Driving a new car is a lot of fun, but buying one can be a major pain. Throw in the tight credit market due to the economic crisis, and that makes shopping for a new car on a budget all the more frustrating.

But you can get a car you’ll love for payments you can afford. First of all, be sure you know how much you can afford. This is where you have to start. Take a long, hard look at your budget, making sure you include insurance premiums, taxes, gas maintenance, license, and registration in your calculations. Once you know how much you can pay, the move on to the second step.

The second step in buying a new car on a budget is to consider how you will use it. Do you drive mostly on city streets? Do you have a long commute down a highway? Do you need to carry passengers, or is hauling equipment and luggage your first priority? Your budget and your driving needs determine the kind of car you should buy.

Next, decide on whether you want…