Get the pay out from the insurance co. Buy a car, WITH CASH. Post on socials, let your friends know, etc and so on what you’re looking for.

It might not be new, it might have a ding or two but it’ll be yours, not the bank’s. Also your insurance premiums will be much lower than they would be on a new car. Especially with these interest rates. And the super inflated prices.

Look for an older used CRV, RAV 4, Tacoma or 4-Runner, even another Subaru. You really cannot go wrong with any of them. They’re all AWD/4WD. Just find one that’s been maintained.

If you need the “tech” parts of a newer car, just buy a new head unit. 😉

Think Granpa’s old RAV 4 or Outback that No one is using since he passed. Ask around. You’ll find something!

I’m in Colorado, so I get it. Those “needs” during blinding snow storms…🥴

We have a newer CRV now but before we had Crystal we had a ‘98 CRV we called The Beast. Bought it used, for $3000 cash and we drove Beastie all over Colorado, Utah, etc.

It was still going strong with over 300k miles when we sold it.

Anyways, we would put snow tires on the old CRV in the winter and we could get to almost anywhere, no problem.

My hubby even picked me up during a massive blizzard that shut everything down because I was stuck at work with the Camry, but “needed” to get home. It’s seriously bad out when they shut major roadways (and even side roads) down in Colorado bc of snow.

So he drove down a “closed” I-25 at 4:30 a.m. and rescued me from an uncomfortable stay at a coworker’s condo. He didn’t slide, get stuck, nothing.

In fact, we’re on the hunt for another older CRV now because it was fun to drive, cheap on gas, easy to fix and would go over these Colorado mountain passes in the winter/spring with no problem.

Get her the ring, not a new ride. Good luck. 🍀