You've gotta have wheels. You've got places to go, people to see, traffic laws to break. Of course, the process of acquiring a ride ranks up there with moving, marriage, divorce and having live rounds of ammo shot at you on the list of Most Stressful Lifestuff, but the car-buying experience doesn't have to aggravate your ulcer.
Armed with a little bit of knowledge and an unwavering resolve, you can drive away with a brand-new automobile -- or a quality pre-owned vehicle -- with your blood pressure in the normal range and without that sinking feeling in your gut of "what-have-I-just-gotten-myself-into?"
Let your keyboard do the walking
Before you ever set foot on a dealership lot, log on to the Internet and shop around. Visit manufacturer's websites to investigate what options packages, colors, and model variations are available and in what price range. Compare and contrast to other makes and models. Check out the various consumer guides and automobile rating sites. Knowledge is power. Knowing exactly what you want will deflect the sales associate's attempt to sell you something you would never consider otherwise.
What kind of ride is for me?
Typically, the bigger and/or sportier the vehicle, the more expensive. Not only to purchase, but to insure, to maintain and to fuel. So while you may want to roll with your homies in a gas-guzzling SUV, it may just not be feasible to do so, what with $60 fill-ups and all. Economically (and ecologically), the best bet is compact cars to mid-size sedans. But you don't have to get a hideous Korean-made vehicle that screams "first-time buyer". Within a couple thousand dollar's reach are several fuel-efficient yet stylish cars, including uber-cool eco-friendly hybrids.
