Help me figure out what I should buy
So right now I have a 2021 ram 1500 classic (single cab 8 foot bed v6) that’s currently in the shop getting repaired because some impatient moron couldn’t wait 2 seconds behind me and ran into the back corner of it trying to pass at a busy intersection.
I was already planning to get rid of it because I moved further away from work recently to a nice neighborhood and the thing was killing me on gas. Driving about 40 mins each way to work. In the morning I go the highway and on the way home to avoid traffic I go down the back roads.
I currently owe right around 7k on it and I’ve gotten appraisals for it between 17k to 19k to sell/ trade it. I don’t foresee the accident killing its value since it was purely cosmetic damage, no structural damage, it’s just getting the side panel of the bed replaced.
I’m not really sure what to buy though, I’d love something that’s more fuel efficient since I’m driving further for work, and I’d also love to lower my payment a bit. Was originally planning to keep it until I paid it off but gas is now 4.60 a gallon where I live and that thing cost 120$ to fill the tank once a week.
My mind defaulted to something like a Toyota Corolla for fuel efficiency and reliability but I’m 6’4” tall and I don’t think that’ll work out. I currently have a Malibu as a rental car and I barely fit in it leg room wise. Seat all the way down and back and my knees still damn near hit the steering wheel.
I want something that’s going to be fuel efficient, and reliable.
I’m thinking of just buying something new again since my intentions are to keep it for 10 years. The maintenance part of it isn’t really an issue because I’m a mechanic and do my own maintenance (unless it’s brand new I do work right down the street from a auto mall so dropping it off for service in the morning and picking it up on the way home is no big deal either). I preface that with I’m not an auto mechanic though I’m a diesel mechanic, not exactly the same but a lot of it translates over for basic preventive maintenance.
Budget 30k. I don’t plan on putting all of the equity of the trade into a down payment as I just had to spend 5 grand in moving cost so I’m probably going to use about 4-5k down and hope to walk away with a check for 4-5k.
Suggest away, my current considerations are a Chevy trax and a Mazda cx50. Although the Mazda is really pushing the budget, they are really nice cars though.