I am going to have to back up the pp who said to look at the second hand Volvo wagons. I am from a Volvo family, and my younger brother drove his 1976 into the ground at 685,000 kms, and has just bought a 1982 which runs like a dream with 450,000kms. My mom recently bought a 1995 wagon for $2800. It easily fits 2 large car seats and a Graco Turbobooster across the back. If you keep your eyes open, an older Volvo or even a Passat wagon can be very affordable and safe. the 1976 had lap-shoulder belts in the back seat, unlike, say a 1992 Jimmy.
Corollas are small. My DH can't even get in them.
We really dislike everything about SUVs unless you actually need one for, you know, 4x4ing, hauling trailers and stuff. Of course, we have recently begun looking at lower middle class affordable cars and here are my observations, coming from someone who carries 2 car seats with her to every test drive. I like big cars. At 6'4" and 300 lbs, DH likes to drive big cars. I just like to be able to sit comfortably, and I am 5'11".
1. the Ford Focus is way too small. I could not sit in the back comfortably at all.
2. A mid-90's Grand Marquis or Ford Crown Victoria will run you about $3500 and it is like driving a couch. 2 seats and my rear end across the back? No problem. Trunk space galore, and the one we are considering buying gets about 20mpg.
3. I only like minivans slightly more than SUVs. This probably stems from the time my aunt t-boned a minivan and it flipped 3 times. That, and every minivan I have ever been in has been a gutless wonder. I know the new ones are better, but I detest driving, and cannot imagine myself going that far into debt for something I cannot stand. If we have more than 3 kids, ok.
I have to stop ranting...
in conclusion, check out
edmunds to browse at cars. It will tell you about how much you can expect to pay and they rate the cars.
