So a "i think it might be a grown up decision" thought came into my head. I'm currently a pre-nursing student working on my pre reqs. I'm at a community college right now working for my ADN. However, my school's program is very competitive (3.8 recommended, I have a 3.7 program GPA, 2.8 cumulative -- I failed algebra + trig). I'll probably be transferring to Molloy University in Long Island once I get 20-30 credits or so (if anyone has any knowledge on Molloy's program, and/or any info on community college to a 4 year university transfer student experiences/perspectives please enlighten me :] ).
My "I think it might be a grown up decision" thought is the following:
If I'm going to be a future Nurse / healthcare provider when I'm older, shouldn't I have an AWD vehicle as a daily driver? I mean I already work in a hospital, I know nurses at my job receive hell when a snow storm happens. THey're not allowed to call out, some have to sleep at hospital so they can come into work the next day. If they do call out they receive zero pay, administration is up their butts. Not fun.
My current car, a 2013 hyundai elantra is great on gas for college/work. I'm thinking of trading it in though at the expense for higher costs in gas, for a 2005-2010 jeep grandcherokee. That way by the time I graduate my "work vehicle" is almost paid off.
TL;DR
As a dedicated pre-nursing student, should I keep my gas efficient car and lose trade-in value over the years for when I eventually get my "work vehicle" which would be an AWD daily (jeep grandcherokee specifically).
Or trade in my gas efficient vehicle now, not lose as much trade in value, for my future "work-vehicle"
Stay away from subaru as well since they are already being sued for high oil consumption in many of their new models, including this years, to the tune of eating a quart of oil every 1200 milesAnnie
Actually not true. There were a small number that had this problem and they have figured it out. I have a Forester and it does NOT burn oil.
With that being said, I have a 2014 Jeep Compass Latitude 4x4. Much better gas mileage than a 2005-2010 Cherokee, has 4WD, and I have it as a relatively affordable lease. I love this car ( I went with it because I liked it much better than my bff's Mazda CX5).
Definitely understand where you're coming from. I live in Northern VA and start nursing school on Monday. This past Thursday I traded my chevy Malibu for a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
My reasons? I live 7 minutes away from school. I moved to Northern VA this past fall and got to watch first hand just how incapable people here are when it comes to driving in the snow. I on the other hand, LOVE driving in the snow. So why not be the one who will be picking my fellow classmates up when they can't get out? Yes it eats more gas, but driving 6 miles round trip is not bothering me in the slightest.
It's really a personal decision. Are you financially comfortable enough to afford to spend more on fuel? If not, I would wait until you're working. If you are however, and you're worried about your current car losing value, trade it in.
Good luck in the rest of your pre-nursing classes!
I have a 2007 Subaru Legacy, no oil issues. I bought it while in school figuring that I could get to clinical in bad weather. I lived far from home so I had to have a dependable vehicle. The gas mileage is good as well. It can handle the snow like a SUV (maybe even better than one) and I get the gas mileage of a mid sized car. I would wait to make a purchase on a large SUV because gas will be expensive with a Jeep GC just for a school commute.
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
Had my Dodge Carvan 15+yrs which traversed many Philly blizzards to hospitals and making home care visits. Worry about vehicle AFTER nursing school graduation. Get the most for your money especially if first foray living alone as a professional with a budget.
Pretty sure when I was a youngin, I had already designed my "forever home and stable" ...even knew where every window and light socket would be. I had the colors And carpet already picket out.
So far, I've been spot on with how my "husband" would look like.
I live in the mountains where it does snow. I bought a Kia Sorento back when they were not a well-known company and got a good deal on my first NEW car with 4-wheel drive. Now they are pretty darn pricey.
It has 220,000 miles on it and still running fine. Works well in the snow.
We kept going back and forth between and Kia, Subaru, and a Volkswagon Jetta with all-wheel drive. I nixed the Subaru because in California, only old hippies drive those.
I'm hoping my Kia lasts a lot longer because I'm not ready for a car payment. I love having a paid-off car to drive.
I nixed the Subaru because in California, only old hippies drive those.
I won't disclose what state I am in, but I am certainly NOT old! I am mature. And, while at first glance you might think I'm a hippie, I'm a really bad hippie. I eat meat, think vaccines are a good thing, don't think acupuncture does anything, and don't believe in chemtrails.
I live in NH and drive a ford focus, great on gas and great in the snow. It does have traction control. I have a job that requires me to come in no matter the weather and I never have any problems. I also drive over an hr to get to school on some not major roads and have yet to end up in a ditch. I honestly think awd and 4wd are overrated. Nothing against buying one, but I wouldn't trade gas mileage for it.
I won't disclose what state I am in, but I am certainly NOT old! I am mature. And, while at first glance you might think I'm a hippie, I'm a really bad hippie. I eat meat, think vaccines are a good thing, don't think acupuncture does anything, and don't believe in chemtrails.
I made sure to put two winky's after my statement. But the truth is, at my advanced age, driving a Subaru seemed like admitting that I'm over 50. However, the Kia isn't exactly a sports car! My true dream car would be a blue 1967 or 68 Camaro.
I live in NH and drive a ford focus, great on gas and great in the snow. It does have traction control. I have a job that requires me to come in no matter the weather and I never have any problems. I also drive over an hr to get to school on some not major roads and have yet to end up in a ditch. I honestly think awd and 4wd are overrated. Nothing against buying one, but I wouldn't trade gas mileage for it.
There are so many smaller SUV's with 4-wheel drive nowadays. My Kia gets 25 miles to the gallon for the most part. I was not going to buy a 4-wheel drive that got bad gas mileage since I was heading back to school, over 70 miles away, down a mountain to sea level. Plus, I'm a hospice nurse and put a lot of miles on my car.
My husband has a big Chevy pickup . . good for work, for getting firewood, for helping people move, etc. But not good gas mileage.
I made sure to put two winky's after my statement. But the truth is, at my advanced age, driving a Subaru seemed like admitting that I'm over 50. However, the Kia isn't exactly a sports car! My true dream car would be a blue 1967 or 68 Camaro. 
FlyingScot, RN
2,016 Posts
Actually not true. There were a small number that had this problem and they have figured it out. I have a Forester and it does NOT burn oil.