I reccomend the Sierra too, growing up my dad had 4 or 5 different ones and I remember many trips away to the bush on the weekends, i'm looking into buying a cheap 4x4 myself as a 2nd car this year, something around 2 or 3k and will most likely buy a Sierra, but I know you mentioned it has to be auto and I dont think you will find one of them in auto.... Suzuki Vitaras on the other hand are fairly easy to find auto and have a few more luxuries like aircon etc.