Looking for the Swiss army knife of cars

I need some help! I've been racking my brain trying to come up with my next car purchase, as my existing lease is about to expire. Some background. I am 35 and I am self-employed working as an IT/Engineering consultant in SE Michigan, married + 2 young girls.

I am fairly picky on what I drive. I think my biggest obsession is finding somewhat unique cars that you don't see on the road everyday (at least in MI). My toys are a Peugeot 205 GTI, Ferrari 308 GT4, and an Omni GLHS.

The weather sucks in Michigan. The roads are even worse. You almost need a monster truck just to drive around this place. Anything with a short wheelbase gets beat to death.

I'm looking for something:

- New or used
- Fun to drive (reasonably good power and handling)
- Somewhat rare
- Long enough wheel base to soak up Michigan roads
- Rear seats for 2 children
- Capable of driving in harsh(ish) weather (even if winter tires are required)
- Capable of handling bumpy roads without getting beat to death
- Prefer less than $50k, but have budget up to $80k

Some cars I have looked at are:

-Audi RS4 (B7)
-S65 AMG (W220/W221) (I suppose I could look at E63/C63 as well)
-BMW M5 (E39/E60)
-Mitsubishi Evo 9/10
-Subaru STI (all generations)
-SVT Raptor (already owned one and I miss it, hell of versatile vehicle!)
-Maserati Quattroporte
-Porsche 911 (not very kid friendly)
-GTR (already owned one, might go back)
-...even looked at a Local Motors Rally Fighter (take that MI roads!)

I really like the Evo/STI idea, but I feel I am getting too old to be seen in one of these things. Every time I pass one on the road, it is some snot nosed kid with a bunch of piercings (...damn I'm gettin old). Being shorter wheel base, they ride will be harsh and noisy.

If you could buy one car that is a compromise of all these things, what would it be?

 

Okay! Will put it on "the list".

 

Been looking at CTS-V wagons in a manual. I really like the car, but every fiber of my being won't let me buy a GM product. I'm trying hard to overcome this. I worked as a mechanic when I was younger and had some really bad experiences with GM products.

Lightguy: I'll take a look at the Toureg. I don't know much about those aside from them having some QC issues early on.

 

Haha. Yeah, they definitely require patience to own. I had to have one though. It was my first car growing up (well, not a GLHS, but a regular POS Omni).

 

Sorry. Daily 1 is a Titanium Ecoboost Flex AWD that is going off lease in two weeks. Daily 2 is a 2013 CLS550 4Matic. The wife is going to take over CLS550.


A Unimog? Michigan hasn't gotten that bad....yet.

 

I worked with GTIs in a few driver studies and I must say that they have some of the nicest interiors in the business. Probably my favorite steering wheel and loved the transmission! Time to take a look

 

Honestly, the Evo X has been at the top of my list. I like the looks over the STI. Did you own the MR or the GSR? Would you go with the twin clutch? I leased a GTR for a couple of years and got a bit bored. The performance is amazing, but it wasn't a very engaging experience.

 

There is a dealer local to me with a leftover 2013 MR with 29 miles.

Used Vehicles For Sale | MI Used dealer | Serving Detroit | Moran Mitsubishi

Need to do some research and see what the market values is for a leftover. Might be an opportunity for a good deal.

 

For some reason, I double posted. Sorry 'bout that.