Thanks to $4 gas, those big, comfortable rides that were hits back in the olden days (like three years ago) cost too much to fuel. A sagging economy makes big purchases iffy, forcing people to hold on to aging cars longer. And now, with General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler drastically cutting back on leases, getting into a fancy new car every couple of years could end up being prohibitively expensive.

A lot of car buyers end up paying way more than they should for gizmos they don’t need. A few constraints on the pocketbook tend to produce much more disciplined shoppers. And automakers these days offer plenty of great cars in every price range, which means you don’t need a loaded car to enjoy a luxuriant ride. Here’s how to get the best car for the least amount of money:

Start with a strong set of standard features:
Virtually every car these days comes standard with amenities like power windows and a CD player. The best vehicles—even economy cars—raise the bar higher than that.Electronic keyless entry should be a given. There should be an auxiliary audio jack for an iPod or MP3 player, so you don’t need to worry about carting CDs around. Satellite radio compatibility should be built in, in case you decide you want to subscribe. In a hatchback car or SUV car, the rear seat should fold flat with one or two easy maneuvers, and in larger SUVs the rear seats should slide forward and back, to optimize legroom and cargo space.

Buy a smaller engine:
Obviously this will help save gas, but there are other advantages. On most models that offer a choice of engines, you can downgrade under the hood while still splurging in the cabin. The savings can be big. The top-of-the-line Honda Accord, for example, comes standard with leather upholstery, heated seats, dual climate control, and loads of other comforts.

Skip the most expensive options:
The features that really drive up the price of a car are navigation and entertainment systems. Each can easily add $2,000 to the cost, and you often have to buy the most expensive trim line just to be eligible for these options. The GMC Acadia crossover, for instance, starts at about $31,000.you could buy a portable navigation system and a DVD player or you could just tell your kids to read a book instead of watching a movie, like kids used to do back when gas cost $1 a gallon or so. The glory days needn’t disappear totally.