Definitely go with a mobile setup for your vehicle. With only an HT, you may get discouraged by the limited range and the lack of contacts. It can be REALLY frustrating not to be able to talk to anyone when you can hear them clearly. HTs are nice to have as a second radio for when you can be close in to other operators or close to the repeater. I can't advise you on the Kenwood or Yaesu, but my HT is the ICOM T-90a and love it (same features but $60-70 less expensive). Don't even bother considering one rated at anything under 5 watts. BTW my mobile unit is the ICOM V-8000. No regrets on that one either. Check the product reviews on all of these radios at www.eham.net. They are really helpful at cutting through all the marketing technospeak and claims (submersible! ferrite bar!! LED strobe!!!).