Never forget that the purchase price is only part of a vehicle's cost. Put as much down in cash as possible, get the lowest finance rate and opt for the shortest possible finance period. It's really that simple. You'll get a wholesale price for it from a dealer because he must sell at a retail price for a profit. A car with a prestigious nameplate generally depreciates less than one with a common nameplate, but insurance, parts and service for a prestige vehicle usually cost more.
Vehicles require much less maintenance than they once did.
But you're still buying a very complicated mechanical device, even if it's a Saturn coupe. Always read the fine print if you decide to get an extended service warranty, which should be backed by a solid outfit. Engines and transmissions rarely fail, so it's usually a waste of money to put them under extended warranty. New car parts generally are better than ever, but they still lose effectiveness with age.