Part of what increases the vehicle cost is new technology. New headlight tech, crash avoidance, airbags( side, knee,  seat, seatbelt). These have research and engineering costs. New emissions and fuel mileage costs add up too. 

Small sample here. Bought a new 1999 Oldsmobile Alero and new 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. Both were horrible first year products.  Was able to Lemon Law the Jeep. Lost more money on the Olds. 

Test drove whatever year was the first for Ford Focus direct injection. The engine seemed nervous.  Bought a Civic (no cvt) instead. 

Wy not Infiniti or Toyota Avalons? Landcruisers make sense for security personnel transport.

Avoid the Honda Pilot trim with the ZF 9spd transmission.  Highlander would be the reliable choice. 

Are there enough repair shops to accommodate them?

Are the tires still in production?

The early units did have head gasket issues. Our 01' had plastic intake gasket shrinkage. Some Ford's had the same problem. Expensive dealer repair, cheap for do it yourself. We bought it new. Plenty of good family memories. At the time it easily beat the comparable Honda Odessey in crash protection.  I never worried…

My put of state dealer did the tax paperwork for my county. Some state County's have really high tax rates. Be sure to pay the correct fees.

Rusted, not running is about that asking price. Probably could have asked for $10k in current market.

My 5th Gen 4runner absorbs the poorly maintained Seattle Metro roads. The tech is ancient and very reliable. 

What happens when it breaks just out of warranty? When do software updates end? If the screen dies with no screen stock is the entire vehicle a throw away?

Camry.  High reliability.  Decent economy. Very safe for the kids. Big trunk. Hand it down to the 10 yr old when turning 16. Then buy something sporty. 

It seems like the headline should say Diesel Tank on Fire not Jeep on fire. Amazing the kid survived. 

How long does Mercedes promise infotainment updates to protect from malware or hackers? Is there an end date for upgrades?  Repurchase required yearly?

Cadillac should get a Colorado Zr2 inspired crossover with fine Corinthian Leather and go after the Range Rover.

If you are stuck/in a ditch with all plastic parts I'm not stopping. Any kind of tug will break the stuck vehicle. 

Is it the same sensor array that’s in the Colorado ZR2? 

1999 Oldsmobile Alero. Required new brake pads, rotors and calipers every 6k miles. After the third full replacement dealer mentioned it was the last time. Dealer mentioned new cars are not designed to be driven in the City, perhaps my wife didn’t know how to drive (dealer words). I traded the car one week later.