Looking for suggestions for a winter beater

[Dave Rifkin]

Guys,

I can't deal with trying to drive the 'Vette in the snow and the crappy weather conditions anymore so the wife and I have decided it's time to start the search for a decent, reliable 4WD or AWD vehicle. (Trying to stay at $4k or less)

So far I have found some clean Jeep Cherokee Sports within that range, a few Subaru Forrester's and a really clean 2003 Ford Escape (V6).

I was hoping to get some feedback on these choices and/or any suggestions for other vehicles I should consider.

Thanks

[WILMASBOYL78]

If you are looking at cars in that price range...try to buy from someone privately who has owned and maintained the vehicle since new. Low price AWD or 4WD cars can become expensive repair projects if you are not careful. If you know someone in the business (new car dealer) they sometimes take in really nice high mileage trades that can't be retailed on their lot. These cars typically get snatched up by dealership employees in the know, so you need the inside track...I have lots of dealer contacts in New York if you need some help.

Good luck...wilma

[TORONADOXS]

I don't chime in here much, kind of a spectator. I guess you could say I live vicariously through you guys.But I AM a professional mechanic for 30 years, mostly in Colorado, so I finally get to contribute!! So here goes--- Buy the Subaru. Great snow cars, inexpensive, easy to fix, very reliable. A lot less problems than any other AWD vehicle out there.

[x Baldwin Motion]

I hate to admit this also, but I recently drove my pal to the airport in his Subaru, Forrester or Outback, not sure which, than had it in the snow for a week, it was a pleasure and used NO GAS compared to the 84K10. Damn 4NJNK [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/mad.gif[/img]

[Dave Rifkin]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TORONADOXS</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I don't chime in here much, kind of a spectator. I guess you could say I live vicariously through you guys.But I AM a professional mechanic for 30 years, mostly in Colorado, so I finally get to contribute!! So here goes--- Buy the Subaru. Great snow cars, inexpensive, easy to fix, very reliable. A lot less problems than any other AWD vehicle out there. </div></div>

Thank you for chiming in on this subject; I appreciate the advice. Aside from normal things to check; are there areas I should look at / be aware of when looking at an AWD car or Subaru's in particular?
How many miles are too many for these cars? I hear they are good for 300k plus if taken care of.

[TORONADOXS]

Dave-- I'd try to stay under 150K, but that's true with any car. I've got several customers with well over 300k on thier Subies(my niece has 450K on hers). Try to get maintenence records if you can. AWD vehicles will usually have T-case problems over 100k if they are not maintained (read:Jeep) but Subaru's AWD system is integrated into the tranny so they have WAY less problems in that regard. Subaru actually switched BACK to SOHC from DOHC in(I think) 2001, which is a better engine IMO. The biggest thing is the timing belt maintenence. More correctly, the timing belt idler pulleys. I've seen the idlers fail before belts do. Make SURE the tensioner and idlers get replaced when the belt does. This is the easiest timing belt you will ever do, by the way. If you can get used to the flat four's funky vibration, you'll LOVE it. They also offer a 3.0L flat six, but this is a chain driven engine, and very complicated, so I'd stay away from the 3.0. Anything else just let me know. Good Luck!!

[RoyalPlum]

Id suggest any 4x4 pickup that is less than 15 years old with less than 100k.
The Dodges with the 318 are cheap.
Or a little Toyota like the one in Toy Story.

[SuperNovaSS]

I ship Toyotas to Hawaii and everyone loves them out there. If you go with a Toyota earlier than 95, stay away from the 3.0 3VZE engine. They are junk.

Subarus are great cars too. Subarus can have head gasket issues though.


Jason