Remember buying your first car? Wrapping your fingers around your new set of keys? Dangling them in front of everyone's nose? What a feeling!

How about your first, brand spanking new vehicle? Nothing compares with the smell of new plastic, fresh upholstery, and new electronics settling in for the first time. Magnificent! I get that feeling of "I have arrived." The advertising tells us it is "Pride of Ownership." I just know, it's more fun than showing off new clothes and lasts lots longer.

Buying clothes is fun. Why, I ask, does the joy of vehicle ownership include so much stress and agony? Wheeling and dealing with pushy salespeople and steely-eyed bankers. Deciding what insurance is best. Not to mention, arguing with dealers when something goes wrong. How do you make "pride of ownership" a real joy instead of a real pain?

First, review your finances.What can you comfortably afford? Don't forget details. My registration went up three hundred dollars per year on my latest car. Taxes, insurance, warranties, financing costs, and of course, gasoline and regular maintenance will put dents all over your bank account. Let your budget help guide your choice of vehicle. Don't find a car first and then force it into your budget. Don't be "car rich" but "cash poor." Owning a pricey vehicle makes no sense if you can't pay for your tunes, a holiday, Christmas presents for your family, and maybe even groceries. Plus, if you can't keep up your payments, your credit rating can take a beating it will take years to build back.

Some are lucky enough to buy any vehicle we want. Some will never take a road rougher than the driveway to Aunt Hazel's farmyard. That won't stop us from buying the K12Monstro 4x4, complete with leather buckets, high-powered stereo, special off-road equipment from brush guards to skid-plates. Or despite having four kids and one on the way, not to mention being part of a car pool, some still insist on buying a two-seater just to look sporty. Mind you, if you are the single, free-wheeling, just retired grandmother, the two-seater may have your name written all over it. Make sure you have room for the golf clubs!

Don't let anyone dictate your choices. Not the dealer, your best friend, or your brother-in-law. If we are all going to be oh-so-practical, the poor auto manufacturers would never know where to spend their advertising dollars. Not to mention how bland and boring the highways and byways would be.

Just keep in mind, hauling three kids and equipment to sporting events requires, at least, a mini-van! Taxiing the kids around is easier with a four-door. New parents should consider safety options. Remember, anyone with kids under 4'7" or babies, should NEVER be in the front seat of the vehicle. Rapidly inflating passenger-side airbags can kill. Commuters and salespeople should look for good gas mileage. Look at your present needs. Determine your lifestyle according to what you do daily. Anticipate future lifestyle changes. If children are in your near future, think four-door. Moving to the far reaches of the universe where ice and snow prevail, think four-wheel drive.

Consider performance. We've all heard of horsepower. What comes to my mind is - Camaro, cruising, and, now I'm dating myself, hunks! The more horsepower you have the stronger the engine is. But not necessarily the fastest car! Look at turbo? One reason I love driving my Mom's van is because it is turbo charged! Passing on the freeway is a breeze. They also add thousands to the price and cost more to maintain.

Even if you are only looking for basic transportation, adequate performance is key.Performance also relates to safety.Avoiding potholes that pop out from nowhere, merging onto monster freeways, and hitting the brakes for "Misty" the neighbors cat, are important when looking at performance.

Avoid pushy salesme by going to the car lots after hours. Most don't mind because at least you're looking at their cars! You can eliminate some of your choices and and still look at some of your dreammachines. Judgmental salesman won't be pushing you away from the sporty little foreign jobbies towards the big domestic station wagons!

Before you start shopping, eliminate any vehicle that isn't going to work for you. Focus your time and energy on what will work. There is usually a difference between what you "want" as compared to what you really "need."

Here are some tips:

If you take your pooch for a ride once in awhile, watch out for leather seats. It takes nothing at all for an excited doggie with long nails to rip a thousand dollar gash in your Italian seats.

If you haul a lot of gear, like fishing tackle or golf clubs or special tools, and have your heart set on an extended cab pickup because you like the enclosed inside space, get the three or four door option. The ease of loading and unloading is alone worth the price, even you hardly ever haul passengers.

If you are going trailering or are carrying weight, a vehicle matched to the job makes sense. If you insist on the economy motor and still want to haul a trailer in the mountains, be prepared to watch joggers passing you steadily. And don't expect your tiny commuter car to do a good job hauling the 26 foot trailer you want.

Those giant sport utility units like Expeditions actually have much the same wheelbase as many mini-vans. If you are thinking that type of vehicle because you want four-wheel drive, look at the mini's with all-wheel drive. For a lot less than a sport utility, you can have volume cargo capacity, traction, good handling and good looks. Of course, you won't get that "king-of-the-road" feel towering over everybody.

There are vehicles out there for everybody. Spend time making a decision. Make the "pride of ownership" stay with you as long as you can.