$20k to spend on car , what to get ?

Apr 28, 2019 53 Comments

Family of 3 needs another car , this will be second car - mostly for
traveling between Kirkland and Seattle.

Other car is a 2009 Ford Escape with 120k miles , i service it often so works great. Don’t need 4WD

Only want to spend $20k, happy with older used model.

Concerns: safety, long term ware and tear, enough room for little kids (sports equipment), and big for tall people.
Also no sedans - im very tall and low to the ground gets me a bit motion sick.


Suggestions appreciated!

TC: $310k Seattle

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TOP 53 Comments
  • Mazda 3 sedan
    Apr 28, 2019 4
    • And don’t take hatch if you have kids who need stroller - won’t fit in there
      Apr 28, 2019
    • Adobe / Eng
      KauaiSun1

      Go to company page Adobe Eng

      KauaiSun1
      Totally agree. I have an almost-7-year-old Mazda 3 I purchased brand new in August 2012. Runs like a top. I maintain it meticulously and have had no issues. I have the SkyActiv engine, so it’s great for mileage.

      I’ve got 110,000 miles on mine - daily commute and we never take my husband’s car anywhere - and it still drives wonderfully. My mechanic said it takes at least 60K miles to break in a Honda or Toyota and the same is true for Mazda; they just don’t get as much love as both brands.

      Personally, I feel Mazda has more soul than Honda or Toyota when it comes to the driving experience.
      Apr 28, 2019
  • Lightly used CX-5
    Apr 28, 2019 0
  • Google
    Locomoti

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    Locomoti
    VW GTI
    Apr 28, 2019 0
  • Northrop Grumman / Eng
    CzrI13

    Go to company page Northrop Grumman Eng

    BIO
    Recent graduate engineer
    CzrI13
    I don't want to sound rude, but given your TC are cars just not something you personally like spending much on (which I totally understand) or is cost of living in Seattle just that high? I'm a naive East coaster and I'm genuinely curious.

    Also, Mazda CX-5 or late model Volvo XC60
    Apr 29, 2019 6
    • New
      B.Cassidy

      Go to company page New

      B.Cassidy
      Simply stated, traditional advice assumes 10% of your annual income = the out the door price of the car you can afford. At $310k, buying $31k of cars is what's affordable. 2x $20k cars is already stretching.
      Apr 29, 2019
    • Hey thanks for question - it’s definitely a trying to live modestly. Right now I’m making 310TC but I’m saving up to meet my retirement , 529 goals (college expected to cost 300k in 18 years) while also saving for my second home. I’m sticking to about 10% base salary for car (20k).
      Apr 30, 2019
  • Dropbox
    ☕️☕️☕️

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    ☕️☕️☕️
    Subaru Forester. Should be able to get one only a few years old, MSRP for base model new is $24k.
    Apr 28, 2019 5
    • New
      eyhvu

      New

      eyhvu
      Important to buy Subaru with EyrSight for safety
      Apr 29, 2019
    • Ford
      UVyz23

      Go to company page Ford

      UVyz23
      Unless you are a master at checking your oil every few days I could never recommend a boxer motor (whats found in subarus and porsches) I would honestly looking at an Explorer or an F150 you know you want a truck deep down this is America after all.
      May 1, 2019