My wife is hard on vehicles. What vehicle with some ground clearance?

I vote element, I'm not sure why but I like them. And the doors, seats, tailgate are all neat

mtn wrote: Our money, not hers. So that won't fly.

Yeah, well enjoy fixing the replacement. she'll still hit parking bollards, other cars and run it onto curbs knocking the alignment out.

Fell out of the UGLY tree and hit every branch on the way down!!!

Chadeux wrote: I vote Honda Crossour. It's literally an Accord with a lift kit, and that's exactly what it drives like. Also available in Acura flavor, if you the Honda flavor isn't ugly enough for you. EDIT: Ignore all of this, Missed the $5k budget, fairly certain these aren't anywhere near that cheap yet.

Subaru Outback

Another vote for the Lexus RX-series. Incredibly reliable, comfortable appliances.

Miata is not the answer!

CX-5

NGTD wrote: Subaru Outback

This was my first thought. Or a Forester.

In reply to NGTD:

Regarding the ugly: Yes, luckily the inside is pretty decent. The one I'm used too has the tan leather and fake wood to accent the ugly greyness of the outside. It's definitely an appliance, sort of like a weird oval shaped fridge with chrome accents.

For robust suspension you can't really beat a solid front axle Jeep, use LT tires, if XJ upgrade to the heavier Grand Cherokee tie rod.

Honda Element with all the grey plastic cladding. No more need for paint matching! (I hope).