I have a '03V70T5 and it has been the most reliable vehicle I have owned. I also have a '00 BMWZ3 and it has not been near as reliable..... The Z has the hood up most weekends (or up on stands) to check, replace, clean or adjust something. I do all my own maintenace on the Z since the warranty ran out and I didn't feel like paying the BMW Stealer prices or putting up with their 'tude. BMW parts are VERY EXPENSIVE, and so is the Stealer service. If I were you I would find a good used '01-'03 V70T or T5 with low miles and maintenance records, or a new '04 V70. My V70T5 with stability control handles great in the snow and other nasty weather, I don't think you would want or need AWD (just more thing to go wrong IMHO).

p.s. My old Mercedes wagon was traded in for the V70 after it emptied my walet once too many.