Eric - I'm an AWD fan for sure, but tires are probably more important. I just put a set of Hankook iPikes on my TDI Jetta. Had less-aggressive Blizzaks last year and the handling/traction was amazing, particularly under braking. So I wouldn't completely rule out a 2WD vehicle! Maybe a nice midyear 911, lifted Safari-style with Hankooks! :D
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1194911542.jpg

Here ya go .... a REAL rallybastard. Just needs a rack!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsche-911-Race-Rally-car-Vintage-Roadracer_W0QQitemZ250186284836QQihZ015QQcategoryZ 10156QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1194914148.jpg

Audi, Subie, ppffftt... The VW Syncro vanagon is the best ski transport ever made. And, to quote Roland Kunz "the Porsche of vans."

The skis/boards can be tossed inside (not up on some sanded-slushfest ski rack) the boots can be set next to the aux rear floor heater (toasty for a quick foam fit) AND you can put them on INSIDE the vehical with ease. (I mean the boots ...come to think of it, , with the side door open you could put you skis on in there too!) :D ..AWD, locking rear diff... goes anywhere. (see "swimcro," among others at http://ovaloffice.be/ )

Glen,
Ideally it would be a Syncro with a 911 motor done over by Denny Akers... Heck, I'd even take a Tiico, or SVX motor, but a well done reliable one isn't going to happen for the small budget I have for this rig....

Curt, I've got a 05 TDI Passat wagon.... but we've had to chain it up to get up the hill, we've also had to wait for the plow on numerous occasions, and yes, we've got the current crop of "best" winter tires on it.

I've got a 99' Suburban Diesel with studded Cooper Discoverer's all the way around...but need one more rig during this upcoming season.

I really don't want to sell a "toy" to make this happen, if you get my drift;)
Theoretically this is the car to tide me over till the Tiguan comes in a diesel, or I can get the Toerag with the diesel 6 cylinder. Then I'll re-do the daily drivers....just don't want to sell stuff right now... just a "cheap" car addition to the current crop.

Eric

For a realistic option in that price range: I've heard really good things about the Impreza 2.5 RS. Basically, a WRX without the turbo motor.

We have a 2003 Audi A4 Quattro with the 1.8 turbo and 5-speed. Great ski car. The turbo doesn't care about altitude and the Quattro with good tires don't care about snow. 30-32mpg to Tahoe and back. Huge trunk and the rear seats fold down; we haven't yet needed to put the ski tub on top since the skis fit nicely.

Jim

$10k will buy a really nice AWD Volvo V70 wagon, or a V70 XC for added ground clearance. Not quite enough money for an R, but the high-pressure turbo models are over 200 HP.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1194980085.jpg
:D

Always snow tires. Always. Best safety (and fun) investment that a snow driver can make. I would take snow tires over airbags, ABS, AWD, and nearly any other safety feature. The difference is phenomenal.

put some weight in the rear trunk!!!!!!

otherwise the mid engine wont help get tracition for going up hill.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1194982736.jpg

The winner is still a VW Syncro van.

Best vehicle in the snow I've ever driven -- incl. Jeeps, Land Rovers, Subies, etc. -- is the 325iX (e30). You can get one for much less than $10,000 and put Blizzaks or Hakkepeliittas on it and have no fear. It doesn't have a ton of clearance, though.

JP

Taking mileage out of the equation, I would think a full sized 4x4 truck would be your best bet. In the times that I have been in Tahoe during bad storms, those are the ONLY vehicles on the road besides the road crews. They seem to have the clearance to drive through the snow and the vehicle weight to get the tires onto something that gives them traction.

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/k...ofDSCN0415.jpg
My dad is selling that. Little out of your budget tho.
It has the V6 and killer ground clearance not to mention 4wd and the camper shell for haling your gear in.