I never really did the GMRS thing, from what I understand you still need a licence to operate those bands.
Here is a type accepted MURS VHF radio. Inexpensive and legal way is doing it right. No licence required.
I know many that off-road and use MURS bands. For car-to-car coms, you really don't need much and its a huge improvement over CB.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...RC7F9EI2&psc=1