Two wagon possibilities …
If you can live without AWD, the last version of the Honda Accord Wagon (no longer sold in US) is very nice:
http://auto.consumerguide.com/Auto/Used/reviews/full/index.cfm/id/2048/Act/UsedCarReviewShowAll/
OR, if the family and the dogs are small/med, I have one of these and the value can NOT be beat – 1998-2001 Saturn SW2 wagon: Super reliable, sleek, up to nearly 40 mpg (65mph on flat highway, conservative driving – I got 34 at 70mph with a sea kayak and a fat SOT), good fun power (0-60 in 8.7), handles nice, and super affordable.
OR, if you truly need AWD, maybe the CRV or a Hybrid Toyota Highlander or Hybird Ford Escape. Wagons are better for loading kayaks, though, of course.
Bad weight distribution with FWD "truck"
If there’s much weight in the bed, a front-drive truck will not be loaded properly for either traction or handling.
See, there actually is a reason why trucks are RWD “default” (with part-time 4WD an option). It’s not just a marketing gimmick.
Yep, and check under the carpeting, too
After the pseudo-blizzard that hit coastal southern New England in 1978, I was shopping around for a used car. Found a Dodge Dart/Aspen that looked good on the outside. Being the suspicious person I am, I was on the lookout for signs of ocean flooding inside, and I found it. Under the carpeting there was a distinct white salt line, like ring-around-the-bathtub.
Toyota had a huge head-gasket problem
From late 1989 through the early 90’s, the V6 head gaskets were BAD. It was not a matter of if, but when they would blow. Toyota issued a “campaign” (not the same as a true recall), under which owners received anywhere from 0 to 100% of the amount to get the gaskets replaced.
My '92 was in that enormous batch with bad head gaskets. It never blew, because I took it in just before it reached 50K miles–the gaskets typically blew somewhere above that.
ALL makes have had problems. It’s a gamble, no matter what. The important thing was that my “defective” truck was fixable/fixed, and I got plenty of use from it. I sold it at 13 years of age with no regrets. Better to buy a vehicle that fits your needs and get any problems fixed (within reason!) than to buy something allegedly more reliable that just doesn’t do what you want it to.
Toyota Tacoma 187,000 and Counting
Pretty much just routine maintenance so far.
Mazda and Suzuki are both underrated
…and overlooked.
I’ve owned one of each and they were reliable, well-built, and inexpensive.
Downside: not many dealerships.
Camry wagon?
that would be a worthwhile little wagon