conflicted about my upcoming car purchase….

Okay so basically I need to get a car soon bc I’m driving the family car and there is a countdown on it rn(parents want it back).

My options:

1. Used car from ~2019 that is around $15k. Hopefully with around 60k miles and will hopefully last me like 5 years, but i might run into maintenance needs… I would rather not have that stress.

2. Used car but newer, maybe 2021-2024, probably around $20-25k. Ideally less than 20k miles. I would want a CX-30 since that’s the car I have been eyeing.

3. NEW mazda cx30. Realistically like 35k after everything I want and taxes. Higher insurance (I am 23yo). I alsoo live in LA, and tandem park/street park. If I lived somewhere where I could park without any worries I think that I would choose this option. Right now it’s 2.9% APR for three years, and i know that i would be able to pay it off by then.

SO basically I want to know what’s the smartest choice and if buying new would be stupid. This will be my biggest purchase ever and it’s stressing me out a bit.

Tysm