I've been looking at getting a new-to-me car for several weeks after over a year of planning and waiting. I've narrowed things down to two vehicles and now I'm at the point where I have no idea if I'm overthinking things or just wanting to choose one for the sake of choosing one (and not because the choice I'm making is actually the best choice) so I'm throwing it out here for this corner of the internet to weigh in on.
Background:
* We currently have a 2014 Corolla as our other vehicle (purchased slightly used to replace a '98 Ford). The vehicle we're replacing is a two door 2002 Civic, which is not compatible with our current toddler-having lifestyle. It's been a good little work horse but it could use some TLC at this point and we're not willing to put any more money into it for repairs. I just need it to run long enough for us to buy the new car.
* We could pay for either vehicle outright but will be partially financing through our credit union. We've done the math and the cost in interest is worth it to us. Actually we could buy either vehicle multiple times over if we were insane - we have ~$110k in our savings account.
* We have a one year old and a fifty pound dog, we have not yet decided if we're going to have a second child. I feel like this is turning into the biggest issue with this decision, but we're going to have to purchase a new vehicle before we make this decision.
The Contenders:
2015 Honda CRV, $23k Edit: EX trimline
Under 10,000 miles. 2 years left on the warranty + 4 years on the power train warranty
* This has the EX trim line, so more bells and whistles which I must admit appeal to me but my husband just considers to be more things to potentially break over time.
* I LOVE the amount of storage space it has in the back, I know this could accommodate two car seats plus the dog in the back to go visit family every few weeks. Also, in anticipation of having kids that are older than toddlers since children insist on aging, this seems like it would be a good mom-taxi kind of vehicle.
* I really enjoyed the test drive. It's a nice change from the Civic - I'm sitting up high and even compared to the other compact SUVs I drove I felt like I could see everything around me.
* I've looked around online and if we do decide to go with a CRV this particular vehicle is a good value. So now I'm stressing out hoping it doesn't sell before we've decided, which is what is sending me down the spiral of overthinking this.
2015 Honda Fit, $17k Edit: EX-L trimline
Under 10,000. Haven't asked about the warranty yet.
* This has the EX-L trim, so more bells and whistles and leather seats.
* I'm test driving this one after work so no opinions there yet. I know it will sit lower to the ground than the CRV.
* I don't think this would be able to accommodate two adults, two children, and the dog when we go visit relatives. But if we only have one child it should be fine.