<prompt> Human: I recently wrecked the car I was gifted after college, and I am going to buy a new car now. The insurance payment was 4500, and I can spend up to 250 a month. I mostly want something normal looking that wont have maintenance problems, and will keep me from dying if I crash. What type should I get? New or used? How should I finance it? I have never bought a car before, and Im not really a car guy. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!  <response>: Honda or Toyota I agree with. Find something as low mileage as you can afford 12k milesyear is normal and have a mechanic look over it with advice. I work with car dealers on a daily basis and they all say to change the engine and transmission fluids right off the bat. Depending on what state youre in you may want to avoid states that use salt to de ice the roads. It increases the rust process on the under carriage. 