A lot of this is due to: 1. Getting annoyed at the things that have stopped working with my car (no airbags is...stressful on I5). 2. Off-roading in the central cascades and wanting something that can take me to some slightly more remote trailheads. I've started looking into Edmunds and looking in to the bank thing, they pre-approve for a 30-day period and it seems easy to get a good rate considering the last time I was in they asked if I wanted to go through that process right then and there. 6) is great, I haven't thought much about that point, especially driving multiple of the same car. What was the $9500 car and what was the $32000 car? I have no intention on buying on day one. I have a car that runs, and am not in dire need of a vehicle. It's the same thing with a job, right? The best time to look is when you don't need one.
This http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/cto/5770492878.html And this http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/5769693887.html Will get you most places and run forever both are manual though and get 20MPG. I really like the CX-5 over the Rav or the CRV (way more comfortable) http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/5770583250.html 19k for a full loaded 2014 is a good deal if the title is clean (The guy mistyped the VIn thats a Zero not an o btw). The crosstrek is a great car but expensive and doesn't depreciate fast enough in this area.
The issue with manual is I currently have only driven a manual twice. And not at all within the past five years. I'm interested in learning, but not sure if buying a manual and learning is the best route to take.
I HIGHLY support kb's Crosstrek suggestion. If I weren't an exclusive GM guy, I definitely would have considered that when I got a new car earlier this year. I don't think there's anything else quite like it on the road. And it looks like even brand new they're available from the low $20k's. SHoudl definitely check one out.
The Trax and Equinox are the two that Chevy make. I've driven both. Neither blows me away aesthetically, but both are decent to drive (and definitely you get a lot for your money). But GM is definitely more of a big SUV type of company (the Escalade will make you never want to drive another car ever).
"off-roading" is a very different task than "going up forest service roads." My advice on jeeping is that most people underestimate the utility of "very low weight." I've been in 38" mud tire bombers and I've been in Suzuki Samurais and dollars to donuts, the Samurai will get you more places with less drama. Especially when you're 'froadin' with buddies 'cuz three people can pick up the back end of a 2000lb car and put it somewhere else. Realistically speaking, a Subaru Crosstrek will get you most of the places you want to go unless you're stunting. The $9200 car was a then-seven-year-old Dodge Stealth and the $32k car was a 3-year-old Cadillac CTS4 coupe.
I got my 05 Altima out 15 miles up the service road a couple weekends ago, but I had to turn back because loose rocks dont work great with 2 WD and no traction control and I really didnt want to get stuck that far out. The thing is you can get out pretty far out in most vehicles in Washington state if you push them to the limit but there is also a piece of mind factor from having extra margin that's nice to have. That can be mitigated by not going alone but that's a luxury that you dont always have.