u/T20_puddlejumper

My vehicle was totaled by lightning and I'm back in the market. Unfortunately, I'm a student and on a tight budget (would like to stay $10k or less, can probably stretch to $11k pre-fees if needed. If I could find something decent for $6500 or $8000 that would be even better).

'll recycle the same question that probably gets asked here often. Here's what I'm looking for:
- reliable (most important and that's really true--I don't need anything that looks even presentable, I just need dependable)
- can go up to 75mph consistently (I'm not a speeder)
- decent leg room (I'm tall. I do have kids, but back seat is not at all a must since my spouse has a car for family driving)
- snow/inclement weather capable would be nice, but I can work with anything
- really no other requirements

Given my budget, I think the Toyota/Honda tax is going to preclude me from getting a nice car from those brands. Is that right? Have also looked at VW Jetta, Subarus, Mazda 3s, maybe older Ford Ranger but I'm VERY open to suggestions.

The two kittens have been intermittently crying for a few days. I finally was able to coax them out of the exterior hole in the house they were living in.

Mom isn't anywhere to be found (might be hiding). This is in a fenced backyard. Made an emergency run to walmart for towels, wet food, milk replacement & syringe, and water bowls. They're currently in an interior bathroom but I don't know the first thing about what to do.

In Mansfield, TX in the DFW area. Just want them to live through the night.

https://preview.redd.it/a2go6986bk4h1.png?width=1178&format=png&auto=webp&s=eac9443729485e43e7686059bed888ed10c90bb1

https://preview.redd.it/8i56jqdcbk4h1.png?width=870&format=png&auto=webp&s=94d797b956aa4fd73f5daa2126999682ca9a3822

Took my wife's 2.0 to the range for the first time. Oiled it up well.

Put 75 rounds through it (50 blazer brass, 25 critical defense).

It was shooting low, but that's probably because (I'm guessing) it has a "center hold" sight picture.

The bigger issue was that it had 9 FTFs and 2 totally dead triggers.

What gives? I'm leaving my state for 10 weeks starting next week and won't be able to ship it off for warranty work until the end of the summer. Is this just normal break-in?

Took my wife's 2.0 to the range for the first time. Oiled it up well.

Put 75 rounds through it (50 blazer brass, 25 critical defense).

It was shooting low, but that's probably because (I'm guessing) it has a "center hold" sight picture.

The bigger issue was that it had 9 FTFs and 2 totally dead triggers.

What gives? I'm leaving my state for 10 weeks starting next week and won't be able to ship it off for warranty work until the end of the summer. Is this just normal break-in?

Wondering what y'all's real-world experience has been with the EPS on a carry gun.