Having 1 car instead of 2 will absolutely save money. That's why I said I'd also be looking at slightly used vehicles.

The Fit isn't really large enough for us to get 3 dogs and camping equipment inside. And it being the cheap-of-the-cheap econobox means there is a ton of wind and road noise on the highway, which is tiring.

Honda Elements are cheap (5-12k depending on mileage/year), reliable, k-series, good for dogs. Checks a lot of boxes and it's an actual box. Shit gas mileage, but everything else is fairly bulletproof.

The awd is like "awd" though right? Always fwd unless the fronts slip then the backs get some small amount of the power. I guess on the other hand it is a rare suv that has a manual.

Yeah, the system is called real time awd if you want to do some googling.

Here's a good demo video: https://youtu.be/C3aBYcLgKPw

I recommend looking at the element group classifieds on Facebook for better examples . We had a tough time finding one in the normal places.

Yeah, but is it a loud, rattly tin box like her current '15 Honda Fit? I don't want to exchange one loud, rattly tin box for a slightly larger loud, rattly tin box.

And AWD or no, not really a concern. It isn't necessary in this part of the country.

Compared to a BMW, yes.

--Ian

Yeah, that's why I'm asking about lightly used CUV/SUV, that aren't going to be quite so uninsulated and annoying to drive for distances more than just around town.

I haven't driven any of them and was curious if anyone could point me in the right direction to start with.

Cx5 is nice, a bit low on power but adequate. Forester XT is more powerful, but not necessarily more fun. I wouldn't really personally consider anything else in the class - Rav and Rogue are lame and don't get the mileage you ex9ect while also being super dull to drive, CR-V is too... CR-V-y.

To be fair, it would be temporary, so fun to drive doesn't really matter as long as it does what it needs to comfortably. I have a plan to get everything paid off in XX amount of time, but ditching the BMW that has literally seen 2200 intown miles in almost 10 months would dramatically speed up that process.

Then she has a relatively new, nice car for us to use for roadtrips, errands, hauling the dogs, camping, etc. And I can get a pure toy.

Sure. If you were asking for information/suggestions, I've driven them both (and all the others) at least up to 2017 model years and that's my opinion. :)

What I'm gathering is this really has had absolutely nothing to do with saving money and is more of an excuse to buy something. Otherwise you'd be looking at $8,000 used minivans which check the comfortable, quiet, economical, practical, roomy, and reliable boxes just fine. :2cents:

Thank you for your condescension. It has been duly noted.

Won't you just be swapping debt at that point? Why not just keep the divorce debt and your sweet BMW?

Best/fastest money savings would be sell BMW, slum it up in the Honda Fit. Buying and selling cars does not save money- tax, title, registration, DMV headache is all thrown away each time you swap cars.

Sure. But I'll save on interest as well and just piece of mind that the only debt is the mortgage. At that point, I'd probably just pay cash for a pure play car. The idea of a gnarly NC Miata keeps bouncing around in my head.

I'm know selling the BMW and keeping the Fit is the best money-wise, but it's a truly awful car to spend time in.

As every single person who is posted in this thread has said, buying new or nearly new is not about saving money, it's about satisfying your wants. Nobody is mad at you but we think the rationale you gave does not align with the conclusion you reached.

If you want a new car because you want a new car and are not afraid of taking on more debt then just say it. People would be happy to tell you what they prefer and why. Throwing a red herring in there about wanting to save money when that is not the intention just skews the search results.

Sorry about the condescension, but the incongruous line of thought led me to believe you were being dishonest with yourself. I apologize.

I can assure, if it was just boredom, I'd just trade the BMW for something else. :) Her Fit is not paid off (in case anyone was thinking that). It would be taking two car payments/insurance/taxes/maintenance to one and making the one something that better fits our needs.

Theoretically, we could get by without a car at all. I could Uber to work the days I come in, all the local grocery stores will deliver, there's a decent liquor store within walking distance, could rent a car for road trips, could Uber to Uhaul to rent a truck if I needed to haul something..........about the only thing would be getting the dogs to the vet?

So it's a bit of compromise between "fuck it, I'll keep the BMW and just pay stuff off more slowly" and "we will eat ramen for every meal to save money." I do get where you guys are coming from though.

Sell BMW and reduce all of the duplicate costs.

!!Take dogs to vet one at a time!!

So that's all I've got.

Priorities man! ;)