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Keep looking. I used to work for Chrysler. Cruisers are (or at least were) nothing but a Dodge Neon with a different body, and the Neon does not have the best rep for reliability. If you're on a limited budget, the last thing you need is a car 15k away from spewing parts all over the road.

And the mileage vs. size ratio is completely unacceptable, IMO.

You can do better in reliability, interior space, and mileage.

"With 35k miles"...there's the rub. That was still new. The test of a car is how well it does after 100k. They all make them well enough to outlive the warranty. :P

Subarus if you can find them. I'd highly recommend the Forrester. Not a pretty car, but solid as can be. Those things will last *forever* with minimal care. The company has a strong rep, and I have to say the Subaru I owned was the least problematic car of any in my immediate family. Lots of inside space. Very comfy. The biggest unexpected repair I had was replacing an headlight. Lost it when some fool hit me....I still miss that car. Downside is that they don't get the mileage that they really should, and because they hold their value well, you aren't likely to get one very cheaply unless it's very old.

I have a 2007 Suzuki SX4 Sport hatchback now. It's smaller - a four seater w/ a hatch - but the handling is amazing. Hits corners like a BMW. It usually runs in front wheel drive, but it'll go to all wheel if traction gets dicey, and it outperforms 4x4 trucks in slippery conditions. Solid little car, they were just under 20k new, but felt more like a 30k car. And enough head/leg room for my 6'5" father in the front seat. The back seat is a bit of a joke - I wouldn't expect adults to ride back there for any length of time, low headroom and debatable leg room - but fine for kids or as a commuter car. Kids also wouldn't mind the roughness back there as much - the back seat is right over the back axle. Ever get that seat in a school bus? Yeah. Same issue, lol. But from the driver's seat, it's a great handling car with decent, if firm, ride. It's a sport suspension, not a cruising one. (Hence the great handling).

Downside to them is that the company is no longer selling new cars in the US, so it's a bit of an orphan, but you can still find ex-dealerships that will give warranty service. And parts are readily available since the car still is in production elsewhere. But because it's an "off" brand now, you can find used ones fairly cheap.

I agree on the Subaru suggestion, and Chrysler warning. We've owned our fair share of Chrysler products for experience.

We've been treated well by a few Mazdas. My fist car was a '97 Protégé that took quite a beating. We currently have a '06 Mazda6 Sedan style with the hatchback trunk that has no issues at 166k+ miles, that I think Blue Books around that Cruiser. Actually, while my husband worked in the parts department of a WV, Subaru, Mazda dealer, they were on the hunt for used Mazda6's in our year range to use as their loaner cars.

Granted, we've known the history and maintenance of both of these cars as my mom bought them brand new off the lot, and my husband has been the one maintaining the 6, if it isn't taken to the dealer. He is ASE certified, so no shade tree technician. I talked my mom into buying herself a '10 CX9 when she was car shopping in 2010, and she/we have loved it so much we just bought ourselves a '10 in January.

We found a Subaru Outback within our price range. Is 160k miles ok?

(Redbud herself) My grandpa's last outback died above 200k (not sure the exact mileage). But, he kills cars. His next vehicle was a F150. It lasted less than a year before it needed major repairs.

That said it would come down to how it was taken care of for me.

That sounds like a good deal.

I made my first car purchase last November, a 2011 Toyota Rav4 with 70k miles for 15k. Love that thing so far, only trouble it gave me was the battery died in January, but other than that it's fantastic. I hear many good things about Toyotas, might not buy a domestic ever again