My vote would be for a Subaru of some sort - Outback or Forester. I have owned two in my lifetime and they have all been good cars. The oil consumption deal, well Subaru has been known to buy parts from the lowest bidder at times but they usually make good on isues.
That is why you stay away from the 2.2l from the late 90's early 2000 models.
If that is not fancy enough buy a Toyota - can't go wrong there but you are going to be paying a lot more for the name.