I have a Subaru Outback that I love, love. It's my first grown-up car, as in - not a tin can.  Lots of cargo room, too! And great in the snow.

DH has a Wrangler. I hate driving that thing, it's too bouncy and the steering is weird. And I have to remember to wave at all the other Jeep drivers.  They are cool, but they are gas guzzlers that aren't great for road trips.

I'm sorry about the accident! 

I have my eyes on a Jeep too as my next car. I live in Northern Ontario and it fits our winters and lifestyle (backcountry camping, etc.) but the price tag... ouch! And I can't seem to find a gently used one.

I currently have an older Acura RSX. This is my baby but she is old now and almost ready for the graveyard. I love how zippy she is and I know I'll lose that with a Jeep but... it's time for me to grow up... lol.

Good luck with the shopping!

I’m glad your DH is ok. I’ve turned into a Toyota girl... had a corolla (as my first ever brand new car), currently have a Highlander, had an FJ Cruiser, and  DH has a Tacoma. I loooove how low maintenance they all have been, and reliable. 

Do you like the idea of a Jeep, or have you driven one and loved it? DH had a Jeep when we were dating and I HATED it. Tested a Grand Cherokee when I was shopping for my Highlander and I hated it too. I think their seats/design just aren’t a good for for me?

I say spend some time driving a few things you might want and see what you like.    The minute i drove my Highlander I knew it was what I wanted, even though I expected to  buy a different car 

We had a small van (nowadays would be called a SUV) back in the day and I was surprised how useful it was.  Hauling capacity for our household stuff, ideal for dogs, etc.  Nowadays I have a sedan but a year ago when i was still taking 96 yo Mom and her walker to places,  i thought about the SUV again.  If i had acreage and all that, I'd be thinking SUV..

Sorry about your car!

I drive a mini-countryman and love it!  You can get a lot of stuff in that thing - I've gotten small trees in there.  I also have chickens so haul a lot of bags of feed/bedding no problem.  It also comfortably fits 3 kids or 2 adults in the backseat no problem.

Just be careful - 80 mph is so easy to get to and you won't notice it!

I have Chevy trax. Small SVU/crossover. I live in a bad winter weather area and it goes ok in a snow. Small trunk though.   But our kids are grown and we don't transport anything 

I've always wanted and hopefully by the end of the month I will have one! I have a 2013 Mazda 3 right now. I got it cheap brand new. At the time I needed a car something to get me from point a to b. It's been great to me but it's time for a change. The Mazda needs some work. Nothing major struts etc.  My father is a mechanic and he actually needs a good gas mileage car so he is going to buy the Mazda off me. I wanted something bigger and decided f it I'm going to get my Jeep! I'm looking at 4 door wranglers between 20-24k. I've found a bunch with pretty good mileage. Around 40k I'm actually getting excited thinking about driving with doors off etc haha. 

I've always done everything on my own since i was 18 pretty much, been helping SO for almost 5 years now but, now at 34 I feel like it's time to treat myself :) 

Nissan Rogue and I love it! I actually had a 2011 one and then in 2017 I was in an accident that totaled it I was so sad, I got a 2017 Nissan Rogue that is black exterior and interior like the first one I had! I just love it because it is a good size crossover, I am doing 25.6 mpg right now which is pretty good I think! Plus it has the safety feature of the blindspot detector, but it is inside my car not on the side mirrors. Nissan isn't cheap, but it also isn't crazy expensive either. I have been in a few accidents, which I am not just saying this, but were not my fault. I was t-boned, side swiped, etc. and I never once was hurt in any of the accidents so they are extremely safe in my opinion!

Just wanted to chime in with how much does it suck to lose a car that is paid off????  Insurance does not cover the actual loss given that the value of having a good working vehicle with no payment is enormous.  I had that happen and I was a very unhappy camper!  But at least your DH is OK.  That is the most important thing.

If you are going to continue driving the SUV and this is the car that your DH will drive but then pass on in less than 2 years, have you considered getting a reasonable mileage but older used car that tends to last forever like Subaru or Volvo that you can buy outright with cash?  He can use that as a commuter for the 2 years and then see what the situation is.  At that point you might go for your dream Jeep, trade in the SUV, get another Camry, or find something completely different.  What you get right now can just be a "placeholder" to get you through this period and get DH to work.

I vote for the get you a "ME" car now and then get BS an affordable older vehicle when its time for him. Sorry to hear about the accident, how very scary, was SS15 even concerned or was he too busy banging doors at 2am?

