Student Drivers: Do Your Homework Before Buying a Car

ATLANTA, July 14 -- Need a car for a college driver? Looking for a safe, reliable and reasonably priced car? Want to find a good deal on a luxury car?

Automotive sites, such as AutoTrader.com, contain useful tools and information to help you figure out exactly what type of car is right for you. Even before considering what make and model you're interested in, the first step is often doing your homework -- researching whether a new, used, or Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) car is best for your budget.

"Certified Pre-Owned cars seem ideal for the student driver -- offering the experience of buying a new car for a used car price," said Chip Perry, President and CEO, AutoTrader.com.

CPO cars are used, but often selected for their nearly new condition. They go through rigorous inspection to become certified, or gain the "seal of approval," from the original manufacturer, who often provides a warranty.

To some, CPO cars mean being able to buy a luxury brand for less, while others look at it is as peace of mind. You can request the list used during inspection and know what repairs or maintenance work was done. Even better, many CPO programs offer roadside assistance and free maintenance.

After you've compiled all your research on the type of car you want, save time and energy by shopping for your car by make and model on a classified website like AutoTrader.com. If you're on a tight budget, like many college students are, you can easily search for and compare similar cars in your price range.

Just like at school: do your homework, compile the research and then make an educated decision. Apply that to buying a car and you'll easily find the right one.