<prompt> Human: Hoping someone can help settle a debate my husband and I are having. We need a basic car to get him to and from work about 2 miles but we will also be starting a family soon and I work about a half hour from home. We just bought a house and have no furniture so funds are tight and we dont want to go into debt.15 years ago his parents bought him a car for 500. The person they bought it from didnt care about the money and just wanted to get rid of it. It was 1994 Ford Tempo. From what he remembers, it got him to and from school in 2002 and ran fine for about 5 years until his brother wrecked it. Now, hes looking for a similar deal. He wants to spend no more than 1000 on a daily commute car that we keep for about 2 years until we save up for something else.I think thats unrealistic and we need to spend closer to 3500 to get something even somewhat reliable that we feel reasonably comfortable having kids in. Neither of us have mechanical experience. A compromise is to spend 2000, and I anticipate a ballpark of 500 to get it up to speed, but he still thinks thats too much.Is 1000 for a basic car realistic?  <response>: Bad idea. Picked up a car that seemed great for 1000 back in college. Worked for 7 days and found out it needed a new engine. Stopped worked and had to junk it. Just spend some money on a car that you know will work. 