We used our 2004 Jeep Liberty for 8 full-timing years. It gave us lots of entertainment and fun and we never had a major repair on it.
Since you're in the west you would make good use of a Jeep. :)
I'm not sure of the year they were discontinued and replaced by the Jeep Cherokee - probably around 2010 - but if you can find a later year I'd highly recommend it. It tows beautifully and simply.