When buying a car, what's more important to you: saving money or saving yourself a headache? This is the essential question you should ask yourself when deciding whether to buy a new or used car.

A new car provides you with much more peace of mind. When a car's odometer reads 12 miles, you know this vehicle hasn't been beat on by a careless driver. Plus, most new cars come with a warranty that covers malfunctions up to a certain number of years or miles.

The flip side, of course, is that you're going to pay more for a new car. Since few of us have $15,000 to $30,000 in cash laying around, you'll likely end up financing a good portion of the vehicle's cost. Depending on your interest rate, you could end up paying for the car two or three times when all is said and done.

Used cars can either be a great gamble that pays off, or a colossal headache that you'll regret. The best way to protect yourself from buying a lemon is to do all your homework. Research the web and find out what different makes and models stand up to the test of time. Some cars have a shelf life of 100,000 miles or less, while some will keep chugging along year after year.

When used car shopping, try to bring someone with you who is knowledgeable in cars. These individuals can help judge what kind of condition the car is really in. Also, try to get a read on the previous owner. Does he or she strike you as someone who washed the car every weekend, or someone who spun donuts in an empty winter parking lot.

At its core, the decision to buy a new or used car is simple. You'll pay more for the comfort that comes with owning a brand new car. However, there are thousands of wonderful used cars out there with years of life left in them. Are you ready to gamble, or will you pay to play it safe?

Learn more about this author, Sean Curtis.
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