A little help from the experts
 

I hate to add yet another "what car should I get" thread, but this is a general automotive question ;)

Anyway I'm about done with school and just got a job. I am going to have a 30 mile commute (in fairly rural MN). My wife drives our vic and my 95 S10 is not up for the daily commute so with my new found wealth I've decided to get a new vehicle. I want something that #1 - has decent gas mileage and is reliable - I'll be putting on at least 60 miles a day. And #2 - something with 4wd or AWD (I realize that conflicts with #1), being I will be driving most of the way on a rural highway that can get nasty in the winter.

My thoughts have ranged from a Chevy Colorado (I like my truck) to a CRV/Rav4/Element to a Subaru.

I'm thinking something a few years old with fairly low miles (less than 50 for a foreign car, 30 for domestic).

I have not heard anything about the Colorado (I didn't realize they stopped making the S10 4X4). I've heard very few things on the rest.

What are your thoughts on those - and any other types I'm forgetting.

Get a subaru impreza wrx (low to mid 18's) or impreze wagon

CR-V. Great gas-mileage, lots of room. Or the Element even...

subaru for sure. impreza RS is peppy and AWD. WRX is very fast AWD and has a huge aftermarket. both have pretty good suspension from the factory. subaru was rated the number 1 car manufacturer last year by consumer reports in performance and reliability.

I've been thinking about the Impreza RS - the local Subaru dealer has this2000 RS - they are asking at least $1K too much IMO though.

bargain that price down. dealers always mark up used cars by at least a grand or 2. just go in and say you wont pay anything more than $12k. they're bargain with you back and forth until you come somewhere in the middle. i got 3k knocked off my used civic.

ps - thats a sweet car.

accord hybrid coupe.