Hamfag here. True story. Baofengs are cheap chinky shit but they work. Get an 8w model for max reach with a hand held. If you're paranoid program it manually. CHIRP is preferable means of programming.
I like Yaesu. But spendy-er. Digital modes. Cross-band repeating on some mobile units. Easy to modify the mobile FTM-400 to remove the resistor that prevents transmission on the MARS (GMRS) channels. Should limit GMRS transmissions to 5w unless you're in the sticks or SHTF scenario. Requires FCC license to transmit >5w or 0.5w on the shared FRS frequencies. Read the wiki.