New Ytest
Sign out
Bimmerpost
Login
BMW E39 5-Series Forum | 5Post.com
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read  
Go Back   BMW E39 5-Series Forum | 5Post.com > BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > General Automotive (non-BMW) Talk + Photos/Videos

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-14-2017, 10:31 AM   #1
z335is
Lieutenant
354
Rep
501
Posts

 
Drives: 2016 M3
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Newark

iTrader: (0)

Help me pick out a winter beater

Hey everyone - so I'm in the process of looking for a new winter beater and have mainly been focusing on 5dr hatchbacks as to have some degree of utility for the fam (while not breaking the bank either).

So far, I've kind of narrowed my choices down to either a 2016 Ford Fiesta hatch (~40k miles), 2016 Chevy Sonic hatch (~40k miles), or a 2008 VW GTI (~70k miles). All of the cars seem to be in very nice physical and mechanical shape, so no worries there. My heart tells me to go with the GTI (plaid seats!), but my head keeps going back to the good old VW reliability.

Any thoughts on which I should choose?

Thanks
Appreciate 0
      11-14-2017, 10:45 AM   #2
kprocivic
Lieutenant Colonel
kprocivic's Avatar
808
Rep
1,575
Posts

 
Drives: ecoboost s to the t
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: 92346

iTrader: (7)

Is the fiesta a manual?
Appreciate 0
      11-14-2017, 10:50 AM   #3
z335is
Lieutenant
354
Rep
501
Posts

 
Drives: 2016 M3
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Newark

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by kprocivic View Post
Is the fiesta a manual?
All of the above are automatics (DSG on the VW). My M3 is a MT, so I don't mind a change of pace here
Appreciate 0
      11-14-2017, 02:57 PM   #4
aerostar
Major
746
Rep
1,246
Posts

 
Drives: 2018 F80
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: NJ

iTrader: (0)

You and I have a very different view of beaters.

I was looking at cars that cost $2,000.

Lol
Appreciate 0
      11-14-2017, 03:10 PM   #5
Red Bread
Major General
United_States
4462
Rep
9,160
Posts

 
Drives: Smog machines
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Austin, TX

iTrader: (0)

Previous generation Fit would be ideal if you'd consider a manual. Fun little cars, cheap as hell to run and reasonably efficient. But just comically bad with the CVT.
Appreciate 0
      11-14-2017, 03:17 PM   #6
kprocivic
Lieutenant Colonel
kprocivic's Avatar
808
Rep
1,575
Posts

 
Drives: ecoboost s to the t
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: 92346

iTrader: (7)

Beaters don't need fixin. With that said I would stay away from a 10 year old German car. I'm partial to the fiesta, never drove the base one, only the st. The only people I see driving a sonic are well I'd rather not say. With that said you're the one footing the bill good luck.
Appreciate 0
      11-14-2017, 03:18 PM   #7
z335is
Lieutenant
354
Rep
501
Posts

 
Drives: 2016 M3
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Newark

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by aerostar View Post
You and I have a very different view of beaters.

I was looking at cars that cost $2,000.

Lol
LOL, believe me I've been down that road, and those cars always end up burning me. I figured this time, I would spend a little extra cash and get something that will last a few years. Still only looking in the 7-8k range.
Appreciate 0
      11-14-2017, 03:19 PM   #8
Hawkeye
Brigadier General
Hawkeye's Avatar
No_Country
2070
Rep
4,365
Posts

 
Drives: '07 Z4 Coupe, '21 X3, '16 GMC
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Iowa

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by aerostar View Post
You and I have a very different view of beaters.

I was looking at cars that cost $2,000.

Lol
My winter beater costs more than my BMW

Also... I think you have already made up your mind... "My heart tells me to go with the GTI (plaid seats!), but my head keeps going back to the good old VW reliability."
__________________
2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe • 6 MT • Black Saphire Metallic • PP • SP
2016 GMC Sierra SLT Z71 Premium Plus 4x4
2017 Harley StreetGlide • Denim Black • V&H Tune
2021 BMW x30i • Phytonic Blue Metallic • Fully loaded
Appreciate 0
      11-14-2017, 03:20 PM   #9
HawkeyeGeoff
Captain
HawkeyeGeoff's Avatar
United_States
263
Rep
620
Posts

 
Drives: E90 335XI MSport, S2000
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Waterford, MI

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by z335is View Post
LOL, believe me I've been down that road, and those cars always end up burning me. I figured this time, I would spend a little extra cash and get something that will last a few years. Still only looking in the 7-8k range.
Jump down the ol' Honda Rabbit Hole and find something.
Appreciate 0
      11-14-2017, 11:08 PM   #10
z335is
Lieutenant
354
Rep
501
Posts

