Best car for winter? (Plymouth: buy, live in, prices)

[CrazyDave]

Originally Posted by GregW

FWIW - My wife and I drove a pair of 1974 SAAB 99 FWD sedans over 500,000 miles before the rust deamons got them after 15 yrs. I do know how to drive things (except trailer trucks) no matter which wheels are doing the pushing. All cars have four wheel brakes so the choice of driveline is not that important.

I have always found braking to be trickier than acelleration when trying to cover ground. A down hill snow covered road to a "T" junction is about a tricky as it can get. Good luck moving to NH. Keep in touch.

+1 It ain't the moving that will get ya it's the stopping.

[WannaComeHome]

GraniteStater wrote: (I don't see the appeal of buying new when you factor in rapid initial depreciation).

but then again: new cars are covered under the lemon law and used cars are 'As Is'. If you are not an 'under the hood' sort of person, you have no idea whether it's in good condition or not. DH doesn't like used cars because he doesn't want to buy someone else's problems - if the car was great, why get a new one?

Just another view.....

[StAcKhOuSe]

Originally Posted by Dwatted Wabbit

One that starts every time you turn the key.

i like this answer haha. you people are lucky. i had to ride a bike to work all winter. and no i didnt have snow tires.

[GregW]

Was that bicycle or motorcycle?

[seamusnh]

Subarus prior to 2000 had problems with head gaskets. I'd avoid buying anything before 2000. As for gas mileage, any 4WD or AWD car will get lower mileage than their 2WD counterparts. We have an 01 Subaru Forester that is rated at 19 city and 25 highway. That is probably about right as we get 22 combined...

All Subies are AWD. If you believe you can get away with just FWD, get a Toyota or Honda and get an extra set of wheels with snow tires.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/***/findacar.htm

[WannaComeHome]

Originally Posted by StAcKhOuSe

i like this answer haha. you people are lucky. i had to ride a bike to work all winter. and no i didnt have snow tires.

bike? you had a bike? I had to ride pedalling without a bike uphill both ways!!!

[Lincolnian]

I've had two Subaru Imprezas and a DL wagon. I bought my mother-in-law a Legacy. My only recommenation would be to avoid the low profile sport rims. My current Impreza has them and high speed tires. They stink in the snow. My other Impreza with standard rims and all season tires was like a tank as was my DL. My mother-in-law has had similar good luck with her Legacy.

I have found my Subarus to be superior in snow to my Ranger, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Trooper. The AWD beats part-time or even the Select Trac I had in my Grand Cherokee.

[PossiblyMe]

Well Ive started looking at Outbacks, Legacys and Imprezas. I grew up with gearheads so I am planning to take a few with me when I actually start looking at the models, but that was a good call by seamusnh on the models prior to 2000, I wouldnt of known about the gasket problems. I am seeing some pretty average pricing on these guys to. AWD is the way to go it seems. FWD seems like a good backup plan. Portsmouth is where I am looking to move to so hopefully I wont be going up and down TOO many hillside areas. I do not get along with heights and driving up hills with no guard rails turn me into a screaming school girl on occassion. No matter what car Id get, that still wouldnt impress many ladies heh.

[StAcKhOuSe]

Originally Posted by GregW

Was that bicycle or motorcycle?

bicycle.

for some reason, i automatically hate everyone who drives SUVs now because they all drive like morons and try to run me off the road

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by StAcKhOuSe

bicycle.

for some reason, i automatically hate everyone who drives SUVs now because they all drive like morons and try to run me off the road

That is why I dislike driving on I-93
I would barely even call a Subaru Forester in SUV. To me, it is more like a 5 door hatchback with a short (99 inch) wheelbase.
I am glad to have it (especially) for winters and the mud season here in NH