In general, the cheapest car you’ll ever own is the one you’re driving now.
I always buy late model high mileage used cars.
My current car I bought as a 3 year old car with 145K miles. Now has 260K.
We buy 1-2 year old used with 10k to 25k on the clock. Save 25% to 30% over new price (let the other owner absorb the depreciation driving it off the lot). Put down 30% and finance for five years. Keep it 10 years or more.
Registration and insurance fees are a lot lower that way, too.
Not rocket science.