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      01-10-2016, 11:52 PM   #23
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Subaru 2.5rs awesome little car.
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      01-10-2016, 11:57 PM   #24
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Forget the small suv idea. They don't weigh enough and float on the snow. 4wd doesn't work if you're to light to dig down into the snow. I'd look at a 2001-2004 Grand Cherokee Limited V8 and add Michelin LTX AT tires or similar. 31" I had this combo on my 1995 GC and had better traction than the snow plows. No problems cruising at 50 mph in 6" snow.
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      01-11-2016, 12:44 AM   #25
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Originally Posted by Fundguy1 View Post
Forget the small suv idea. They don't weigh enough and float on the snow. 4wd doesn't work if you're to light to dig down into the snow. I'd look at a 2001-2004 Grand Cherokee Limited V8 and add Michelin LTX AT tires or similar. 31" I had this combo on my 1995 GC and had better traction than the snow plows. No problems cruising at 50 mph in 6" snow.
Michelin LTX are fantastic tires. I have them on my old Explorer.
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      01-11-2016, 06:53 AM   #26
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Michelin LTX are fantastic tires. I have them on my old Explorer.
Agreed. Make sure you get AT not MT. Guessing there's something better by now as its 10 yrs later but I haven't looked.
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      01-11-2016, 09:05 AM   #27
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For going up to the mountains, a small SUV or a wagon would probably make the most sense.

We had a 4 runner for ever, yes, it ran great, but the 4WD system was pretty poor. Even got pulled out of a snow-bank one time by a subaru. After that, we bought subarus. That said, whatever you end up with, get winter tires on it, like blizzaks or something similar. I had performance tires on my WRX and it was terrible in the snow, yet snow tires on a mediocre car can make it pretty damn good in the snow and ice. I'd worry a little less about the ultimate AWD system and a little more about getting the proper tires on there, based on my experience with winter tires.

I bought a merc 320 from a few years back as a winter car, put studded tires on it (I live up north), it was outstanding in the snow, the awd system and balance were better than my current x-drive bmw, which is not bad, but the mercedes was much better.
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      01-11-2016, 10:54 AM   #28
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I've always wanted a 9-2x as a winter beater
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      01-11-2016, 10:59 AM   #29
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If you want anything halfway decent for that money, you can forget most of the stuff people in here are mentioning. I'd buy an old 4.0 Jeep Cherokee and be done with it. Basic, cheap, capable, and reliable as dirt.
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      01-11-2016, 11:33 AM   #30
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For $6k I bought a manual E90 2006 330XI as a winter car. Perfect! Can't stand driving SUV's. Really wanted a wagon, but the wagon tax made them much more.
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      01-11-2016, 11:40 AM   #31
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Wagon tax? I like the Cherokee idea. Basically the same idea as mine with the GC but cheaper and less creature comfort. Both have solid axles so both would also make great off road part time vehicles too. I'd look at GC 96-98, 2001-2004 and newer cherokees, previous body style of course.
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      01-11-2016, 12:37 PM   #32
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Uber :P.

In all seriousness a subaru would be best small and awd.
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      01-11-2016, 01:46 PM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fundguy1 View Post
Wagon tax? I like the Cherokee idea. Basically the same idea as mine with the GC but cheaper and less creature comfort. Both have solid axles so both would also make great off road part time vehicles too. I'd look at GC 96-98, 2001-2004 and newer cherokees, previous body style of course.
Wagon versions of the same car are always a couple grand more.
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      01-11-2016, 03:57 PM   #34
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Honestly....

I was in the same boat with a 4 - 5k budget.

Picked up a 2004 VW Passat Wagon 4Motion.

ITS A TANK!!! (Lots of space, good luxury (for the age) and will probably last forever).

It's built on the same generation Audi A6 platform, so it's basically a bargain Audi.

Find a 1.8T and you'll have better gas milage and power, I bought a 2.8L V6.

The rare option (and purist choice) is the Passat W8. A rare motor with 300hp in the passat. Has a decent amount of issues, but nothing beats the rarity and performance.

With your budget, a new body style or less milage would be right up your ally. You won't be disappointed.



EDIT:

Or get a Subaru Legacy

Last edited by 3GFX; 01-11-2016 at 06:04 PM..
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      01-11-2016, 11:27 PM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3GFX View Post
Honestly....

I was in the same boat with a 4 - 5k budget.

Picked up a 2004 VW Passat Wagon 4Motion.

ITS A TANK!!! (Lots of space, good luxury (for the age) and will probably last forever).

It's built on the same generation Audi A6 platform, so it's basically a bargain Audi.

Find a 1.8T and you'll have better gas milage and power, I bought a 2.8L V6.

The rare option (and purist choice) is the Passat W8. A rare motor with 300hp in the passat. Has a decent amount of issues, but nothing beats the rarity and performance.

With your budget, a new body style or less milage would be right up your ally. You won't be disappointed.
And if you ever have to replace the starter or some belts, the entire front end of the car has to come off.