Tough decision!  We have an Outback too and with our 2 Weims and lifestyle it fits just perfectly.  Decent gas mileage too.

My SF was a mechanic, so I spent my teen years learning how to wench. When I was in high school, kids drove Mustangs, Camaros, Chevelles, GTOs, etc. They were just cheap old cars then, and I loved racing and beating the boys at their own game. Both DH and I have owned muscle cars, and we got the Camaro SS when Chevy rereleased it a decade ago. 

That said, I love me some Toyota. I've had my Lexus for fifteen years, and never owned a car that was cheaper to drive. If you buy rather than lease and tend to keep cars for a long time, you just can't beat Japanese for reliability. Their vehicles are built to last, and not over engineered like German cars. Parts are affordable, maintenance costs low, and safety ratings are good. The Highlander SUV has great towing capability for its size. The Toyota Avalon is currently the best rated hybrid out there. My Lexus is comfy, solid in snow, handles well, floats like a dream, and has enough power to get me away from danger on a freeway without having so much I rack up tickets. I'm a bit of a leadfoot

That said, I hate shopping for cars! No matter how much research I do beforehand, I always feel pressured and overwhelmed at the dealership. I need time to fall in love, lol. There are a few cars I salivate over but will never buy, like a Lexus SUV. Gorgeous, but completely impractical for my needs. And I have a mental list of cars I would lease (Hello Audi, you bewitching beauty!) but never buy. If you've dreamt of a Jeep, maybe rent one for a week? And watch reviews on YouTube. I've known women who've owned Wranglers, but didn't keep them long. Lots of road noise, not as safe, not as many creature comforts, higher insurance. I liked the aesthetic of the Grand Cherokee about twenty years ago, but surprisingly found the back too small to comfortably hold my two big dogs. 

I love it, but I have been salivating over trucks & SUV's for my future sports and the boat we just bought - Id like to have the ability to "tow things" (RV? BOAT? SOMETHING ELSE?)

Your DH is ok!

I have a jeep compass right now and it's been awesome :)  Bought it about a year ago and haven't had any issues beyond regular wear and tear (the tires had to be replaced... lol)

Prior I had a prius, which was awesome until it's death. But it was a 2006 and lasted until just over a year ago.

One thing I would warn you about with jeeps... Depending on the model, sometimes they have transmission issues and that has to be replaced. Just a heads up.

I made ONE foray into an AWD SUV. It was a Chevy. And it the five years I had it, the entire powertrain had issues. Tranny, drive shaft, AND differential. Even the U bolts. It was ridiculous. Never again.

Audi with the Quattro package. Whatever model fits your lifestyle. 

Excellent interiors and unbelievable handing. 

I am so glad your DH is okay. If the car you have to purchase now is going to be given to BS in the near future, get something that is safe and comfortable.

 For years DAH and I only bought economy cars for commuting to work, didn't matter to us if they were comfortable or not, as long as they got good gas mileage. We are becoming automobile hoarders.

• 69 Dodge Charger R/T - PURPLE - this is my baby.
• 67 Pontiac GTO Judge - Black - This was DAH's dads car, DAH is the second owner, all original 
• 54 Chevy flatbed truck - my dads truck, it's in the process of being restored.
• 90 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 truck - Biggest lemon we have ever owned, 3 motors, 4 transmissions later, we use it for hauling wood and hay, nothing else, can't depend on the darn thing from breaking down.
• 2007 Chevy Aveo - Cheap car - this will be the GS16 car once he gets his license.
• 2004 Mustang 40th anniversary edition - DAH everyday car, I hate this car, if you have bad knees it's a nightmare to get out of.
• 2002 PT Cruiser - my everyday car.

I only ever drive GM. I know even American cars aren't fully American anymore due to outsourcing and stuff. Still no Hondas and others stuff for me. I also never had a bad luck with GM car. Even stupid Sonic was nice, just too small for our winters 

You are on the east coast, right?  If yes, get a Subaru.  Ive had an impreza sport wagon and a wrx. I miss the sport wagon.  I guess you could get the jeep with the bed to get that combo of I want a truck and I want a jeep.

Looks like lots of votes for the Subaru!  YAY for our Subaru's! 

ExH talked me into buying a Dodge Challenger I wanted, but was impractical. Mostly I think he wanted to drive it, but it was in my name so I got to keep it in the divorce. It's the only thing I am grateful to him for talking me into. Buy what you want. I love driving my car, even now 6 years later.