hello all. considering i am moving to the "big city" i need to purchase a car.

my thought is a Toyota 4Runner. i know if a toyota can last in cold bay, it can last in anchorage or anywhere for that matter. i also hear that the insuance is good on them.
though by off hand chance i can't find one (or one in my price range, nothing over $15K) what else is there? i thought of a nissan xterra, but don't know much about them or how reliable they are.

i need something that i can put my bike in plus a dog, or 3 big dogs in general. i don't want a truck, an suv is more my type.

any ideas or feeling on the subject?

thanks!