Help me pick out 2 cars

DH and I are starting to window shop for cars and I'd love some feedback. We probably won't buy until about October.

Our budget for financing is about 15k (before financing) and we hope to have about 15k worth of trade in, down payment and negotiation, putting our total budget at 30k max.

I'm leaning towards 2 sedans right now but I do like the idea of a hatchback. My only concern though is projectiles flying into the seating area in an accident. Is that a valid concern? What is/can be done about that?

I also have concerns about buying a Toyota right now. I'm just not sure I trust it. Thoughts?

Car 1 will be used as a family car. Car 2 will mainly be used as a commuting car (although the commute is about 10-15 min one way) but will be used as a backup family car on occasion.

Our requirements for car 1 are:
2008 or newer
less than 20k miles
max $20k
4 doors
good iihs ratings in all categories
reliable car that will last a long time with proper maintenance
easy to maintain (our dodge stratus is not easy to maintain at all)
good gas mileage. it doesn't have to be amazing, but good.
car seat friendly - radian and TFP compatible would be great

Our requirements for car 2 are:
2005 or newer
less than 50k miles
max $10k
4 doors
good iihs ratings in all categories
reliable and easy to maintain
decent gas mileage (this is mainly a drive 10 min to work every day car)
car seat friendly - radian and TFP compatible would be great

I really like my Focus. It gets good gas mileage, in the mid 30's, with better ratings on newer models. As far as hatchback issues, mine has a hard, formed cover that is very substantial covering the rear area. It's removable if you need to haul something bigger, but is very well attached, so I'm very comfortable with it. I've never installed a TFP in it, but I've never had a problem with any seat I have tried. Here's a pic of dd's RN with ~30* recline install: http://www.car-seat.org/showthread.php?t=121950 . It comes with a 100K mile powertrain warranty, so you've got good coverage there. My mom had one that had about 90K miles on when she got rid of it, and it still drove good. Didn't have that about to fall apart feeling. Anyway, there are my thoughts on one of your many options.

Beck - I saw you were considering a Sonata for one of your new cars. While Ithink it's an awesome choice, GREAT safety ratings, I have the Kia version, it's a little different, but essentially a clone, and it's incompatible with the radian SuperLatch when rearfacing. I don't know if the newer sonata models have the same issue...it's really a "perfect storm" combination of very soft fluffy, compressible seats, latch anchors that stick out pretty far, that really low RF beltpath inthe radian, and the fact taht the SL lkatch connectors are SO long..they end up right at the edge of the beltpath, such that the latch strapp has to make a 90 degree turn directly into the beltpath..and of course, with it being perpendicular to the adjuster, it therefore wont stay tight, because it needs to be parallel. That is what happened in my car. You might be able to use the seat belt.

Well, I'm a Honda fan, so that's going to be my first suggestion, of course:

1998 Honda Accord should be under $20k, especially the lower trim levels. Aim for LX or LX-P. EX might go a little above depending on condition, but if you don't want the moonroof and a few other little things, no biggie. Good gas mileage, impressive power for its class, and if you're used to driving a Dodge Stratus, you'll think you just got a luxury car. Sorry, I really can't stand driving domestic vehicles. Unless you want a muscle car - then its American all the way. lol

check out http://www.edmunds.com/honda/accord/2008/review.html

For the other car, if its not going to have the whole crew in it as often, check out Honda Civic - I'm on my third, and will be getting either another Civic or Accord to replace it soon (well, unless the Mazda5 finally wins the argument in my head). Great gas mileage, easy maintenance, and owning a Honda means having a car that doesn't depreciate as quickly as other brands. Oh - and my favorite feature of Honda: Can't beat Honda power steering.

My other suggestion would be a Mazda 5 - not sure on the gas mileage, but its not bad, I don't think. I just love the feature of having 3 rows of seats in a car not much longer than my tiny Civic - and having doors that slide open like a minivan. Just not sure I trust the longevity of Mazda the way I can with Honda. But those would be my suggestions.

Not sure how I feel about Toyota - I lean towards figuring they had a bad period and only that b/c they've been putting out awesome cars for years. Though I've never owned one b/c the initial purchase cost has always been too much for me.

I'd still consider Toyotas. They still make quality products, even tho they're in the news currently. It's not like the other brands don't have recalls or haven't done extremely shady things. Even the luxury brands. In law school, the textbooks stopped using Ford as an example and used BMW cuz they had a more recent case.