In case the O.P. is still deciding: during the recent fire sale, lowest prices for basic V6 and V8 models were in the $20k and $30k range, respectively. That's a wide spread for 90% of the population, and can have personal repercussions for years if not decades. The sting of excess debt lasts far beyond the thrill of new ownership. Then again, if one has already built the capital to "buy in" without straining the budget against life's essentials--and the wise have a very long list of essentials--well then, YOLO.
In term of my academic pursuit, I drafted these decision trees. I hope to one day earn my real-car-guy membership card.
