Determine your budget and stick to it. Consider all the costs of car ownership when setting a budget. This includes insurance costs, tags and taxes. Fuel expenses can also impact your monthly budget. If you find that a new car is out of reach, consider a well maintained used car.
Depreciation is greatest during the first few years of a car's life.
Carefully choosing one of these can significantly lower your average cost per mile, and still provide dependable service. Determine your transportation needs and choose according to those needs. Cars are an expense, not an investment. The more you spend on a car, the more you will lose to depreciation. The clearer you are before you start shopping, the less influence a salesperson will have on your choice.