re: What's a practical amount to spend on a vehicle for a family of 3 IYO?

Yeah, this question should be strictly based on your financial situation, all of them from 5-150k do the same job: Get you and the kiddo from point A to point B. It's just a matter of how fast and and how comfortable it is in doing it. Some rich people don't give a shite about luxury cars, and some poor people leverage the shite out of themselves to drive something they shouldn't. Personal choice in how much those things matter to you, and how much you can comfortably afford.