Car Shopping

When did car shopping get so difficult. When I was younger it was all about how the car looked and how I looked driving it. Now I think about the maintance and the cost to keep the car running. I'm 18 and think like a 40 year old. I just wish I could get a loan instead of going to buy here pay heres. It freaking retarded if you ask me. How are you suppose to get credit if people don't wan to help you get credit?