i helped and if i do say get one with power locks and windows lol.
Reply:1. No, gas is too expensive. Buy a bicycle.


2. By a third hand, $500 car and service it yourself.


3. See what kind of grades you are making in your first year then make that decision. If you are making all B's and As, don't get a car. You don't need the distraction and you do need to study.


4. The Yaris is great and as safe as you want as long as you drive under the speed limit.
Reply:The Yaris is going to be uncomfortable for long drives- not very ergonomical. It is very small and light, so safety isn't its greatest asset. However, for what you are paying for it- you are getting a decent bargain. It's a good first car. If I were you- do not be so cheap that you opt out of power windows or locks- manual windows (roll-down) will grow old very fast.





Another good thing about it is that it is very simple- the simpler the car, the less that can go wrong with it.





Another couple of vehicles that fall in line with the YAris are the Nissan Versa and Suzuki has a small, reasonable hatchback as well.





Quite frankly- I didn't own a car until I was in my last year of college- but then again, I live in a big city with good mass transit, so I really didn't need to. That depends on how far everythign is for you to own a car in HS.

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