Anonymous wrote:I think you'll regret not having two cars but your first option is not great. I'd go back to the drawing board, personally. Keep the Outback for now. Eleven years is really not that old--how many miles? I agree with PP get another Subaru, maybe a used Forrester.

Financing a relatively pricey car to be constrained as a one-car family doesn't make a lot of sense.

Anonymous wrote:We're a one-car family of four with a dog and we're at a decision point. There is conflict (both internal and spousal) over whether to [1] keep our existing Outback for out-of-town trips and add the Bolt for in-town driving (errands, school) or, alternatively, [2] trade-in the Outback and purchase (financed) the Rav4 as our only car. There is lagging confidence in the Outback as still being the every-day car I remember it as, so it looks like we're going to be making a car purchase in a few days.

Option 1 has the benefit of enabling us to have, for now, two cars as our external obligations are growing and the logistics are getting more tenuous. The Outback is starting to require more frequent/expensive maintenance and will, even with a lighter burden, be disposed of in a few years. The downside is that we're not crazy about the Bolt and don't like being in one of the smaller cars on the road. Also extra insurance etc.

Option 2 has the benefit of us buying a car that I do very much like. Even with the trade-in value, its a more expensive lift with a likely interest rate/monthly payment far in excess of what I have ever paid. This will be financed purchase as we have a larger expense on the horizon, and I want to preserve my liquidity for that purchase. Beyond financial, having one car does not alleviate the scheduling burden of needing to get each kid to different places at the same time.

Any thoughts on which option to pursue?