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My old '92 pickup is finally dying, so it's time to buy a new car. But, gosh golly, what to choose? I was hoping someone on here could help.
I commute from Boise to Mountain Home for work, so it has to have good MPG, at least 25. And it needs to be able to handle the snow and ice in winter. I had to call out of work a few days during Snowmaggedon 2016-2017 because the roads were so bad; I'd like a car that can handle snowy interstate.
A high ground clearance would be nice. When I lived in Spokane the side streets never got plowed, so you'd be driving over a mound of snow probably a foot or more high. And a short frame length (compact) for Boise parking garages and easy parallel parking would be nice too.
My budget is around $20k. I really just want something fuel-efficient and winter-safe to get me to work and back safely and reliably.
I'd appreciate any input! I've been researching for a looong time and I keep going around in circles.
Get a cheap compact car with good MPG and get a good set of winter tires for it. Ground clearance and AWD/4WD are overrated unless you're driving through deep unplowed snow (unlikely on public roads).
I'd read that the Crosstrek doesn't have good traction on slick roads. Some sort of issue with the AWD or something. Is that an exception rather than a rule?
I would get a Ford Fusion Energi. Holy cow, the thing gets over 40 mpg and it's not even a hybrid! I drive from Boise to Lehi twice a month, and have never had a problem with snow on I-84 between Bosie and Mtn Home. The tricky part is between Sublett and Snowville, or around Howell, UT. I'm driving a Mitsu Galant with 155K miles.
I'd read that the Crosstrek doesn't have good traction on slick roads. Some sort of issue with the AWD or something. Is that an exception rather than a rule?
This is something that is best asked in the Subaru forum.
Like cleosmom, I also have an AWD RAV4. I get slightly better mileage than her, but then I'm not a very aggressive driver, (not saying that she is). I do very little city driving, which helps mileage too. On my long-distance drives, I easily get 27.5-28.5 mpg, depending on which way the winds blows and how fast I'm moving. As she says, lots of room inside too. Even though I'm 6'3", I can stretch out in the back to sleep, and have on occasion.
However, even though I have never had any issues in snow, Subaru really does have the best AWD system in the industry, hence the recommendation. Tires make a big difference too.
I would get an AWD Subaru. I owned a Legacy for yrs and it was fantastic. I now own a Rav4. I like it alot but prefer my Subaru. They handle so well in bad weather/snow/slick streets. You can always take a weekend and just test drive a few choices- see what you like. All the best.
Its not what you were asking for, but coming from a pickup. I would sacrifice the extra mpg and get an ecoboost F150.
You still get all the benefits of a truck, like towing and hauling, and you give up about 5 mpg.
Totally get it if you have no use for a truck, but its amazing how often I need mine.
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