Start from your total monthly budget (loan repayment + running cost), not just the sticker price. A 'cheap' car that burns fuel or loses value fast can cost more than a pricier one after five years.
A practical rule: your 5-year total cost of ownership should stay under 40–50% of your accumulated income. Urban family cars should prioritise durability, value retention, and low running cost; cars for long highway trips need good fuel economy.
Use ViDrive's car filter and run the TCO for two or three models you like to decide on the numbers.