SUV for snow days.....reliable for under $7500??

[jbripps]

Hi all,

Well....my daily driver (325i) is being replaced with an '02 C4S...so I'm looking to get a "beater" for the crummy weather... $7500 or less if possible, and want to get a car or small suv that can handle snow (subaru?) without hitting me in the wallet with repairs. The car will not be driven more than 5K miles per year is my guess, give or take....but it needs to be safe as well. I don't need anything flashy....

Any input would be appreciated. Let the debate begin. Also...tried searching this but I need fresh info.


THANKS IN ADVANCE.....

[steveo123456]

Jon,
I have a 98 Jeep Wrangler that I use as my "beater." Fun to drive in a different way way that my P car and will it will plow through snow and mud like a champ. I pamper my Porsche but I have not washed the Jeep in the 4 years that I have owned it. It's also been very reliable. The straight 6 is pretty solid.

[VINMAN]

Pick up a mid 90's full size Bronco.

[Dantilla]

I had a Jeep Cherokee that had over 225,000 miles when I sold it- to a friend! We currently have a Wrangler.

Jeep's 4.0 6-cylinder engines and drive trains are buletproof.

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

I'll vote for Subaru. Ours is VERY stable and handles well on ice! (It even left a newer 3? series bmw in the dust on some curves!!!)

[masraum]

Another vote for Jeep Cherokee. 4.0L straight 6 is torquey, trannies are bullet proof. Since they are unibody instead of body on frame like most SUV's they are light, like 2700-3000lbs light which means that they can stop faster and are peppier than many others. They are a basic utility vehicle, but still look decent for an SUV.

[75'930cab]

1996 and up 4Runner.

[Jims5543]

Originally posted by 75'930cab
1996 and up 4Runner.

+1


My first thought was 4Runner then when I saw Cherokee I agreed with that too. I just like Toyotas a lot.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

97-99 Grand Cherokee with the 4.0 I6

[schamp]

Try a 96 and up tahoe. Nothing runs bad longer that the old 350 or to you young guys a 5.7.

[Rot 911]

Any SUV you get is a gas hog, particularly Jeeps. And this is coming from a Jeep guy. How much snow are you expecting to go thru? A Honda Civic (or most any front wheel drive car) with good all weather tires will go through 95% or more of the snow you will find on most roads. And get good gas mileage.

[jbripps]

Hi All,

Thanks so much for the input. The more I think about it...I think a FW drive car would do just fine....if there is a blizzard...I don't go anywhere anyway.

Just wanted a car for my wife to drive (other than the p-car) for when I have the van. Also, it MUST be safe for kids...so the wranglers are basically out, although I have always wanted one. Soon enough I guess.

I'm seeing new Accords lease for under 200/month will small up front costs. I may go that route. Also....This car will be under a lift during much of the winter.....I think I'll have a tough time getting an SUV under there....sorry, I forgot to mention that.

Anyhow....maybe a lease is not such a bad option here if I can keep the costs low. I just don't want to spend more than necessary. Subarus have specials too.

I don't need to return the Bimmer until September...which should be an even better time to grab a left over. Still considering all options.

Thanks again all.

[NICKG]

Originally posted by jbripps
Hi all,

Well....my daily driver (325i) is being replaced with an '02 C4S...so I'm looking to get a "beater" for the crummy weather... $7500 or less if possible, and want to get a car or small suv that can handle snow (subaru?) without hitting me in the wallet with repairs. The car will not be driven more than 5K miles per year is my guess, give or take....but it needs to be safe as well. I don't need anything flashy....

Any input would be appreciated. Let the debate begin. Also...tried searching this but I need fresh info.


THANKS IN ADVANCE.....

well knowing exactly the area you are in..(i worked in monsey for years) i would say get a vw jetta, cheap, great in snow and where you are, lots of great repair shops. The 96-98 are very reliable (i had over 460k miles on my golf)and will resell very nicely in rockland if you decide to get something else after a year or so. Parts are really cheap and the cars are exceptionally common.
just purt 4 snows on in the winter(about 200) and it will go anywhere a suv will in snow (unless you HAVE to offroad) and get mid 30mpg
I drove from Sussex county nj to rockland everyday for years with my golf, snow did not matter. over mt peter (greenwood lake rt 17m) and it never had any problem

[Scott R]

4 runner with the SR22, just about any year will do. I drove one until the rear bed rusted off, and it was still running great.

[mattdavis11]

I'd recommend a Land Cruiser with a 3FE, but it's too big, and it wouldn't get used properly. You don't need full time 4wd. However, it's about as safe as they come.

[Porsche_monkey]

Buy a used Volvo and four snow tires. A high mileage 850 can be a very cheap car to buy and to drive. Wagons are ugly, it won't get stolen, but they are very practical.

[Gene Wilkes]

+1 on the Subs and the 850 volvos!

[NICKG]

the problem with volvos in his area is that all the shops that work on them charge out the butt and are arrogant jerks...

[hytem]

You put all-season tires on a 911 or a Boxster, and you've got a good cold weather car-- The high clearance Jeeps help only in deep snow. On a farm, or traveling in snowstorms. Otherwise, an SUV isn't as safe--rolls over easily and no bumper protection. Cars are safer--lower center of gravity. A lot of people think SUVs are safer--but you can roll over easily if you get hit. I'd rather be in one of the Porsches.

[kycarguy 935]

My winter 'not so' beater is a Subaru Legacy. The only thing is we don't get much snow here.