Ok....before you shoot me for looking at station wagons...I AM looking at station wagons, but only because I need a winter car that will haul my drums. And also have the capability of hauling a jet ski trailer.

I am also open to SUVs, but nothing V8, american, or big and clunky. My lease on my fx35 is up, and while I love it, I want to try and keep my budget in the 14-18k range. HAS to be all wheel or RWD, no wrong-wheel-drive.

My options so far:
Subaru Outback
Nissan Murano
Audi A4 avant
Lexus IS300 sportcross
BMW 328xi wagon
BMW 540i wagon

Any other suggestions? Looking for a combination of reliability, decent gas mileage, and of course fun factor in the snow.

 

WRX wagon

 

That's a good list.
The Isuzu Rodeo/Honda Passport are very good bargains.

 

+1

 

Short wheelbase makes it bad for towing anything.

The murano has a CVT, probably not good for towing.


"fun in the snow" is relative, but I suggest you look for an older Toyota 4Runner or Nissan Pathfinder. A Jeep Cherokee is a good option, but I am not sure they age well.

Any of the german wagons are good and if you want the real tree hugger look, find a Volvo wagon.

 

Subaru Forrester XT

Properly chipped can produce 400HP.

AWD and no one will give it a second look.

Faster than a S 200???? Ouch that hurts...

Jeff

 

A4

 

nissan murano

a wagon?? ...... really?

 

AWD Element........utility,reliability and it's a Honda

 

wrx wagon is out....for being a wagon, it really has ZERO storage space.

Hadn't thought about the 4runner....I'll look into that one.

thanks for the suggestions guys...keep em coming!