*sigh* Orange...no really

So wifela has always wanted a classic mustang convertible. When the latest body style of the new mustang came out she agreed it was good enough, and better since it was DD practical. Finally last spring I got her an 05 Convertible, 6cyl 5 speed. This replaced her 01 GMC Jimmy.

After living through the summer with it she has decided its a great toy but not a practical DD. Since I drive the smart it leaves us without a bigger car and she's ready to move on. I'd give her hell but since I have never owned a car long enough to need re inspection I cant talk.

So I ask what she wants. Something suv-ish. And Orange.....yeah thats right, my main shopping criteria is orange....and a budget of about 13k

So far we've toyed with 2003 Xterras - available in orange She saw and likes the Jeep compass (available in orange but probably not in the price range and not real high on my list)

Seriously, Ive never had to shop based on color, She likes late model LR discoverys and I didnt even think they were available in orange until another GRMer (thanks Sonic) told me of a limited edition 04 in orange. So really Im just reaching out, what suv (ish) vehicles from about 2002-2006 came in orange, preferably a vibrant orange but the darker metallic oranges might work too.

or all decked out

Or the exact opposite: reliable as an anvil, and a poseur off road

Wranglers have that darker metallic orange available.

I gotta level with ya... thats pretty sucky criteria

Not so good off-road but berkeleying sweet otherwise:

Sonic, I showed her the G4, i thought the bluish side stripes would loose her but she loves it. Please, Im hoping she forgets the element exists....so far she hasnt remembered it.

Audi wagon rules my world...she hates all things wagon, and I'd like something that could tow a trailer so I can sell my old beater truck and not pay insurance on 3 cars.

Of course its sucky criteria, I married a non-car chic, this is my torture and hell. I dont think Ive every even considered color when buying a car personally.

Wranglers are generally holding their value and I require it be a 4 door (yes new 4 door wranger and all, but its over the price limit)

The Element is actually quite a nice car. Very practical and versatile as well as being much better looking inside than out.

Great gas mileage and Honda reliable. My son has one.

I liked them when they first came out, they are ok little cars. But if we're going down the ute road again then it will hopefully replace her mustang and my beater f350 which means it should be able to tow a minimum of 5000 lbs comfortably....

Nissan Murano's came in Orange

That really stinks. IMHO, very few cars look good in orange (Camaros in Hugger Orange come to mind)

I know! get her some contacts that tint everything orange! then you won't have to deal with the horrendousness (no offense to anyone who likes orange cars)

mw wrote: Nissan Murano's came in Orange

and rarely sell around 13k with less than 60k miles. Kinda not built for towing either. But they've been looked at, just missing too many targets.

The Pontiac Vibe (a good choice) was available in this GM color.

The Pontiac Aztek (a bad choice) may have come in this color too.

jrw1621 wrote: The Pontiac Vibe (a good choice) was available in this GM color. The Pontiac Aztek (a bad choice) may have come in this color too.

again, lack of towing capability....well and the aztek....is an aztek

I will add these as well in hopes that the Orange part is more important than the SUV part.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1976-BMW-2002-COUPE_W0QQitemZ120322937212QQihZ002QQcategoryZ42601QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-2002-1972-rare-Inka-Orange-Not-Tii-Classic_W0QQitemZ120322479040QQihZ002QQcategoryZ42601QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-Datsun-240Z-Coupe-VERY-NICE-ORIGINAL-EXAMPLE_W0QQitemZ270293676756QQihZ017QQcategoryZ6187QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The moral here is that some cars look better in orange than others.

Orange is berkeleying hot. Get a Discovery and get it painted.

2006 GTO came in Orange (Brazen Orange Metallic) and with 400HP/400TQ it will tow no problem!

Sadly no, the SUV part is equal with the orange part, and she's even passed on some "cute ute" options as she has at least learned the value of having a real working vehicle if you are going to own something of this natures.

East Coast, she actually is diggin the disco enought to forego the orange. Found a G4 (special edition disco in orange) worthy of consideration if I can sell her mustang outright, so I may go down that path. Leave it to her to be in love with a vehicle of which there were only 200 produced.

An orange Judge? Sorry, just got back from "Sex Drive"

Would she be interested in a retired Dept of Transportation truck? It seems to me that you should be able to source a F-150 with rubber flooring and a bench seat that was factory painted in "Highway Orange"

This may be one of those tests to see how willing you are to try to find something for her that's "just right". In that case, the fact that you were willing to entertain her desires will win you many wifela points. I'm just sayin'.

Good luck on your quest!

Ford Samples:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=252774279&dealer_id=1394648&car_year=2004&model=SPORTTRAC&num_records=25&systime=&make3=FORD&make2=FORD&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=48&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&model3=EXPEDI&model2=EXPLOR&color2=&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=FORD&keywords_display=&color=ORANGE&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&body_style=SUV&body_style=TRUCKS&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceDESC&address=44870&advanced=y&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=&max_price=20000&cardist=462

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=253046469&dealer_id=15490588&car_year=2002&model=SPORTTRAC&num_records=25&systime=&make3=FORD&make2=FORD&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=48&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&model3=EXPEDI&model2=EXPLOR&color2=&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=FORD&keywords_display=&color=ORANGE&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&body_style=SUV&body_style=TRUCKS&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceDESC&address=44870&advanced=y&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=&max_price=20000&cardist=2036

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=248440886&dealer_id=100009858&car_year=2007&model=SPORTTRAC&num_records=25&systime=&make3=FORD&make2=FORD&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=48&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=both&distance=0&marketZipError=false&model3=EXPEDI&model2=EXPLOR&color2=&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=FORD&keywords_display=&color=ORANGE&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&body_style=SUV&body_style=TRUCKS&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=2&sort_type=priceDESC&address=44870&advanced=y&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=&max_price=20000&cardist=1365

This really isn't helping is it?

MitchellC wrote: This really isn't helping is it?

I bet that could be made to tow and carry extra passengers (maybe on the trailer?) with a little ingenuity.

Tell ya what - gimme the loaner for a month and I'll work on it.

That gets my vote, but then I'm a bit partial to the wee-bitty Brit cars. Having had to LR discoveries I can say without reservation, look elsewhere!

You still have some orange Rustoleum left over from the BABE Mustang, don't you? What's the problem?

Seriously, a co-worker just bought an orange Xterra. They really like it and it seems pretty nice as far as SUVs go. Dunno about towing, though.