I spent 3 years looking for a car my grandfather would approve of after he left me money

Chris Astrella drove four hours to buy a car.

It saved him thousands, and he'd do it again.

Chris Astrella Chris Astrella researched cars for three years before landing on the perfect hybrid.

He nearly bought a Hyundai Tucson — but had to walk away.

He drove four hours to buy the perfect car.

The drive saved him $4,000.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Chris Astrella, a recent car buyer in Las Vegas, Nevada.

It has been edited for length and clarity.

When my grandfather died, he left money for all of his grandchildren.

I knew I would eventually need a new vehicle, so I put $25,000 of what he left me in the bank and decided I would use it toward a car.

It took me three years to figure out what I would buy.

I've owned nine vehicles in my life — but this was the first time I walked into the car-buying experience without knowing what I truly wanted.

I built a spreadsheet with about 25 vehicles, including everything from a Ford Maverick hybrid and a Hyundai Tucson Hybrid, to a Toyota Venza, and even a gently used Lexus UX .

The only thing I knew was that I needed a hybrid.