Parker, Sorry about the new car. glad you all are OK.

Per the original post by salmo g, and whether to buy new or not, I think it's a matter of pay now or pay later, your pick. No such thing as a cheap car, unless you buy it and park it.

All the older cars I have had required maintenance and repair continuously if I really drove them, and the newer ones didn't need the repairs, just the monthly payment.

After many years of maintaining a fleet of old GM products i sold them off and bought 2 Hondas. Now the son has the Accord '07 and wifey and I share the CRV '07 and I walk to work. Having a newer car and not driving it much is the best of both worlds.

Prolly depends on cash flow and how much you intend to drive it and how long you plan to own it.