Other factors in fairness are kids and medical stuff. I spent 3k fixing up a wonderful 3.5k used car - have had it for years - runs great even though 16 years old. I do want / need to buy a new car but prices seem crazy to me! Kia soul maybe as a cheap car? Everything else has puffed up to high 20s and 30s (and far far higher) - this old car costs nothing to insure - and Kia seems to have waiting lists around the block for warranty work. My old car I can have anyone work in it without warranty issues.

It made me wonder if all the required features and electronics are puffing up costs a bit?