Forester purchase

[PositronicRay]

Early stages but I'll be looking for a workhorse, up to £6k workhorse with the following criteria.

Petrol, 5 door, reasonable ground clearance, dogs, cope with tracks, tough, 4-5k per annum, home maintenance, reasonable running costs, comfort more important than cosmetics.

Am I on the right track? Are the autos OK? Any major pitfalls? Anything else I should consider? Ability more important than 4wd

[PositronicRay]

Thanks chaps.