<prompt> Human: Hello! I am a teenager with an old 1998 Camry. I am planning on using it until it dies. It has 200,000 miles on it, it has been extremely well kept, so I hope I can get at least 300,000 miles out of it. While it may take quite a few years for it to reach this milestone, I feel it is important to start saving now for a new car. I am fifteen now, so hopefully I will be around 19 or 20 years old when I need a new car. As a very early thought I am thinking a 23,000 Ford Fusion. At the age of around 20 years old, is it smart to Lease a car, Finance it, or since I will start saving now, buy it on day 1? My parents think it would be good to save the money and then finance the car because it will raise my credit score if I dont miss any payments, but thats just it... I cant miss any payments. What is the smartest option, and do you think my current car will last as long as I am projecting?  <response>: There are options between ancient beater and brand new car.Im over twice your age, but I still buy dealer certified used cars; the depreciation just isnt worth the hit.Save up, pay cash.And never take out a loan pay interest solely for the sake of your credit score. See the wiki entry on credit building 