You’ve saved and saved until you just can’t wait a moment longer- you need your first car. Perhaps you’re practical want a sedan to get to church and school, or you need a truck for work, or just want to drive fast in something sexy. There are some general rules that everyone can use to choose the best first car.

Establish a monthly budget

For many of us, there is a vast chasm between what we want, and what we can afford. Take a realistic look at your budget so you know how much you can spend on payments, insurance, gas, and maintenance. You don’t want to fall behind on car payments, or your car can berepossessed and you’ll lose your down payment and everything you’ve paid so far.

Take an Honest look at What Your Life is Like Now, and What You Want it to Look Like

Your car should land right between these two points. Are you planning on having children soon- then a two door sports car or small pick-up truck probably isn’t right for you. Do you plan on changing jobs in the near future? If so, how far might your commute be? And will you want to make a little extra money on the side driving for Uber or Lyft? Then take a look at their guidelines for what’s required in a car. While cars are utilitarian, they are often emotional purchases, so take some time and be realistic with yourself about what’s really best for you.

Locate Financing and the Right Dealer

If you’re buying a new car, you will often need bank financing. When buying a used car, many dealerships offer Buy Here Pay Here loans. If you haven’t established credit yet, or have bad credit, this is your best bet for financing. Ask to take a test drive. Make sure you are comfortable in the car, start and stop, merge onto a freeway, and get to know the car and make sure it’s a perfect fit before you purchase it.