I'm waiting for Subaru to come out with a turbo-diesel Legacy wagon. Audi is winning races with its turbo-diesel engines, and you can drive from Vancouver to Calgary on one tank of diesel. Plus Subaru only makes all-wheel-drive cars, and most of the cars you see parked at hiking trailheads and cross-country ski areas are Subarus.

The current Subaru Legacy with 2.5L gasoline boxer engine is pretty poor on gas economy, though (about 25 mpg highway on mine). But any Subaru built in or after 2000 handles every bit as well as a 3-series BMW (I had a girlfriend with a 320). (current gf drives a Subaru Outback and is even more enthusiastic about Subarus than I am.)

The downside is you probably don't need AWD in San Diego... But put me on a snow-covered road in my Legacy (with no chains) and I'll guarantee I can get wherever I'm going. It will certainly out-handle any SUV in these conditions.

- L.