Looking for a Vehicle

So I am in need of a vehicle, and I have looked at several different ones that fit my needs and wants. With this in mind, it has moved me toward several, a used Mini Cooper; small, semi-efficient and sporty, a Toyota 4Runner; utilitarian and less efficient, and Mercedes wagon; I like wagons and these come in 4matic regularly.

The Mini Cooper

 Probably the most unreasonable choice on the list currently, but hey why not... I actually went and drove one to see if I could fit into one and was surprised on the amount of room on the inside. The real issue of this car is it is a BMW product and has high maintenance needs and costs. The price of used ones are all over the map and the various needs of each vehicle is also scattered. If I decide to go this way, I would like a 6-speed (the automatics are notorious junk), non-S (the supercharged ones are also notorious junk) and in the Clubman model (I said I like wagons). Preferably in a neutral color like British Racing Green, Quicksilver, or Bright Red. Almost pulled the trigger on a Spicy Orange one, just could not do the color.

The 4Runner

I have always loved these vehicles, and this probably fits my present need the most, roomy, ok gas mileage, great for all weather, and built to go for ever. Not many available but at least they are all around the same price for the same miles and features on them. The interiors tend to go on these first, so I would have to over look that...also looked at a couple Land Cruisers by Toyota (the bigger brother of the 4runner), but the gas bill would kill my monthly budget.

Mercedes Wagon

Talking to my trusted mechanic, this was his suggestion. He advised me to stay away from Audis (love), BMWs(hate), and Saabs(owned 5 but they are getting hard to find parts for and people to work on them). The 'cedes cars go for ever with a little regular maintenance and it does have a certain class and prestige to it. I almost bought one before when I went into a Volvo XC wagon, but it was all white (outside and inside) and I had kids and dogs, so no. The problem is finding one on the market, people keep this family wagon because they go forever, so why get rid of it. They also come in almost all neutral colors like black, dark blue, dark green, and silver, never seen any in crazy colors like Spicy Orange.

Well, back to hunting...