Vehicle Purchase advice, experience, suggestions

[Anonymous]

I am currently working on paying down debt, rebuilding credit, etc. I have a 2003 Toyota Camry with over 221,000 miles on it. It is paid for (yay!), has never left me on the side of the road. It has been a fantastic car.

My purpose for this post it to ask for advice, suggestions, etc. for what my next vehicle should be so that I am knowledgeable and prepared when the time comes. I hope to get at least another year out of mine, but with that many miles and the fact I currently commute to work every day (50 miles to work, 50 miles home), ya never know.

(I also hope to move to the town I work in by summer of next year)

Information useful to help with recommendations:

Price

$30,000 per year AGI, so cannot afford luxury vehicle

Space and MPG 

            I often am the “driver” for events with family, friends, & kids so I originally wanted a small/midsize SUV that offered an optional third row seat. From the little looking I have done, I was discouraged seeing the tiny amount of space for the third row and close to zero space for items (shopping bags, etc.) in that area when third row is in use

            Would like space to carry kids & adults comfortably with sufficient storage space

            I need great gas mileage! 1) I am currently commuting 100 miles a day and 2) even when I no longer commute, I am confident I will travel 100-150 on the weekends for family and friends

Safety

            Being a mom, I want to feel like my vehicle could keep us as safe as possible should an accident occur

Other

I am not really picky about “extras” since I know price increases with these. BUT, one thing I am funny about is interior dash lights (radio, gauges, etc.) I cannot stand orange or red interior lights. I don't know why but they bother my eyes. I have a recurrent corneal erosion – maybe that's why it bothers them? I don't know.

I have previously owned a Honda Accord and was very happy with that car.

What about Hybrid vehicles? Does anyone have experience or recommendations?

Thanks in advance!!

[SamsungHDTV]

I currently drive a 2013 Honda Accord Sedan. Love it. What is your price point? If it helps you, I purchased my accord brand new for $25,700. My payments are $395/72 months. However, it wasn't the base model and I had very few add ons.

MPG:

I get 27-29 MPG on street/highway,and 35+ MPG highway depending on how fast I am going, but no less than 35. This is my actual MPG that the vehicle calculates, not the stated MGP on the sticker. I have also done the math on miles driven and how much gas i pump and its pretty accurate. Remember, this is non-hybrid 4 cyclinder.

SPACE:

I don't know if it will meet your space requirement. Will seat 5 comfortably. Driver, passenger, 3 in the back seat. Trunk is huge in my opinion. I fit my road bike in there, but I do have to take off the front wheel of my bike and put down the back seats. But still, for me not having to use a bike rack is a huge win for space.

SAFETY:

I haven't looked into the safety aspect of it. I'm generally a safe driver and I think accords are well made. I'll let you look this one up.

OTHER:

Mine has a blue interior abient light. I think its a good color, but I hardly notice it. Also comes in hybrid, however, it might be out of your price point. I love the extra features that mine come with though - rear camera, blind spot camera, LCD screen, push to start, smart entry.

Hope this helps, let me know if I can answer any other questions about my car.