I’d look for a used eureka a-frame. You should be able to find them for super cheap and they are lightweight. Just buy some nikwax spray on waterproofing for the fly to bolster it a bit (you can use it to restore your other gear’s waterproofing too).
RIP Eureka. I mostly car camp and have camped my whole life. I bought my first Eureka tent in 1989. The waterproofing on the fly is failing but it is still a fantastic tent. I took an inexpensive 3 person REI tent on an 8 week cross country car camping trip, and it performed better than anticipated in a variety of conditions. I currently camp with my partner and 2 Golden Retrievers in an 8 person Eureka ans it is the bomb. Plenty of room to stand in and the two dogs have plenty of room.
Over time your needs might change, so buy a quality tent that meets your current needs but you don’t need to break the bank.
You're not dramatic.
I worked for an outfitter and we slept the listed capacity in the Eureka A-frames. When they call it a 6 person tent- they mean 6 bodies, there is space for 6 sleeping bags but thats it. When I guided trips the rule was you got your sleeping bags and a water bottle in the tent. Gear was stored outside under a tarp.
I have an LL Bean 6 person dome tent. I take it by myself. I take a cot and sometimes if its raining ill even move my chair in there.
If your campground camping. Walmart big, comforterable not hateful to setup. The poles won't bend if you look at them funny. It'll be fine. If it breaks just remember you saved $300 when you bought it and get yourself another 4 bedroom 2.5bath tent. Walk the couple isles over and get yourself a nice air mattress with all that money you saved.
Really though, Walmart is the buy it first if it doesn't work the way you want buy something nicer when it's time. You're not worried about weight, your worried about quality. REI is great when it's time to be invested into a hobby. But Walmart will get you to enjoying it.
If youre still not convinced and want to part with more of your money. Eureka makes a damn good tent for what you're trying to do. Specifically the a frame, however it doesn't have great airflow, you gotta point it towarda the wind. Read the reviews, there will be guys saying they've camped for 20 years with the first one. My dad regularly camped for 10 with his.
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