maintenance on a ford escape...

I really disagree here.

The ones that are falling apart are the off lease ones that some chic owned, and never had any service.

Any newer car is going to get to 100k with no problem if you stick to the service on it, even a fucking kia.

If she has 10 grand to spend, and is looking for a little girl truck type thing, then get a scion xb.

If she really needs a truck to actually tow or move around things, then get a ranger with the duratech, or the mazda clone which in my opinion looks sharper than the ranger.