 
Drives: 2016 M3
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Newark

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by HawkeyeGeoff View Post
Jump down the ol' Honda Rabbit Hole and find something.
Yeah that would be ideal, but it is tough (impossible?) to find a Fit that hasn't been abused for a semi-decent price.
Appreciate 0
      11-14-2017, 11:19 PM   #11
1MOREMOD
-
1MOREMOD's Avatar
United_States
11815
Rep
23,187
Posts

 
Drives: Race car->
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: check your mirrors

iTrader: (5)

Prius prius Prius
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2017, 09:01 AM   #12
HawkeyeGeoff
Captain
HawkeyeGeoff's Avatar
United_States
263
Rep
620
Posts

 
Drives: E90 335XI MSport, S2000
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Waterford, MI

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by z335is View Post
Yeah that would be ideal, but it is tough (impossible?) to find a Fit that hasn't been abused for a semi-decent price.
Doesn't have to be a fit. Honestly any Civic/Accord will do with a 4cyl. Not too much to break and VERY easy (and cheap) to work on. I could probably do a whole "tune up" including all fluids, belts, pulleys, sparks, etc in under 4 hours. Just ready to rock and roll all winter.

I'd recommend an Accord w/ 4 doors just for ease of everything. If you need it smaller, Civic.
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2017, 09:49 AM   #13
1MOREMOD
-
1MOREMOD's Avatar
United_States
11815
Rep
23,187
Posts

 
Drives: Race car->
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: check your mirrors

iTrader: (5)

Try mazda 3 also
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2017, 09:58 AM   #14
Josh (PA)
Banned
230
Rep
265
Posts

 
Drives: '11 135 vert, '13 x5, '03 e46
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Downingtown, PA

iTrader: (0)

if its a winter beater, do you not want AWD? If so the answer seems Subie Imprezza. If you want something a bit nicer, find an AWD E90 wagon.

This one fits the bill:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho....php?t=1145673
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2017, 10:09 AM   #15
Alfisti
Brigadier General
6453
Rep
3,009
Posts

 
Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (0)

AWD is one of the all time great myths. Just throw a set of Michelin X-Ice at anything and it will eat any AWD vehicle for lunch.
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2017, 10:49 AM   #16
Josh (PA)
Banned
230
Rep
265
Posts

 
Drives: '11 135 vert, '13 x5, '03 e46
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Downingtown, PA

iTrader: (0)

I too am a Snow Tire fanboi. I have Nokians on my winter beater, an e46 xiT. IMHO:
Snows + AWD > Snows + RWD+LSD >Snows + FWD> All Seasons on Anything
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2017, 10:58 AM   #17
Alfisti
Brigadier General
6453
Rep
3,009
Posts

 
Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Right so unless you live in a REALLY snowy area and/or around very steep hills, the snowies will do the job.
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2017, 11:02 AM   #18
MightyMouseTech
Major General
MightyMouseTech's Avatar
4335
Rep
6,196
Posts

 
Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Ottawa, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfisti View Post
AWD is one of the all time great myths. Just throw a set of Michelin X-Ice at anything and it will eat any AWD vehicle for lunch.
Or get a set of winter tires that don't suck.
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2017, 12:04 PM   #19
Alfisti
Brigadier General
6453
Rep
3,009
Posts

 
Drives: 2008 Saab 9-3 Combi
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Toronto, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech View Post
Or get a set of winter tires that don't suck.
What's wrong with X-Ice?
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2017, 12:07 PM   #20
MightyMouseTech
Major General
MightyMouseTech's Avatar
4335
Rep
6,196
Posts

 
Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Ottawa, Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Alfisti View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech View Post
Or get a set of winter tires that don't suck.
What's wrong with X-Ice?
Honestly, they are terrible for real winter conditions. Our dealership refuses to sell them, and we are a Michelin dealer.
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2017, 12:09 PM   #21
Uber Commuter
Lieutenant
Uber Commuter's Avatar
722
Rep
474
Posts

 
Drives: 2014 328D xDrive
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Maryland

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
GTI!!!

100% All The Way
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2017, 12:18 PM   #22
shiv.nandak
Lieutenant
271
Rep
476
Posts

 
Drives: C7 Z06, 16' M4 6MT SO
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Pittsburgh

iTrader: (0)

I drove the M4 through an entire winter including a few weeks of Canadian snow storms on Conti DWS 06 (all season) tires. No issues except getting stuck in a parking spot in 1 foot of snow. No regrets at all - i will do it again to enjoy the car all year. The car is well balanced, i enjoyed alot on empty roads

As a bonus, when trading in its worth the same as a summer only driven car
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:52 AM.




5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST