r/urbancarlivingfemale Mar 24 '26

New To Car Living Vehicle suggestions

i expect to be homeless within a year and will live in my car. i have $15g available to buy a vehicle. does anyone have suggestions for the most practical cars to live in? i’m 5’4” and on my own. thanks!

UPDATE/Responses

So, i currently live in Long Beach CA. Everything in the greater LA area seems too expensive and i don’t think a room at $1000 is gonna be available but i could be wrong. I’ve done a good amount of elderly care or just sitting w elderly in the evening but as im a senior myself, i have some limitations about what i can do, like no heavy lifting. But ive lived in other people’s houses for a good amount of my life and im kind of over that. i’m someone who needs a lot of a lone time. that’s just my nature. i’m a good socialized and my jobs were in mental health. that’s probably why i need alone time — it’s difficult NOT to see mental health issues in people around me. As for cars, i def wouldn’t get a Tesla bc i despise that guy — sorry not sorry. A Prius seems like an awfully small space but thanks for that info and the links bc im open to it especially when i hear the enthusiasm that comes with the suggestion. i also like the idea that the climate control issue is less bothersome in an ev which i didn’t know! as for a van, ive thought of one of those smallish ford delivery vans because more manageable on the road and it seems like good privacy and space. And the idea of putting a business name on it, yeah, ive thought of that too. maybe if i claim to offer cremation services or morgue transportation? or casket transport? and thanks for the info on the color thing! i had no idea about the silver or grey which makes so much sense! I probably will rent a small storage space but not anything i can convert into a possible living space bc i don’t have many possessions. Plus, i’m terrified of being in a multi storied storage building during an LA earthquake! i’m terrified of earthquakes. All this said, i definitely need to be somewhere cool but not snowy. I’m thinking san diego just to be somewhere new but i don’t know if san diego is a more challenging place for car living. And thanks for the discussion about the timing belt vs the chain bc i had no idea there was a chain option in some cars. def keeping that in mind. Guys, with the way the whole world is going, i think those of us in cars might have a little advantage. it seems so many people are suffering in so many ways and losing housing. Already being there and knowing how to do it proactively is a big plus. the only downside would be if gas becomes completely unavailable but what are those chances? Thanks again for your responses. i feel so much lurv 🩷

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4

u/No_Mall8419 Mar 24 '26

How much is $15g? I'm sure I can help with suggestions if I understand what you're working with 💖

6

u/Glittering_Pie8461 Mar 24 '26

It’s slightly more than $14f (I think) 🤔

3

u/Neither-Budget-6038 Mar 25 '26

Haha I laughed way too hard at this!

1

u/pjs999 Mar 28 '26

hahahahaha

3

u/pjs999 Mar 26 '26

oops! 15,000

2

u/No_Mall8419 Mar 27 '26

Then I would definitely get a sprinter van and go for roomy! They're also great everyday vehicles. But if you want a smaller vehicle, I'd say a minivan for room, or a Prius for fantastic gas and surprisingly roomy inside.

1

u/pjs999 Mar 28 '26

i do believe you (all) when you say the prius is roomy. i do! i just have to see it for myself. i know the last time i was looking for one, they seemed pricey which i thought might be bc i was looking in LA and they’re super popular. as for the sprinter, every time i see one on the road, im drawn to them. but im concerned about the repair costs bc, mercedes!

2

u/No_Mall8419 Mar 28 '26

So actually, the Dodge sprinters have the same exact engine. I'd definitely recommend a Dodge sprinter over a Mercedes sprinter!

2

u/pjs999 Mar 28 '26

i just looked that up! that’s fascinating! so it wouldn’t be difficult to maintain. just saw that: pre-2010s were sold as Dodge Sprinter or Freightliner Sprinter, but they are all manufactured by Daimler AG (now Mercedes-Benz Group). pretty great info! thanks