It’s fun to drive a new car, but buying that new car can be a major pain. Add in the credit crunch due to today’s economic crisis, and you can find buying a new car you like that won’t break your budget really frustrating.

But it really is possible to get into a car you will love at payments you can afford. First of all, you need to know how big a payment really fits into your budget. When you are budgeting for you car, don’t forget you also have to pay for insurance, fuel, taxes, repairs, maintenance, tax, license, and registration. But once you know how much you can afford to pay, you can move on to step number two.

Secondly, consider how you will use your new car. Will you do mostly highway driving? City driving? Do you need room to haul luggage or equipment, or is passenger room your first priority? Your needs and your budget determine the kind of car you should shop for.

Next, decided whether your next car needs to be new to the world or just new to you. In the past, most people bought new cars because they were considered to be, and generally were, more reliable. With improvements in technology, however, previously owned cars are more reliable?but you do have to access the vehicle’s maintenance and repair history. You do not want to buy a used car that has had major repairs you do not know about.

Then you decide whether you want to buy or else. Leasing tends to cost less per month and demands a lower down payment. It’s an option worth considering if you trade cars every two or three years. But if you keep your cars until they fall apart, and you can afford a larger down payment, buying is a better option for the long run. If you live in a rural location and commute to the city, or if you use your car in sales, leasing usually is a poor choice, since going over your allotted miles can be extremely expensive when you return the car.

Regardless of whether you buy or lease, be prepared to negotiate. Get bids on cars from several dealers. Shop around for sales and specials, especially if you are buying a car at the end of the year. Dealers often want to get rid of cars at the end of the year in order to make room for new models. The internet makes it easier than ever to negotiate and shop around for good car deals.

Finally, if you plan to use financing, get your loan approval before you even go to the dealership. Getting your financing approved in advance makes you a much more desirable customer, and you are far more likely to get their best deal.

Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica?s leading car insurance portal.