<prompt> Human: In university, I was a club cyclist because I was passionate about bikes and getting around by bikes. Fast forward to post-college, I drive to work, albeit 4 miles one-way, in a beater car that has had many expensive, unexpected issues ever since I bought it for 2k many years ago. These unexpected issues put my life and family members in danger, yet Ive poured more money into fixing it which in turn lends me to continue driving it to work everyday.I currently make 60k yearly gross, with about 2.4k monthly take home. Credit Score 740, got pre-approved financing at 2.2 from a local credit union. Monthly Expenses: 120 Student loans 25 Gas 500 Rent 100 Food 130 Car InsuranceI have about 1.5k to distribute to my ROTH IRA and bolster my 4k savings. rpersonalfinance has taught me to be a smart saver in addition to my discipline to not buy things I dont need. My plans are to possibly go back to school in the near future and I question whether I have any business trying to finance a used car as Im not sure I want to tie myself down to loan and a job I dont particular enjoy for the next several years. I have done my due diligence in researching and have narrowed it down to a reliable, compact vehicle. Im talking like a 2-4 year old 18k reliable HondaToyotaMazda that fits my reasonable needswants in a vehicle.I have commuted daily by bike in the past and I can certainly get around by bike, but itll take a lot preparation and determination everyday. Ive felt the inconvenience and sacrifice in safety when I had to travel longer distances, but thats aside the point. In my mid-20s, I feel Im at the point of life where I think I can afford it, and my family would definitely benefit from having a reliable car to share with me, especially for my siblings who drive my sketchy beater car everywhere they go. I understand that it is a depreciating asset and an expensive asset to maintain, but nevertheless I ask:Should I save my money until I absolutely need a car? Or should I allow myself to make a car purchase under reasonable terms?  <response>: Driving a car into the ground is obviously the cheapest route, but so is living off rice and beans and never going out with friends. It sounds like youve got a responsible plan, I say go for it.I have to put in a plug for buying a recent model hondatoyota from a rental fleet. My wife and I did that with Hertz, and had a fantastic experience. Downside, its rented and probably someone went over a speedbump going 40mph at some point in its life. Upside, it has an immaculate maintenance record, its only two years old, and its 10 cheaper than all the other comparable models out there. Hertz in particular made the process easy; the price on the website was only 150 less than the actual number we wrote on the check some document fees or something. 