<prompt> Human: Just some background: I graduated college about a month ago, and have a job lined up starting from early August with a 90,000 salary before tax and good insurance. Currently no debt at all, and I will be in the LA area for at least the next year or two. I plan on staying at my parents for around a year or so, which will cost 500 dollars per month for room, food, utilities and other minor costs. I plan on putting 15 max allowed by my company of my income to 401k since our company has great matching, usually 100 matching. Now I was wondering whether it would be wiser for me to buy or lease a car. The problem is that I have very little credit history so my credit score is not high though not shit. Ive only had my credit card for about a year now, which I pay off completely monthly, and thanks to my schools great financial aid had only 2000 dollar debt for college, which I recently paid off in full at once. This would affect my APR rate if I were to take a loan. Im trying to decide whether I should buy or lease a car. I am not trying to pay in cash all at once if I were to buy. Im not really a big car person, but I also do want something that is decent-nice. I was thinking in the range of a new Honda Accord two-door to Acura TLX. Should I be leasing or buying? Im just afraid that I would get a shitty rate and pay way more than if I had leased for 3 years, and then bought a car after achieving a better credit score. Acura does seem to have a thing for recent college grads, and provide them better APR rates though. The other option would be to buy it under my parents name and then just pay them the amount due monthly, but that would not let me build my own credit score. Assistant: Buying is always going to be more financially prudent. So will going with a used car rather than a new one.Human: When you say used car, what mileage is considered a decent used car to buy? I dont want something that will only last me say 3-5 years by last, I dont mean just barely run but run decently without much problems. Im not the most knowledgeable on cars. One thing that I would really like a car to have is rear view camera I suck at parking. I know its a luxury, but I am willing to spend money on that specific feature. Assistant: How much money are you willing to spend on a used car? You can get aftermarket back-up cameras, navigation, black box cams, etc., and install them on your used car. I was looking at back-up cameras at some store a few days ago and they are reasonably priced. Human: On a used car, probably up to 24 thousand ish? I can pay 6k up front right now, but after I start working in August, I can probably pay off way more than the minimum monthly amount. I need to get the car before I start working though since there is no public transport to my work where I live. Assistant: Whoa! Hold up, I think you need to re-evaluate your budget on a car. You should not spend 13rd of your yearly income on a used car, especially if you have to finance any of it.Human: Whats a good fraction to have in mind? I posted this below for estimates: I can only pay up to 6k up front right now, but I am intending to pay off way more than the minimum amount required monthly so I can pay it off fast. I am expecting around 4450 monthly wage after taxes and 15 of my income towards 401k. Of that 500 for the rent to my parents, which includes 80 of food and utilities probably. So another 250 for luxury food company provides free lunch. Lets say I save an additional 1000 a month on top of 401k. Around 300 a month for gas? So 2050 per month for expenses. Say another 1000 for my leisure dont really go out much. So that leaves 1400 a month to spend on cars per month including insurance for at least a year. What price range should I be looking at? Of course this changes once I decide to move out. Assistant: Ok, living at home with no or minimal expenses changes things but I assume you are not planning to do that forever? If that assumption is correct, save the difference between what you are paying your parents and what it would cost you to be on your own. Then when you move out you wont be shocked with how much you are paying for a car.If not, keep on doing what you are doing.Human: If I were to move out and stay in the area, I would estimate a total of 2000 dollars in increased expenses for home, utilities and food. Not sure how accurate that is. I would probably cut down 700 from my personal leisure, 150 from luxury food, 200 from additional savings, which leaves around 950 to be cut from cars? Im not sure how good of a plan that is or if my estimates are grossly underestimated. Putting at around 550 per month left for a car.  <response>: That sounds a lot more realistic. Do you really think you need a new car right out of college? Its a big commitment you may regret a few years later. Compare the 5k youll save over the next few years to driving a new car vs one 5-8 years old. I wouldnt spoil yourself too soon, the longer you live like a poor college student the easier the rest of your life will be. Its up to you but id value more spending money or retire sooner than buy a new car. 