There's a slight difference between 20 and 70K. Somebody mentioned they just bought a new car for $14,000.Maybe affordability is in the eye of the beholder, but my recollection is that even a Honda subcompact was pushing $20k around middle Tennessee when I was car shopping last year.
That has me thinking about a new car again, as what I've been finding used is worn out or over 10K for something 5 years old and beyond the mileage warranty.
Automatics have become better than manuals in a lot of ways. For decades they have had a larger towing capacity, and with an eight or ten speed transmission they work pretty well. Of course it also costs about 5 grand when they go, but by then should have over 100K miles on them.Automatic has been standard for a very long time as many simply not good at shifting gears.
I must be the last person that likes a work truck without carpet...
I prefer carpet because it dries easier. Especially in winter you are bound to get moisture working it's way down through the cracks, and once the mats mildew it's almost impossible to get the stench out. I do put rubber mats over the carpet which are easy to take out and clean, and let the air to the carpet.