<prompt> Human: Ive owned used cars my whole life. As someone who is technically minded Ive saved countless thousands of dollars by doing repairs myself. Seems Ive paid for that luck after I over-paid 6000 for a lemon last October and its been a financial nightmare since. After putting an additional 5000 into the car I found out yesterday that the motor is shot. A 6000 repair, and Ive had it. It doesnt seem responsible to keep putting money into a15 year old car.Ive decided to unload the thing to a wrecker for 3000 and start fresh. Here is my personal situation. I have toddler a wife and in September my second child will be born. The lemon i bought was supposed to be a responsible decision. A safe, family friendly, reliable Subaru. Much different from my previous assortment of campers, off-road vehicles and sports cars.So now Im confronted with the issue of choosing a new vehicle. Options.Financially responsible:5000 Isuzu SUVWell maintained but 20 years old.No safety features, questionably reliability, hard on gas. But can pay for it right away.Best for the family:New car purchaseSubaru Forester 35,0000.5 interest,410moSafe, reliable, fuel efficient. But hard for me to afford the payments with a second child on the way.For context, I am afraid of debt and hate having my mobility reduced in life. But this seems to be a a circumstance on which I can tolerate it because ultimately after working for 5 days a week I want to spend my weekends on adventures with my family, not in the garage under a vehicle.Am I being irrational? Is car debt worth making sacrifices for? Is safety and reliability a marketing ploy from auto manufacturers to make new Fathers like me feel irresponsible for buying a used car?  <response>: There has to be some middle ground between a 20 year old car and a brand new one. 