They also are becoming very collectable

I'd go for the GT3 because of the stick, but I don't really think you could go wrong with any of them!

Parker I'm a big fan of your photography and don't mean any offense whatsoever, but I'm gonna call it like I see it. None of the cars you mentioned would be a particularly good first car unless you are willing to sacrifice fuel economy, insurance, and lots of time for maintenance (trust me about this on used German cars - we have four of them). Out of the ones you listed, I'd be inclined to go for a manual-equipped XTerra, but the fuel economy is pretty dismal for a V6. Personally I think something like a 2007 or so Subaru Legacy Wagon (or Outback, or whatever they called it), because it has off-road chops and is pretty reliable. Fuel economy isn't the greatest, but it does have AWD, so that kind of compensates for the lack of fuel economy.

Thanks Nick for the advise. I completely understand where you are coming from with German insurance and maintence. You told me how you had all those used Audis and was talking to my dad about how expensive that must be for you guys. Therefore, Im thinking the chances of my getting an X5 is low. It is slightly off all my criteria anyways. The Xterra is really nice and I like the design, it is the interior that makes me hold back. Extreamly behind the other models. That is how the Touraeg came into the picture with its long list of great features. Personally, I would rather sacrifice insurance over fuel economy. But a manual X-Terrawould be fun and just like the jeep we have so I am definitely going to look for good deals. Also, it is interesting how you listed a Subaru because I have actually been looking at them, I just can't pick out a model I really like except for the BR-Z. Lol. But a lot of my family has Subarus and talk very highly of them so maybe I get one from them at a goof deal. I'll let you know. A Subaru would be great!

X5 also takes premium gas....

How about a Subaru Forester? You can get it with a manual, fuel economy is pretty decent, its reliable, safe, and its a Subie so you can mod the cr*p out of it easily!

My aunt had one and it broke down on her on the interstate like 3 times so ehh not sure

She could have gotten a lemon. My brother has a Mazda RX-8, which is the biggest piece of sh*t we've ever owned (also the most unreliable, amusingly enough given our car history), but I've heard of other people having absolutely no problems at all.

Most likely was a lemon, Subaru is kinda known for reliability.

I think it depends on how well you take care of the car. VW/Audi products aren't exactly known for reliability, but we take care of ours, and they take care of us (*knock on wood*). You can't just buy a Honda or Toyota and drive it into the ground, yet expect that it's going to be perfectly reliable despite the abuse it takes. Of course, I think there are lemons out there; my dad has talked several extended family members into VWs, and they either keep buying VWs, or vow that they won't ever get caught dead in a VW again.

We had a Lemon Volvo s70. Terrible car.

Here's my dads new Range Rover Sport Supercharged AutoBiography. Arrived yesterday 3 weeks later then expected. Was held up at the port in Baltimore because of a lug nut recall, then was not loaded onto the transport truck along with another vehicle headed to the same dealer. The it arrived with no heated windshield, which was a key feature my dad had ordered so the dealer is looking into retrofitting it. However its finally here!

Nice car. We are looking at a getting a Range Rover do you like that car?

Yes, such an improvement over the last sport. So much space. Seems a lot larger on the inside then it looks. And its quite loud.

I'd say look for a good 996 GT3.