The goal is finding cheap cars that are well built, reliable, and fun.

There use to be a saying in Detroit that small cars could be two of three things: the choices were good, fast, and cheap. Twenty years ago a small car could only be two of the three, but today they can be all three.

• Do your homework.Check out the operating costs of the vehicle, not just the purchase price. The operating costs consist of gasoline, insurance and overall maintenance.

• You will need to have a strict budget that you'll need to follow. Your budget should include the exact amount that you would like to spend on the car. Don't just look at the new car price. Remember to include taxes, fees, and specific options into your budget.

• Don't get suckered into buying any features that you don't really need. Any car can look great, drive well and last a long time. Cheap cars are not bad cars. Remember, keeping the price down is the primary objective.

  There are certain options that should not be overlooked when buying a new car, specifically the following:

• Air conditioning
• Anti-Lock Brakes

Contrary to what many people think, power options such as power windows, seats, locks and mirrors do not improve the value of your car by a large amount once it leaves the new car lot, especially in sub-compact and compact car classes. In fact, down the road you may end up spending hundreds of dollars fixing these features when they break down....and they eventually will.

• If you will be driving a lot, you should look for something with good fuel economy. A small difference in fuel efficiency can make a big dent in your wallet over the next few years.

• You may also want a folding rear seat if you will be carrying anything bulky.

• If you will be doing a lot of commuting then you may want to get cruise control.