I did forget the forester and outback. Subaru is plentyful in my area and for a good reason. Im on a budget of aprox 8-9k so its basically going to be for something that may not look so pretty but I work in a collision repair shop so most things can be fixed by myself or my buddies.

I still am gunshy of jeeps. A coworker just bought a loaded new one that came with a severe leak in the door rubber.

Not really looking to blaze trails through the woods but for something that can handle perhaps a neglected dirt road, snow or crossing a field.

Thanks for the inputs guys you are quite helpful and make lots of good points I will consider when i go shopping.