<prompt> Human: TLDR; Budget is 30,000 with the goal of putting 15,000 down. Salary of 43,000 before taxes. Wanting to know if general costs of gas and maintenance and monthly payment of 300 is feasible. Good morning fellas, I have quite the dilemma. Finally found a vehicle I love in the Toyota Tacoma, but Im concerned that my fondness for it might cloud my judgement when it comes to what Im actually able to afford. First Ill start off with saying why i listed the 2016 Tacoma, rather than earlier models. Last weekend I went to take a 2015 Tacoma TRD Sport for a test drive. Wasnt interested in that model but I just wanted a feel for how a Tacoma drives. Absolutely incredible by the way. Unfortunately, all available Tacomas that arent 2016 models are fully loaded. Making them all 32,000. I refuse to go over 30,000. So ironically, 2016 models will have more affordable options for me. I live in Ohio and the winters are getting to be a little too much for my 2001 Corolla. Now, my salary is only around 43,000 before taxes. So its not the norm to be buying a vehicle thats almost a years worth of salary. However, Ive saved up a decent chunk of change that allowed me to even consider this purchase.The dealer was able to find a 2016 Tacoma with pretty much all the options I was looking for in an 4x4 Access Cab for 29,000 before taxes and APR. So that might run a little higher than my limit. But they gave me an option to come in and special order one from the factory which can help bring the price down. My plan is to put 15,000 down including my trade in. That isnt all my savings or anything like that. Just the accumulation of the past 3 years. The rest of the savings will be for investing and for rainy days. Anyways, the lower the monthly payment, the better. So anything below 300month would be ideal. I dont drive all that much8000 milesyear so I dont really need to worry about spending too much on gas.I guess Im just wanting peoples input on whether this is feasible or not. Or am I just getting in over my head. All my friends tell me that I should get what I want or Ill just end up settling for something I dont really like. Factoring in gas and maintenance costs, does it seem realistic that Ill be able to afford this and still save moneylive comfortably? I just dont want to end up trapping myself. If youve read this far, I truly appreciate it. Im sorry for the wall of text and Im grateful for your time a patience. Any advice would help. Im almost dead set on buying this but am seeking all the input possible before I pull the trigger. Thank you.Ill provide any other information needed to better help determine the better decision.UpdateEdit: to say I did not expect the amount of responses that this post got would be an understatement. Been a hell of a day, thats for sure. I came here lookin for straightforward, real world answers and I think its fair to say I got them. I appreciate the time and effort you all took in your comments. However, when I see a fresh looking Tacoma while on the road, I will curse you all. Then realize you guys saved my ass a lot of potential stress and remorse, and be grateful for all that you guys did today. So again, thank you. Edit 2: Dealership called to offer me the truck at 26,000 out the door. This shit is getting out of hand. Still too much but its not making the decision easier.  <response>: You are going to do what you want and you arent going to like this...you shouldnt buy this car. You cant afford it and you are about to blow 3 years worth of good financial desicions. Dont ever own a car that is more than half your yearly income. Thats a hallmark financial rule. If you buy it youll burn through your cash, have a loan, and strangle your chances of growing wealth. This makes terrible financial sense. You are throwing money away and adding expense to your life on a salary that cant afford it. If you buy it and drive it off the lot you are going to lose about 5k-10k worth of it right away. Buy a used one which has much better value for the price. Youll thank yourself later. 