Current car rebates and incentives are being offered to help the economy rebound, and that may be a good reason for students to buy a new car.

Students typically purchase cars at the end of August, but the best time to buy a car is when rebates and incentives are offered, said Lenny Ezzo, sales associate at Pres Kool Chevrolet Inc., 1748 W. Grand River Ave. in Okemos.

“Many parents buy cars for their kids at the beginning of the school year to get it out of the way,” he said. “That is a good time to buy because past model years are going out, and new models are coming in.”

But many cars are available with little money down and low monthly payments right now, even though car sales have slowed since Sept. 11, he said.

“Because of General Motors Corp.’s current deals, it’s also a good time to replace old cars with new ones for a good deal.”

Through Nov. 18, GM is offering 0-percent financing for 36 months as an incentive for purchasing a new car.

Other car manufacturers, such as Toyota dealers, are also offering 0-percent financing for up to 36 months and a range of rebates for different models.

Chrysler and Ford Motor Co. are matching GM by offering 0-percent financing for many of their 2002 models.

Cars that have a better incentive or lease at the time is what students tend to buy, Ezzo said.

The S10 Pickup, Cavalier and Prism are popular student purchases because they usually have the best deals, he said.

Supply chain management junior Shelly Reinstein said she may take advantage of buying a new car while incentives and rebates are being offered.

“I would buy a new car because the interest rates are lower,” she said. “It really is the time to be taking advantage of that.”

Education senior Chad Ozias said he would buy a new car because he can get more rebates on top of the ones that are already offered.

“I might buy a two-door Jimmy because my dad works for GM,” he said. “I get a huge discount plus the 0-percent financing.”

Even with all the rebates and incentives, some students still can’t afford a new car and would rather buy a used one.

Criminal justice sophomore Monique Guevara said she’ll wait for a new car until she really needs it.

“I’m sticking with my old car because I’m still paying money on it,” she said. “Right now (Capital Area Transportation Authority) does the job anyway, I guess.”

Mechanical engineering junior Shaun Fratangelo said college is too expensive for him to buy a new car.

“I bought a used car a couple years ago that I’ll hang onto until I graduate,” he said.

Advertising sophomore Liz Watkins is also holding on to her used car.

“If it still works, it’s still good,” she said.