Buy a new car or be smart and save?
I've been getting an itch to buy a new car, but I know the smartest thing to do would be to continue driving what I have into the dirt. I drive a 2009 chevy impala and it runs fine and gets me to and from work. I'm 23 and currently live with my parents still, and am fortunate that they don't charge me rent or any expenses for living with them. However lately I've been really craving a nicer car, specifically a two-door coupe, and have been browsing at about a $30k price range. Right now, a 2024/2025 mustang is really what's catching my eye. I know that I really shouldn't, especially because my job is only a 3-4 minute drive from the house, and because the car would only be used in the spring-fall when there isn't any snow. I think I'm really envious of all my friends who have nicer cars, especially my best friend who gets to drive a bmw m240i thanks to his parents being fairly wealthy. Any advice to either justify or really hammer home not buying a car?
Edit: I make about $20k per year, and have about $50k saved up. Paid off my student loans from when I was still in college as well so everything I make is going straight into the bank and staying there. My buddy and I both plan to move in together when we're ready, and it would most likely be a townhouse close to where we live now in the suburbs since we both live and work in the same town.