For most Americans, car ownership requires a lot more than plunking down payment and flooring it. In fact, owning and operating a new vehicle in 2019 cost drivers an average of $9,282 annually, according to AAA. And if you drive 15,000 miles or more a year in a pickup truck, for example, those average figures can skyrocket to over $10,800.

But it’s not all bad news. With good driving habits, a little insurance know-how and a touch of DIY maintenance, you can put the top down and cruise your way to reduced annual costs. Click through to find out how to own a car without coughing up a fortune.