[Blas]

Drive as many different manufacturers cars as possible within your price range. Be prepared to spend 10-25% more than you planned on.
Get under the cars if possible and look at the overall design. If it looks cheap it probably is…
Look at the safety related items too like seatbelt mounting points/design, rollbar(s), front crumple zones, adjustable pedals, steering wheel projection, etc.
Note the general feel of the car for your size and build. Are you tall or short, thin or heavy-set. Some fit better than others…
Look at fit and finish, and not just on new cars, find a few 3 to 5 year old examples of each manufacturers car that you are considering purchasing…remember, some people take better car of their car than others too.
Inquire about problems incurred with those older cars, are parts available locally,
Consider where you will have it serviced too…Dealer any where close to home?
But once you have one in your garage, stop comparing them and enjoy what you purchased…
There will ALWAYS be someone who’s car is better than yours…sometimes just because it theirs…