When you start to buy a car, one of the first things to do is decide how much you want to spend, how much you want to put down, and what monthly payments you prefer. A down payment can often help you get better financing terms and protect you against the depreciation of your car. Traditionally, experts recommend you put a 20% down payment when buying a car, but the average price reduction can be closer to 12%.

Try to get a good interest rate.

Rates will vary depending on the lender and manufacturer and the person's credit score. Research different vehicles and shops around to find these deals. Capital One Auto Navigator is a great tool that lets you see the exact price of the car you're interested in. If you're looking for a zero interest rate, they're usually only offered as an incentive by a particular manufacturer on a particular vehicle.

Consider your gas mileage.

In general, small hybrid cars can get good gas mileage, sometimes as much as 50 miles per gallon.

Don't forget the extra cost.

When you buy a car and negotiate the sale price, that's just the first expense. You'll also need to account for sales taxes, registration fees, dealer fees, and other extras. Once you own the car, you also have to pay for insurance, gas, maintenance, and parking. Therefore, it is important for car buyers to conduct research to understand the total cost of ownership to ensure that it fits within their budget.