So we looked at lightly used or well cared for versions of the vehicles y’all recommended. Fortunately, the General had already bought the well ventilated wagon
because the Mrs. is still offended Dodge put the name of her first car on a station wagon. She would not have been amused if I bought that derby car candidate. (Aren’t crossovers just hatch back wagons or mini mini vans with some curb appeal and clearance? Don’t tell her if I am right.)
The Mazda CRV was nice. So were the same basic size and shape Toyota, Fords and Kia’s. The Kia Seltos, Sorento and Sportage were built from a lot of the same parts, and it looks like all the above, (and Hyundai) had the same designers that did not care about a big blind spot while looking cool.
The Soul was fun and roomy, but she decided AWD and some clearance was a good idea, and there was not enough room in the back for a kennel crate or agility equipment with the rear seats up. Snd I found several people willing to sell ther beloved Souls because they needed more cargo room.
The 4-Runner and Grand Cherokee are darn nice, but bigger than she wants to run around town in. And they are in a higher price bracket.
So-
We are taking a chance on a furrin car, a metallic red with black interior Sportage, first titled in Dec 2018 with less than 15K miles on it now. It has a direct gas injected NA 4 cylinder engine, six speed auto, a locking center diff, and an infotainment system that is hopefully more useful than a distraction. AND, there is room to get to the engine, and battery. It was a rental, so with the rental company maintenance and rest of the warranty, she should be set without new car payments.
I went to save pictures and send the vin to the insurance agents, and they had the site updated. I’ll take a pic when it is the wind is not blowing at 65+ mph.