Purchased new for $36000 at 5% something interest rate, is about $34000 now. I definitely entertained the idea of a "cheaper" budget vehicle but given our previous experience shelling out hundreds on repairs for used cars, this felt like the safer option. It would be upside down if I got rid of it, so would either still have the same payment for a while with a beater OR just no vehicle.

Paying for a beater in cash was not an option as no savings, & anything cheaper financed was $100, maybe $200 cheaper per month so my reasoning here was having the tradeoff of not having to deal with potential car issues. (I am open to criticism here! Haha... maybe I am just awful with cars... and now biased but despite staying on top of repairs and maintenance, they always end up screwing me)