Number 1 reason I didn't get an audi from that era.
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      01-12-2016, 08:33 AM   #36
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Originally Posted by FriskyDingo View Post
If you want anything halfway decent for that money, you can forget most of the stuff people in here are mentioning.
Agree with this, as a "beater" I would be looking for functional, cheap initial price, cheap to maintain and cheap to repair. I am assuming purpose is to get to the mountains to ski and back and virtually nothing else which seams like a really small part of the time over the year (even if you go a lot).

Subaru/CRV/RAV4 to me looks better than any $4k-$6k Audi/BMW that has the potential to increase the price 50% with many relatively simple repairs.
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      01-12-2016, 08:46 AM   #37
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CRV are great for this. Bloody things run forever, and are cheap to fix.

My E90 has been fantastic so far though. Had to replace the windshield (bought it with it cracked and was expected), replaced a reverse switch in the tranny (right mirror was not dipping, getting hill assist and AWD error codes) for $14, and replaced the display on the radio for $80. Everything now works perfect.

Wanted an AWD sedan, can't stand how poorly SUV's handle, and should be able to sell it for more than I paid for it several years down the road. Bonus, BMW 12 year corrosion warranty that is still in effect. Living in the region with the highest salt use in the world, this is very important. Driver front and rear doors have a bit of rust on the bottom of the doors, but have already talked to body shop. They will be replacing the doors in the spring under warranty. Most Japanese 10 year old cars around here are absolute rust buckets.

Last edited by MightyMouseTech; 01-12-2016 at 08:51 AM..
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      01-12-2016, 08:47 AM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes View Post
And if you ever have to replace the starter or some belts, the entire front end of the car has to come off.

Number 1 reason I didn't get an audi from that era.
This.

Also, as much as I love German cars, I'd rather have a cheaper and much more reliable Japanese car. That's the whole point of a beater. You put oil and fuel in it, and drive the hell out of it for years to come.
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      01-12-2016, 08:58 AM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W/// View Post
This.

Also, as much as I love German cars, I'd rather have a cheaper and much more reliable Japanese car. That's the whole point of a beater. You put oil and fuel in it, and drive the hell out of it for years to come.
That's y I suggested the GC. Mine had 250k with zero issues. Everything worked. My friend has 3 Cherokees. He sold them with 300k, 350k, and 550k respectively and no problems. He had the Jeep straight 6 in them. Said they all leaked oil but that's it.
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      01-12-2016, 09:04 AM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fundguy1 View Post
That's y I suggested the GC. Mine had 250k with zero issues. Everything worked. My friend has 3 Cherokees. He sold them with 300k, 350k, and 550k respectively and no problems. He had the Jeep straight 6 in them. Said they all leaked oil but that's it.
I considered those too actually, but I guess I just trusted Toyotas more. Just a stigma I guess. Can't go wrong with either for sure

Having said that, my 4Runner leaks oil pretty bad too. It's ok, just keep adding rather than replacing the valve cover gasket. That's why beaters are awesome
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      01-12-2016, 09:56 AM   #41
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Crown Vic or Grand Marquis for $2kish & pocket the rest.

I am looking for another myself right now. Should have kept my old one.
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      01-12-2016, 10:23 AM   #42
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Quote:
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As the title says, I'm looking for a winter beater that costs $4-6k... any recommendations? (super open-ended). Only requirement is that the car be 4WD/AWD
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Originally Posted by BoostedRide View Post
Crown Vic or Grand Marquis for $2kish & pocket the rest.
Ehm....




Quote:
Originally Posted by David70 View Post
Agree with this, as a "beater" I would be looking for functional, cheap initial price, cheap to maintain and cheap to repair. I am assuming purpose is to get to the mountains to ski and back and virtually nothing else which seams like a really small part of the time over the year (even if you go a lot).

Subaru/CRV/RAV4 to me looks better than any $4k-$6k Audi/BMW that has the potential to increase the price 50% with many relatively simple repairs.
Quote:
Originally Posted by W/// View Post
This.

Also, as much as I love German cars, I'd rather have a cheaper and much more reliable Japanese car. That's the whole point of a beater. You put oil and fuel in it, and drive the hell out of it for years to come.
I'm going to start the search if I ever get out of DC today, but I'm leaning toward Japanese small SUVs / Subarus, with preference on the latter. Cheap operating cost, reliability, and practicality will make these cars better. Agreed - as much as I would love to get an old S4 Wagon or W8 Passat, the maintenance on those cars would be outrageous...
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      01-12-2016, 10:33 AM   #43
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Originally Posted by DaBean View Post
Ehm....








I'm going to start the search if I ever get out of DC today, but I'm leaning toward Japanese small SUVs / Subarus, with preference on the latter. Cheap operating cost, reliability, and practicality will make these cars better. Agreed - as much as I would love to get an old S4 Wagon or W8 Passat, the maintenance on those cars would be outrageous...
That's funny, cops use them all year. Even cops in Alaska & such!
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      01-12-2016, 11:02 AM   #44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DaBean View Post
I'm going to start the search if I ever get out of DC today, but I'm leaning toward Japanese small SUVs / Subarus, with preference on the latter. Cheap operating cost, reliability, and practicality will make these cars better. Agreed - as much as I would love to get an old S4 Wagon or W8 Passat, the maintenance on those cars would be outrageous...
Subaru? Reliability?

Buy head gaskets by the six pack.
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