Help me pick a car

[StopStealingMyUsernames]

So had terrible luck with cars lately, bought a Discovery that's dissolving on the drive with no MOT, had to buy a cheap runabout, Seat Leon 1.9tdi MK1 for 300quid! It's ratty and the fuel gauge is optimistic (runs out at 1/4 tank, guess how I know) but goes and gets me to work, however as cars go I'm not to keen and neither is the missus, so I would like some suggestions on what to look for. Some considerations:

My absolute budget is £3000

My commute is 40 miles a day in total, mostly fast B roads with very little traffic, a lot of hills (peak district).

Where I live gets bad (for the UK) snow in the colder months.

I occasionally drive 150 miles to Birmingham, mostly motorway, I do this 3 times a month.

I have 2 dogs, German Shepherd, need to be able to get them around conveniently and safely.

I've considered a Pickup, Navara or L200, but am hearing hit and miss things about these.

So what would your recommendations be?

[StopStealingMyUsernames]

Thanks for the suggestions! Very much like the look of the Forester Outback and the Merc C220! Not overly keen on the Ford's, owned two before and whilst they were decent I kind of fancy something different for a change,

Anything to look out for on the Subarus? Turbo or non turbo?

Edited by StopStealingMyUsernames on Wednesday 17th October 13:29