So I’m probably one of the most knowledgeable and most passionate when it comes to cars. I’ve grown up with a family who works in the car industry all of my life. So my first car was a 2008 Ford Fusion SE with just a little bit over 100k. It had a few problems, it started rusting, had some wheel rash, a CD was stuck in it so every time you tried to start the car it would make a really bad noise. But it drove fine. I ended up selling that and getting a 2016 Ford Focus SE for 5k. It had 82k on it when I first bought it and now it has 93k. The car is fine except a huge problem - it’s an automatic Focus meaning it has the transmission problem. My gears are reluctant to change, even when I put it in S and shift it manually, and for example, when I take off from a green light and accelerate, it just shifts really bad. For a 2016 vehicle this should not be happening. I’m not putting anymore money into that car to fix it.
So I’ve been looking on the used car markets for some used cars. I’d like an SUV at least this time, something like an older Escape. Something not expensive but reliable, with a touchscreen too. Looking to spend around 15k. Let me know your opinions on what I should get!