Learn Me: Fun VW/Audis in the $10k range

After watching a few episodes of "This vs That" featuring the IROZ Motorsports RS3, I got kinda interested in the current state of VWAG's motor lineup and what else out there might be a real fun car, reliable, on a budget ...and haul a family of 4 with a weeks worth of luggage and outdoor stuff, while getting decent fuel economy. 

I need: 

- Bigger, good at cruising 80MPH for long stints while sipping fuel. Honestly, even getting 25MPG at those speeds would be acceptable. 

- Can be lifted, or fitted with skids plates for offroad (gravel) travel (not neccesary, though)

- Good distance between rear seatbacks and front seats. I don't need legroom, I need enough room that kiddo won't be putting her feet on my head like in the Fit. 

Questions:

- There does not seem to be a big selection of 2010+ VWAG Wagons. I can find the Jetta Wagon, and a Audi Wagon thats more like a sportback. 

- What 2010+ Wagons from VWAG were offered with AWD?

- Do I need to worry about relaibility of any motors made in the last 10 years? 

pheller said:

- Do I need to worry about reliability of any motors made in the last 10 years? 

YES.

The 2.0T in the B8-B8.5 A4 and all of the A3's is a total turd of a motor with super low-tension piston rings that turn it into an oil eating nightmare. It also has a timing belt and timing chain, and has problems with both.

I would personally go B7 A4 Avant at that budget. The 2.0T in it is much more robust.

What's the model year range for the B7 A4 Avant?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2903782516574405/

How about an Allroad, cheaper buy in and spend a bit of the savings on maintenance and an APR tune.  Already has air ride suspension, skid plates, and pretty darned good soft road capability.

'06-'08 2.0t were good, just keep the timing belt up to date and change the cam follower every 30k miles.  The '09-'12 motors had the high oil consumption/ring issues some of which were repaired under warranty.  Best bang for the buck are the earlier years with K04 upgraded turbo.

Find the nicest 2.5 gas Jetta wagon you can. No turbo to deal with.

Don't forget the Tiguan; it's basically a lifted B6 Passat wagon. Not sure if it's the good or bad version of the 2.0 Turbo, though.

There are 2 options

1) a TDI manual wagon

2) a picture of any other vw/Audi wagon and burn $10,000 as it'll be less frustrating in the long run then ownership would be. 

GTI or a B6 S4 manual

Don't get the 2000-2004 allroad unless you're a glutton for punishment. They're the most maintenance intensive Audi made in quite awhile.

The B7 A4 2.0T's had an oil consumption issue as well, usually it was the rings.  Most of them should've been fixed by now but make sure it has.  Also make sure the cam follower for the high pressure fuel pump was replaced regularly.  Other than that, that's the one I'd get.

Sounds like you want a subaru crosstrek.