Non-resident looking to buy an SUV - the best choice?

4. I suggest

Then use some of your cash to pay down (50% if possible) the credit card balance. Managing your debt takes precedence over any vehicle imo.

Pay off your 10k balance on credit card first... Then re-evaluate your choice on getting a car and what to get.

Why would you even carry your CC debt? this is the most expensive debt anyone can carry. If you have cash, payoff your debt first, all of it. Once you are done with that, you need to figure out what you need the car for, are you driving daily? is it for the kids? does your job require one?

If possible, try renting, it works great for me, but maybe yours is a different story.

Agree that paying off credit card debt should take priority. It's an expensive liability.

Sounds to me like you need a loan no matter what, so might as well get the car loan which should carry a much smaller interest rate than the credit card balance. The only thing with the car loan is that you have to commit to paying it off over x number of years.

I would get a car loan at like 6-8% and put the 10k towards paying off the creditcard debt as other have suggested.

Why must have AWD?

paying off that 10k credit card debt is the first thing you should do.

toyorav4me wrote: ↑ Why must have AWD?

Same reason they have large CC debt. They WANT things and spend the money, instead of saving and only spending on NEEDS.

Pay off that 10k of credit card debt first and buy 5k used Camry and call it a day.

cn_habs wrote: ↑ Pay off that 10k of credit card debt first and buy 5k used Camry and call it a day.

That's the correct option 5 that sadly wasn't listed if the car needed to at least be larger.

OP:
CUV/SUVs especially with AWD cost more to buy, more to run, more to maintain, more everything and being saddled with credit card debt at such a high interest rate means perpetual debt if you fail to pay it down which at least 3 of your options fail to do. Even option 4 which seems to most reasonable won't be if you struggle to pay off your debts because your SUV is consuming too much of your cash on fuel, maintenance and repairs. You're supposed to take these vehicles on knowing this pitfall to your wallet, some sadly don't. You're effectively maintaining vehicles that are roughly $30K and above when they were new.

You say no subcompacts, but in this money situation...I'm afraid those are your fastest ticket to returning financially in the black where you have savings and actually can spend on whatever car you want. Of nearly all cars the subcompacts cost the least in all categories associated with car ownership. I saved for at least a decade to get the car I absolutely wanted, thankful it literally fit my budget too and was in the position to fully buy it off. Should I have been in a precarious position with my finances before getting my car, I was more than willing to go for a subcompact and it helps that I've driven all of them during that time and actually liked one of them. Heck subcompact isn't even the smallest least expensive option, the city cars are actually a thing you can take advantage today that weren't available in my time all of which were at most $13K but were as low as $9999 new. If it means having savings I'd drive a Nissan Micra.

cn_habs wrote: ↑ Pay off that 10k of credit card debt first and buy 5k used Camry and call it a day.

Pay off you debts, buy beige Toyota corolla.

Thanks guys (few those) for great advices.

I’m looking to AWD non-compact SUV’s, and those only because I like and I want + need those. Not a Micra for gods sake. Let’s not debate on wants and needs anymore.

Not to mention the term ‘large’ on the cc debt size is also subjective.

I’m now clear thanks to those who have chosen to provide suggestions rather than lessons. It’s option 4.

Any make/model suggestions? I’m looking at Santa Fe?

https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5073563

The Canada Hyundai, Kia class action lawsuit states that the defect is present in the following vehicles:

2011 through 2016 Hyundai Sonatas
2013 through 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe Sports
2011 through 2015 Hyundai Tucsons
2011 through 2016 Kia Optimas
2012 through 2016 Kia Sportages

booblehead wrote: ↑ https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5073563

Thanks!

The article mentions model year 2013+, that should be 3rd generation. I think the one I should be looking at is the 2nd gen. Sure the reliability would probably be worse than a Toyota, but the mileage is better so is wear + considering a PPI.

Or, should I look at Venza’s (they’re hideous IMO)?