Should I buy my first car as new or used and pay it full in cash or do monthly payments? I'm 18 years old?

At 18, the smart thing to do is to buy a tank and pay cash. Get a large, bullet proof, car with a minimum of features and add-ons' This is your learning car and you will most likely trash it in the first few years of driving.

It's a great way to establish credit but they'll probably ask for a cosigner too.

The best first car to own is a reliable, most mass produced US car or truck. That way you know most mechanics know how to work on them, the parts are cheaper and readily available, they have worked out the bugs in them, any recalls have already been issued and repairs done, and it won't cost you an arm and leg to keep it on the road. 

The catch 22 on the import cars is the cost of the parts and repairs when they do end up getting repaired. Parts alone can be double or quadruple the cost of a US car or truck depending on what you drive. And labor costs for repairs can be frightening.  

Good Luck!

Your money, your decision

Used and using cash.  Think of the interest you will save.

Buy used.  That's really important.  You won't regret it.

I'm a used car dealer who sells cars, mostly through in-house financing.  I have seen many of my customers who finance vehicles that are, frankly, outside of their means.  I have no idea what your financial situation is, but allow me to say, that the safest, most practical and most pragmatic choice would be to buy a used car, that is at least 5 years old, and pay for it in full.  Purchasing a vehicle new is usually a poor investment as it depreciates so much just by signing the paperwork, without even having driven the vehicle.  (reason is because the car no longer has a MCO [Manufacture's Certificate of Origin, kind of like a birth certificate for cars], and now has a title, so it is now a used car).  About half of the depreciation occurs after about 5 years.  So getting a car that is 5 years old, you can skip about half of the car's depreciation, and still have something that is relatively modern, and relatively reliable.  Avoid financing, because interest is torture on your wallet.  One of my first customers purchased a used VW from me, her payments were a little more than $350 a month.  For the first payment, about $330 went to interest, and a little over $20 went towards the actual balance.  I will never forget that.  It's been a few years and she's still paying on it.  I know I'll draw a lot of hate, but, this is what I do for a living.

Pay cash for a used car.

@ 18 you don't have the credit, money or work history/employment to qualify for a new car loan. Plus you can't afford full coverage  car insurance.

Happy Hanukkah....Merry Christmas 🎅

Most 18 year olds do not have $20,000 or so lying around to pay cash for a new car. Nor do they have the credit or income to borrow.

So, your options are greatly reduced.

I started saving at 14 so I could buy a car at 16 and I did not make it until I was 17.

You are 18 and are just now thinking about a car?

$3500-5000 can get you a decent used car. Don't forget about sales tax, title & insurance.

If you have at least 6,000 dollars, you should buy something used.  Save your money for college.