ummmmm wranglers are super reliable as well as almost every jeep. Now with that said if you drive it like an ass and try to mud in a stock jeep you WILL destroy it.

buy an older jeep their a shit ton better. 1982ish cj7 or something

 

LOL

The only way you can get a reliable jeep is a 4.0 wrangler with a stick.

I'd stick with cars if you want a DD. A clean somewhat older civic with a motor swap (b-series) would be great for you

 

i dd a 98 grand cherokee 5.2L that i picked up in mint condition for cheap with 90k on it.
put 20k on it in the last 1.5 yrs and the only issue i've had is the wonderful notorious waterpump.
other than that she's been to hell and back. wheeled everywhere, been stuck, slammed on rocks,hit, you name it. still holding up without an issue and the leather interior with heated seats and a stock nice system makes the ride great.

I'd get a wrx though. fun ass car to dirve and a 02-03 can be had for in your budget.
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1672005

 

Eh, the auto trans on the 4.0 Wranglers and Cherokees isn't too bad, but yes, a 4.0 MT Wrangler will outlast Stonehenge.

My sister drove a 4.0 stick Cherokee for years, changing the oil maybe every 10-12k, conventional dino oil, nothing special. When she got rid of it, I think it had 361,000 on the clock.


But yeah, Honda.

I kinda like the Focus though, it's a fun car, but I don't think I'd actually take one over a Civic hatch.