internalconflict, if this is your first car than don't go for a new car or more than 3, 4K. Buy a used car for around 2000 or 2500. If you get a best deal in cragislist, sometimes there's a chances you can get it in 1500 too. Just search in craigslist in your area. Since Houston is a big city so i am sure every minute somebody will post something in it. I just bought one old used car for 1500, Toyota camry with 161000 miles. It looks good and works good, i am expecting that one to last for more than a year or two. After a year you will probably build some credit and you will have some money too and than go for a new car either with finance or full payment doesn't matter. I strongly recommend a first car to be a old used car but with less problems if possible. good luck.