[star_deceiver]

If you have the space, time, tools, patience, and knack... buy a used car. You can fix it up and drive on the cheap. What to buy.... there are many forums out there to help you decide what maintenance is like on an older car.

Or, if you're like me, buy a new car. My Vibe is the second new car I've ever bought. I bought new because, although I'm good at working on cars and have the knack (Millwright by trade), I don't have any space to work on them and keeping two sets of tools (work and home) is impractical and expensive. I also don't really want to be spending lots of time under the hood tinkering and maintaining any more then I have to. I do all the maintenance on my Vibe and KLR, so far that's mainly oil changes!

My first new car was an '05 Sunfire... drove it into the ground... got about $3000 out of it when I got rid of it. Got the Vibe new in '09 and the KLR a few months ago (new as well). Paid $16xxx cdn after taxes for the Vibe, it has zero options and is the base model... not even A/C! It's paid off, and (if I try) gets 38+mpg on a good day... but usually 33mpg and I'm not easy on the throttle...

There are some serious questions about what you're looking for in a car that you must ask yourself: What do you like? What do you want out of said car? Will you be hauling around a lot of stuff or people? Are you maintenance inclined and do you have the space/tools to do work? (adjusting valves in -20 isn't fun...) What's your budget including college and basic living expenses... can you afford a monthly payment? Do you care what your friends will think of you if you roll up in something that doesn't fit in as "cool" or "macho"?

Do your reaserch on vehicles... scan the various car forums and specs on said cars once you narrow your search.

Oh yeah, one more thing... Volkswagens are a NIGHTMARE to work on!!!