Vehicle recommendations humbly solicited
My car is dead. Like, super dead. Suddenly. It was an older Honda Cr-v (small SUV). It got terrible mileage (22 highway) but was otherwise an awesome car, and these are the things I loved about it:
- AWD: I live where it gets stupidly, dangerously snowy and icy about 4 months a year
- Cargo space: I don't always haul stuff, but about half a dozen times a year I load it up and drive anywhere from 20 to 300 miles
- Reliability... at least until it died :/
- Hauling ability: I loaded it up pretty heavy sometimes. I suppose I could buy a small trailer if I had a smaller vehicle, because I would only use it every couple of months.
- Space on the top for big-ass kayaks: flatwater; they're 15-20 feet long; honestly, they'll go on anything but a bigger roof is a lot easier
Most of my driving is within an hour of where I live (so about 60 miles). Probably 3/4 is just around my small town. However, about every week or two I drive about 100-150 miles away for weekends, and a few times a year I take longer trips.
I don't need fancy things; even power windows are optional for me; I need a heater in winter and A/C in summer (that part is optional but quite nice). I strongly want to avoid anything with a subscription service, required internet connection, AI-enabled bullshit, etc. No remote overrides, no telemetry sent to satellites, etc. if at all possible.
Price: I'm not a wealthy human. I'm definitely looking at used, definitely under $20,000, and closer to $10,000 would give me some breathing space; I don't love the idea of emptying my savings (what there is of it) for a car, if I have other options. I'd rather not finance it, but that's a remote possibility.
I strongly value reliability and repairability; this gives me pause on things like BMWs (though I don't know the parts/repair situation). I've been a Honda/Toyota buyer for years, because their cars were generally a safe bet for reliability and longevity, but I realize that landscape is different, now, especially for EVs.
Oh, and no Teslas. That brand has non-financial costs I'm not willing to pay.
Any recommendations, given my restrictive situation?