Toyota Stn waggon great choice I have used them since they came out to N Z in the seventies Super reliable and relatively cheap 2nd hand. Just the car for any outdoor minded person, Need all the room for my various activities. Glad you did not go down the VW road. Seen too many lemons including my mate's Passat that had everything going wrong and at one of its breakdowns on a fishing trip to Murupara he had an offer by some local patched pros to take it into the forest and burn it for an insurance job. My mate is too honest and did not take up the offer. Mind you he was tempted.
I now use a trailer as I can no longer lift my 4.3 onto the roof rack. Best thing I ever did as there is no way of avoiding salt drips that slowly eats your asset.
Good luck
Rainbow