Which car should I buy? Help!

I'm looking to buy a used car and don't know where to start. My last car was a Chevy Silverado extended cab with the 8 foot box (my work necessitated it), which was a BOAT. I never quite learned to deal with the size while parking it and backing up and such, and I hit two parked cars in 6 months. That, along with some other factors, are the reason for the change. I've defined some criteria for what I'm looking for:

-It must be a sedan and seat at least 4

-It must be a manual transmission

-It must offer AWD. This one is the most important, and the reason I decided to ask for advice on a forum. I understand not all AWD are made the same and some handle better than others in snow, but the dealers and car companies don't tell you that. I live in the Northeast, so I need something that won't leave me stranded any time there's snowfall

-MPG and dependability are always a plus!!

-My budget is $7,000

Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated

Okay, it seems you want utility AWD - that is, for bad weather and rough roads. I suggest look to Subaru.

Many other AWD/manual shift cars are designed for superior on-road performance, and not specifically intended for bad weather and rough roads. They are generally higher-end cars, most likely either out of your price range, or in poor condition.