<prompt> Human: I am looking to buy my first car and Im debating spending the extra 3-4 grand on a hybrid, or to save and purchase something cheaper. Im set on buying used with 40-60k miles and hopefully selling it again after I put another 40 on it. I dont care for a NICE ride, so Im content with picking something up for 8 or 9k as long as it meets my condition standards. Hybrids, of course, will cost that much more. I can afford up to a 300month payment before insurance, which means, if I want to grab a prius roughly 13k at the dealerships in my area I will end up paying 1,500more than otherwise on interest over a 4 or 5 year loan with my credit score. However, I will be saving considerably on gas. I live in the city so much of my driving will be under 30 mph, and much of my time will be spent waiting at stop lights... so over time that savings should add up. The problem is, im not sure that I should make a move like this early on in my financial career. Im 28, live in the NYC area, earn my 55kyear bonus 401k etc. MY expenses are minimal due to a lucky break where I dont have to pay rent for an unknown period of time its a VERY long story, but at any point in time I may find out I have 90 days to find an apartment, get my shit together and move out. Till that time, Im rent free. Currently my bills are 700month and expenses CAN be around 600 if I apply discipline which I have been lax with until recently. So, 1,300 now, 2,100 month if my luck dry up. I CAN afford this, and it wont be too great a detriment, but Im skeptical that it is the right financial move for the long run. What do you guys think?  <response>: Where in NYC do you live? Depending on the area, it makes zero sense to purchase a car when you have the MTA. 