Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

Lower end of the scale here. My MK2 FL Octavia estate is reaching the end of its life and needs replacing with something suitable for chucking muddy MTBs in with the wheels on and the crap condition roads of Shropshire. Top of the list is the Seat Altea Freetrack, £3k seems to get an '07-'09 with <80k miles, certainly better value than another Octavia or similar.

I can deal with it looking like a complete dog's dinner inside and out given the rest of it seems reasonable. Largely; big boot, 4 wheel drive, decent ride height/high profile tyres and the choice of either the 2.0 CR170 Tdi (more powerful version of my current Octavia) or more interestingly the 2.0 TSI from the Mk5 Golf GTi. Built on the same VAG platform as my Octavia so most mechanical bits are familiar.

Questions are:

1. What to look out for with the Haldex 4 wheel drive system? Generally reliable? Any weak points?
   
2. The same for the 2.0 TSI, seem to remember this engine is fairly well regarded in terms of reliability. Any particular foibles?
   
   

Other option on the list is the '03-'09 Outback 3.0, but less choice in budget.