['97ventureowner]

Welcome to AF!
There are differences when comparing buying a new car versus a used one that is a few years older. When you buy a new car you generally pay more upfront because it is new. That means your sales taxes can be higher as well as other associated fees such as title fees, dealer prep,and insurance costs.
A used car that is only a few years old can have a lower payment, and costs less because most of the depreciation has been taken by the first owner. Insurance can also cost less on a used car as well. Monthly payments can vary as well as many new car loans carry a lower interest rate than a used car loan and that can affect payment. Another thing to figure into the mix is if you get an extended warranty on the vehicle as they tend to cost less on new cars than used ones.
If you go a few years older, you might be able to buy a car where you can pay for it with enough money you have saved. That way you would have no monthly payment. If you get a vehicle like this that has a good track record for reliability , then you can even lower your total costs over time in the repair department.
For many people, they decide it's much more worthwhile for them (and their pocketbook or wallet) to hold onto to their older cars or buy an older car than to purchase a new one as it's generally cheaper to fix an older car than to make a monthly payment on a new car over time.
I've touched on a few principals when it comes to costs of a new car versus an older one. I'm sure there are more out there that will be posted by other members, and if your "just starting out" it might be a good idea to stick with a used vehicle.