Once high school students start to get licenses, most of them want to buy a car. However, if your parents aren’t giving you a car, you will have to buy it yourself, and that can be a tricky thing to do. Thankfully, today we have this thing called the Internet, which makes buying cars a whole lot easier.

First off, you need to decide on a budget within your means. Cars come with countless expenses-like gas, insurance, oil changes, and repairs- and you may need some extra cash to fall back on if the wages you earn now don’t cover the costs. Once you decide on a budget, you can start looking at car dealerships.

It would make the most sense to buy a used car if you aren’t filthy rich. Studies have shown that three-year-old used cars are the most reliable and have fewer issues. These cars will also most likely have GPS and other current technology. With this said, these cars will also probably be safer.

Nobody wants a lemon for a car, and Consumer Reports has a few ways to prevent you from buying one. Look out for repairs on the car from past accidents, and interior water damage that could lead to electrical problems. Leaking oil or fluid is never a good sign, and neither is oil or transmission fluid in bad condition. Blue exhaust smoke is a bad sign. Also, when you step on the gas pedal, the car should not rev excessively before the car is moving or make odd pings and noises while accelerating. Always get your used car inspected by a mechanic to prevent a money pit in the future.

After the right car is chosen, it’s time to buy it. Just remember that you never pay the price on the tag, so be ready to negotiate the price down. Congratulations and enjoy the car!