[1990C4S]

I have my 996 '8 Month Car', I need something for December to end of March. I am working/living in Michigan, and I drive 'home' every couple of weeks, that's 400 miles once a month through a real snow belt.

I was looking at a Cayenne, but sitting in it, it just feels too big. I'm sure I could get used to it. I'm not terribly worried about fuel cost, but I also don't want a V10 Expedition. If I bought a Cayenne I would be happy (I think) with the V6.

The (maybe) wants:

- AWD would be nice, but not required, I'm quite happy with four snow tires, I don't think I need 4WD
- I do want a quiet highway cruiser, I don't want a droning loud vehicle.
- For work reasons I would prefer not to drive a Japanese car, but it's not a deal-breaker.
- I would prefer a manual transmission, again, not a deal-breaker.
- A wagon would also be 'nice', I carry a lot of crap

My budget is around $10k, I've 'looked' at Audi (Quattro and non), V6 Cayenne's, Buick SUV (I almost fit the Buick age demographic), Subaru (does not excite me). Infiniti/Lexus SUV. Mercedes wagon, Saab, etc.

I do ALL my own repairs, not too worried about maintaining a car, but it does need to be reliable, I don't have a back-up car with me now.

Worst case I spend some money on my VW TDI (ALH). It's boring but reliable, super economical, and very good in snow when equipped with four snow tires. But I've driven a TDI for ten years now, might be time to change.

What have I missed?