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When you go to buy your first car, you will find that the experience can be exciting and pleasurable or frightening, depending in part on how much you have done your homework before you get there. Work to make your experience as good as it can be by knowing what it is you need and want to get out of your car.

Your first step is to determine what you need in a car. Think about your commute. Are you looking for fuel efficiency because you will be driving 50 miles everyday, or can you splurge a bit on fuel issues because you only drive 1 mile each way to work? Also consider what uses you will have for the car. For example, you may need to carry samples for work with you often, so cargo space will be an issue for you. Consider whether you think you will be having children before you purchase a new car or not. Also think about how long you want the car to last and how much your life is likely to change in that time.

Next you will need to know how much car you can afford. Do not get tricked by that statement. You need to consider the total cost of ownership for the car, not just how much you can spend on monthly payments. At the minimum, you will need a tank a month (probably much more), and you will need an oil change every three months, new tires and a checkup annually.

So, let us run some numbers. If gas is $2.15 a gallon, and you have a 15-gallon tank, then you will spend $32.25 per fill-up, which is $387 annually for one tank a month. Then you can expect to spend about $25 per oil change, $250 for tires, and $100 for a checkup. So the total for annual basic maintenance is $837 or $69.75 per month. You need to factor that money into your estimate for the cost of the car. A lot of people look only at the payment and fail to consider the whole picture for car ownership. You can call your insurance company (or pick a couple to get quotes if you do not have car insurance right now) to find out how much it will be to insure a certain car so that you can get a good estimate on that cost before you buy.

Okay, now that the money talk is out of the way, let us move on to considering features for the car. There are some features that you probably feel are a must-have. For many car buyers, a CD player is on that list. Others want to or are willing to get their CD players from stores and have them installed (likely for less money, by the way) while other drivers do not listen to music often enough to care one way or the other. Know how you feel about these kinds of features.

Also consider whether you want features such as a moon roof, a tail fin, or a navigational system. Remember that each feature you get adds to the cost of the car. Your salesperson should be able to give you a breakdown of the various features. For example, automatic transmission is about $1,000 more for most cars. You may think the money is worth it while someone else may consider it too much to pay or may even prefer to get a manual transmission. When you are considering extra features, think about the cost versus the pleasure you will get.

Other issues to consider include the type of seats you want. Some models come only in upholstery, but others come in leather as well. Color almost always is a choice when you are picking your car. Go with something that works with your life. If you do not plan to eat and drink in the car, lighter may work. Otherwise, stick to something that will at least allow you to camouflage any stains.

Buying a car is a huge decision so do not make it lightly. Take the time to research, research, research. Then look as long as you want. There is nothing saying you have to pick the first day or even the fourth.