You Totaled Your Car. What Are You Replacing It With?

If you had to replace your car right now, what would you choose and how much car could you afford?

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Photo: Mark Ralston (Getty Images)

It’s a scary thought but at some point most of us will have to replace our cars. Whether it’s because of an accident that results in total loss or a catastrophic breakdown, we’ll have to replace a beloved daily with a new one. In that case, what model would you replace your current car with?

Keep in mind that the car market is bonkers and our dollars don’t go quite as far as they did a few years ago. Used models are pricier than ever while new cars keep coming in at average prices that seemingly go up every year. The average price of a new car is almost $48,000, while the average price of a used car was about $26,500 in the latest reports from Cox Automotive.

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And it’s not like we’re in the midst of the global pandemic when car values were a bit higher. That would’ve worked out in favor of some of us, since it means more money back in a total loss. Even so, more money after a crash won’t always cover a replacement. Not in this market, anyway. The cheapest car you can own is the one you have right now, but if you didn’t have it anymore, what car would/could you get?