If a truck chassis is not a must, check out the Subaru Forerster and Outback first. Best car-based AWD in the buisness under 35K. But get an '03 or later. Avoid the 99-02 2.5i models.....head gasket issues. And avoid waiting for the 2009 Forester.....it looks like it will be seriously cheapened.

If a truck chassis IS a must, first check out the Toyota 4Runner. Tough as nails. With proper maintenance, will stand up to almost anything you will ever give it. If you can find a used Lexus GX470 for 20K or closer, it is the same basic vehicle as the 4Runner with more trim and equipment, so it will be more likely to have the heated seats you want.

If none of these appeal to you, we can go from there. Keep in find, though, that truck-based SUV's are usually more uncomfortable to drive on pavement than car-based ones, and don't handle as well.

 

If he's buying used, depreciation isn't a problem, it's a feature.

But he should avoid it anyway just because it's a POS.

 

Ground clearence? Thats what the Outback is for. Wagons FTW.

And we got hit pretty hard here yesterday and I didn't have any troubles with lack of ground clearence in my Legacy.