"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.