How to determine the right car for your needs

So you need a new car. But which one? With hundreds of different car brands and thousands of models to choose from, you will certainly have no shortage of options when it comes to buying a car — though you may also encounter a bit of decision fatigue in the process.

By zeroing in on just a few key factors, however, you can quickly narrow down the options. Here’s how to ensure you find a car that is the right fit for you.

Decide on a realistic budget

If money is no object, skip this step and go ahead and get that convertible. For most of us, though, money is a major factor that influences the car we buy. To figure out how much you can afford to shell out, “take a few minutes to run down what you spend every month,” deducting costs like rent and groceries and contributions to saving