I don't think lease will work for you either unless it's for your wife....but you still have payments there. So, you might as well finance something. I managed to get an '03 Nissan Frontier truck for about $10k with 47,000 miles on it just a few weeks ago. It's the 4cyl, I averaged 23mpg on my first tank (city driving), I think they get 28mpg highway. With your kind of cash down payment, you'd end up with a very, very low car payment, probably lower than leasing. A Ranger would probably be in the same ballpark (no room for passengers though).
Chevy Cobalts aren't a great car, but they are cheap and get very good gas mileage. I was getting about 30mpg combined on the one I had (4cyl). You should be able to find a lower mileage one for about $10k.
Oh! Dh found a '05 Dodge Magnum for $10k, 70k miles. I guess we only buy cars that cost $10k, lol. That's pretty much our limit. He loves that Magnum for his commute, and you can fit lots of people/things in it. It gets pretty good gas mileage for it's size, and is peppy (he has the 3.5 V6).
Chevy Cobalts aren't a great car, but they are cheap and get very good gas mileage. I was getting about 30mpg combined on the one I had (4cyl). You should be able to find a lower mileage one for about $10k.
Oh! Dh found a '05 Dodge Magnum for $10k, 70k miles. I guess we only buy cars that cost $10k, lol. That's pretty much our limit. He loves that Magnum for his commute, and you can fit lots of people/things in it. It gets pretty good gas mileage for it's size, and is peppy (he has the 3.5 V6).