Open-ended question: Winter beater for $4-6k. What should I get?

[Fundguy1]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Subaru? Reliability?

Buy head gaskets by the six pack.

Yup. Sti) a fab other the GC ND Cherokee option. Toyota pickup not bad either.

[DaBean]

Originally Posted by BoostedRide

That's funny, cops use them all year. Even cops in Alaska & such!

Yea, but California has more restrictions for non-AWD vehicles going up to Tahoe. Plus, I want an AWD for additional peace of mind. Otherwise, I'd just slap winter tires on my M4 and call it a day

[DaBean]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Subaru? Reliability?

Buy head gaskets by the six pack.

Really? All of them? I thought the non-high-performers were reliable...

[BrokenVert]

Im telling you guys. stick Honda Element. Theyre tanks.

[litxus]

For that range pick something domestic or Japanese. I know some say Audi, BMW or VW, but these could be money pits if you get something that wasn't maintained.

Also, keep in mind with high elevation, heavy cars with small engines (or not so small) will struggle. I drove an 04 Wrangler lifted with off-road tires (think it was 4.0L) in Colorado, and it was struggling.

[3GFX]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

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.

Hence the 1.8T recommendation. Skirts those issues as the belt is on the side of the motor.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by BoostedRide

That's funny, cops use them all year. Even cops in Alaska & such!

I'm in Alaska.

Pretty much no on that. I don't think there are any active patrolmen driving around in crown vics and the like.

There are some taxis that are, but taxis are lots of things up here with a large percentage being subarus. Some of them can be quite frightening to ride in when they don't have studs on. I've taken a few rides in a crown-vic taxi that I would never repeat.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by DaBean

Really? All of them? I thought the non-high-performers were reliable...

It's not quite that simple, some old 2.2L engines were terrible, some of the 2.0 and 2.5 turbos were quite good, some of the 2.5 NA and some of the later 2.5 turbos had issues, you gotta look more specifically at the model year and engine that was speced. I put 135K+ on my WRX and had no problems, but the old 2.0 turbo was known as being one of the better engines in that regard.

But this is the main issue with the subarus, they are pretty rock solid otherwise (change the timing belt every 70-90K or so), so it could still work out, otherwise a CR-V/RAV-4 type would still be a pretty good bet IMO.

Knowing what I know now about winter tires, combined with growing up in Nor Cal, going over the 80, 50 and 88 passes, and experiencing true "winter" in Alaska, I'd buy a set of good winter tires (not mud and snow, WINTER tires, like blizzaks), put them on the vehicle, and call it a day. Chains are for when you should NOT be attempting to drive in the conditions. Sure, they'll help a bit in deep snow, but you are far better off waiting it out if it's that bad. Other issues like ground clearance start to come into play at that point.

[BloomRunsDubs]

You can get a decent 98-04 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a lot less then that.

I had one a few years ago in high school. Drove just as good as my 13 wrangler in 4wd. Absolute tank especially in the snow its pretty damn hard to get stuck. I was in a whole bunch of snowy ditches learning to drift on backroads lol. Only got it stuck once when we got more then a foot

[TheUtahX5M]

100% recommend a 2004-05 Acura TL for that price range.

[Fundguy1]

Originally Posted by BloomRunsDubs

You can get a decent 98-04 Jeep Grand Cherokee for a lot less then that.

I had one a few years ago in high school. Drove just as good as my 13 wrangler in 4wd. Absolute tank especially in the snow its pretty damn hard to get stuck. I was in a whole bunch of snowy ditches learning to drift on backroads lol. Only got it stuck once when we got more then a foot

Exactly. A small suv or car can't compete in the snow with a midsized suv or truck. If you have the right tires it'll push through snow hitting the bumper. GC 1993-2004 is cheap as dirt, reliable as all heck, and has all the creature comforts if you get a limited. I'd skip 1999 and 2000 years as they had new model problems solved by 2001. Makes an awesome summer off roader for dual use too.

[eric@helix]

Audi B5 wagon. Early to mid 2000s are in your price range. The S4 would obviously be funner, but more expensive and less reliable. The boring 6 cylinder would be a work horse. Get a wagon instead of a SUV. Much cooler.

[3GFX]

Originally Posted by eric@helix

Audi B5 wagon. Early to mid 2000s are in your price range. The S4 would obviously be funner, but more expensive and less reliable. The boring 6 cylinder would be a work horse. Get a wagon instead of a SUV. Much cooler.

See!

Except get the Passat (cheaper running costs)

[Fundguy1]

When did a wagon become more cool than an SUV?

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

When did a wagon become more cool than an SUV?

Always.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Always.

This.

[3GFX]

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

When did a wagon become more cool than an SUV?

Always has been the case in Europe.

Why?

More space to comparable prices both in the boot and the cabin.

Lighter weight, and lower drag thus generally better gas mileage.

Lower centre of gravity, generally a more enjoyable to drive.

The only place the SUV wins is ride height/ground clearance which is only necessary for truly terrible terrain.

[John Tanglewood]

Originally Posted by 3GFX

Always has been the case in Europe.

Why?

More space to comparable prices both in the boot and the cabin.

Lighter weight, and lower drag thus generally better gas mileage.

Lower centre of gravity, generally a more enjoyable to drive.

The only place the SUV wins is ride height/ground clearance which is only necessary for truly terrible terrain.

But in the US....BIGGAR is BETTAR! lol

[Fundguy1]

Originally Posted by 3GFX

Always has been the case in Europe.

Why?

More space to comparable prices both in the boot and the cabin.

Lighter weight, and lower drag thus generally better gas mileage.

Lower centre of gravity, generally a more enjoyable to drive.

The only place the SUV wins is ride height/ground clearance which is only necessary for truly terrible terrain.

True. But in the US they were pretty much taxed out of existence in the late 80s so since then the SUV rules. It also does much better at snow than a car due to its weight and carry more. That's why you may see 1 estate version of a Mercedes or BMW a year. And it's always a 50+ yr old rich woman driving it.

[EEBreh]

Biggest moneypit I ever owned was a B5. Poorly designed POS.

Get an older Benz like a 190e. They are built like tanks and insanely cheap / easy to work on.

[David70]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Always.

X3.

[secretsquirrel]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Stick Honda Element.

What? I think they're kinda cool....

Very good recommendation. They have a ton of room when you move the seats up and are super reliable. Its a great car to use year round when you need to go to home depot.