New Car

Okay, I'm seriously going to need some help with this one because I'm completely naive about shopping for cars.

So basically, I've decided that even though my current cruddy car is still running, I'd like to buy either a new or a new-to-you car sometime soon before my car blows up on the side of the interstate.

Anyway, to any car experts, could you please share with me your expertise?

I don't mind springing for a new car or sinking low for a used, but I'd like to stay somewhere under $20k.

Current car:
Make: Ford
Model: Taurus SES
Mileage: 136k

My criteria:
4 cylinder
4/AWD
Auto transmission

 

I would recommend a Ford Fusion AWD.

I have an 07 Fusion AWD and I absolutely love it. It's a V6 and has just the right amount of speed and fuel efficiency. It may or may not come in a V4, I'm not sure. And the AWD system is really helpful in rough weather.

I got mine, used with 12,000 miles, for around $14,000 USD.

I'm not sure how much they normally go for, but I think most can be found for around or under 20k.

 

Where I live, people can sometimes make due with FWD cars, but when winter comes, it'd be nice to have a car that's reliable and won't go slip and slide down a hill (or, in my case, mountain).

I'm hoping to get a car between '08 and '12 due to the fact that '08 isn't old enough to be considered a crap car and '12 isn't young enough to evaporate my entire savings account.

 

I have a Toyota Prius, 2005 model. It runs well for me (currently I am getting , on average, 45 MPG). I prefer cars of certain foreign manufacturer over any American manufacturer. From what I understand, Toyota vehicles have longer lasting engines than other American manufacturers. I purchased mine on craigslist for $5000 (used and visually stunning, adorned with dents from mostly the previous owner). Judging from what you have said so far, you live in a mountainous area and are used to a AWD vehicle. This probably will not work well with a Prius, since you may need more power. Cars.com shows the price of the 2012 Prius to be $12,000 to $21,000. This is pretty much my opinion, so do not make a judgement call on this. Perhaps you know some people knowledgeable on this subject.

2005 Toyota Prius
125,000 miles
(Avg.) 45 MPG

Mileage seems to improve if it is just driven in town, thanks to hybrid system.

 

Cannot believe I missed your criteria from your first post. Sorry about that. I am not sure what size you are looking, if you want a strictly car sized vehicle, or if you would end up looking for something bigger. I say this since my mom has a Honda Ridgeline and she is please with it. Unfortunetly, it is a midsized truck and the price of it can easily exceed $20k , unless it is a used 2008 used model for $12k. Sorry, but cannot really think of anything else.