Buy a quality used car no more then 3 or 4 year old (i.e., a lease return). There is no better option. Someone else pays to drive it off the lot, but if you by a reputable brand (like a Honda) you'll have no problems till about year 10. You'll know you're getting a good used car when the cost is slight more then you think it's worth.

For those promoting leases give your head a shake. Actually scratch that, thanks for paying through the nose to break my cars in.