Buying a new car might be easier for new NIU graduates than it seems.

Several car manufacturers have programs for recent graduates to meet crucial downpayments.

GMAC has a college graduate program designed for students earning a two-year associate degree, a four-year degree or a nursing degree.

“We give students a $600 coupon to use as a downpayment for the car or as cash back. This is in addition to any other rebates on the car,” said salesman John Menne of Joe Daniels Chevrolet, 204 N. Fourth St.

GMAC gives automatic credit approval to graduates within six months before and a year after graduation, he said.

New graduates do not have to be working to qualify for a GMAC car loan, Menne said. “All we require is a verifiable commitment from an employer that he intends to hire you,” he said.

A car’s price should not be a buyer’s first consideration, Menne said. “Price is not everything. Don’t buy a car if you don’t like the salesman and he isn’t trying to help you,” he said.

“We try to make it so everyone can buy a car even without the money,” said Larry Pike, sales manager at Brad Manning Ford, Route 23 at I-88.

Ford has a college graduate program that offers a $500 coupon along with rebates, he said. “Ford doesn’t demand co-signers from college grads with a job.”

Pike advised first time car buyers to find the car of their choice. “Know what you want. Don’t buy a car because of a payment,” he said.

New graduates are buying a little bit of everything, including Escorts, Tempos and Probes, he said.

“We get a feel for when graduation is because two months before students are inquiring about a new car,” said salesman Jim Pelej of Sawyer Auto Imports, 460 E. Lincoln Hwy.

Honda does not have a loan program for new graduates, so Sawyer Imports sends its customers to local banks.

Ken Martin, First National Bank vice president of consumer lending, said he advises first-time buyers to shop around and take their time when looking for a car loan.

“Some banks have better rates than the dealerships do. You can pay too much,” Martin said.