<prompt> Human: Im 16 and just got my first job, and Im trying to see what I can affordget in the way of a car so I dont have to rely on others for everything. If I need to finance, my father is open to that as long as I pay for everything. Im making 8 an hour with a minimum of 15 hours a week, it may be more some weeks. Insurance is looking to be about 150-200 a month Edit: Just wanted to add a thanks to all the replies so far! Im reading them all. With it just being Dad and I, Im doing my best to do a lot of the research on my own so as not to stress him out any more than he is. Ill be the first to admit raising a teenage guy is a handful  <response>: So... 480 a month. After taxes, lets generously estimate youll have 400 left. 200 left after insurance. That right there isnt a lot to work with. Much less having any money left over for spending money throughout the month. I would say your best bet, if your dad has the means and would do so, would be to find a beater on Craigslist for 2000, and work out a payment plan back to your dad 