The first car you buy is a huge purchase, and it’s smart for new drivers to pump the brakes a bit before you make decisions.

There are safety studies, market advice and economic data that can help you navigate the market and land on a purchase that puts two big priorities first: safety and economy.

No matter what you set out to buy, you will also be navigating the world of auto financing for the first time as well. Thankfully, there’s help there, too. You can get pre-qualified by Credit Acceptance and have a good sense of your budget, even before you go shopping.

Here are some things to consider in order to choose the right first-time car.

New or Used

Cost aside, it may be easier to make a first-time car purchase a brand new one. There’s no vehicle history to worry about, you get a full warranty and hassle-free maintenance, and you’re sure to have the latest safety and technology features. You also have a better shot at getting exactly the features and color you want.

But a car depreciates 9% the minute you roll off the lot, according to Edmunds. They estimate the car bought for $29,873 is worth $27,314 the moment you put a mile on the odometer. By the time it hits its first birthday, the value may have dropped as much as 20%.

The used car market may be a more comfortable place to search for that first ride, if for no other reason than prices are lower. Buying used may also mean that your insurance payments will be lower and that you can get features you may not otherwise be able to afford, such as leather seats.

One big advantage for used car buyers today is that a quick search using a VIN number through companies like CarFax, will tell you the car’s entire history. This information comes standard at many dealerships.

Car rental companies may also be a good place to look for a first-time car. It may seem counter-intuitive, given the number of drivers and potential abuse that rental cars suffer. But agencies are required to keep the cars in safe working order and they keep a rigorous maintenance schedule. That means the wear-and-tear may be cosmetic while the engines are low-milage, in good shape—rental companies turn their fleets over every year or two—and meticulously maintained.

Just stay away from much older cars, which can turn into headaches when it comes to parts and maintenance and often lack the latest safety features, such as a backup camera.

Electric or Gas

The federal government is pumping billions of dollars into building America’s charging network and the U.S. Department of Transportation is aiming to make half of all vehicles sold in the United States zero-emissions by 2030. With electric vehicles (EVs) getting cheaper and more efficient, it may be worth consideration.

Most first-time car owners are also on a tight budget, and fueling your car is something to consider when making a first car purchase. While electric vehicles are pricier than gas-powered cars, both new and used, charging rather than filling up can save money on fuel. The U.S. Department of Energy rolled out an EV savings calculator that lets you plug in your location and car to figure out how much going electric can curtail fuel costs. The average savings is about $2,000 a year.

There are also tax incentives and discounts The Department of Energy is touting tax credits of between $4,000 and $7,500 on new and used EVs and hybrid plug-ins.

The biggest hurdle is likely infrastructure. American cities are struggling to build enough charging stations to keep up with the popularity of electric vehicles. If you are interested in an EV, do some research on your routines and stomping grounds. If you need to juice up between overnight charging at home and errands, check whether your workplace, school, grocery store or gym have charging stations.

If you want more safety information on the car you’re eyeing, whether gas or EV, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety makes all their crash test data available. To get more information on auto financing, fill out the pre-qualification form at Credit Acceptance and learn what your budget looks like. It will help you negotiate a price on whichever first car you choose.