New car purchase for NEPA conditions (Scranton, Hazleton: bankrupt, living in, cost of)

[Cougargm]

Subarus are built like tanks and do last for quite some time. I have relatives that had over 200,000 miles on their Subarus and still had all the original major components. As I mentioned, our 2003 didn't have a single 'actual repair' in 6 yrs. Subaru used to advertise that something like 90+ % of all cars they sold in a decade were still on the road, and their quartely magazine always has testimonials of owners whose cars have 300,000+ miles and still have the original engines, transmissions, etc. I've owned four of them so far. They're not the most luxurious cars available but they are solid, well built and dependable.

[businezguy]

I wonder how a Ford Escape would be....I'd probably go with a Subaru instead....there are so many choices.

[businezguy]

Originally Posted by Cougargm

Subarus are built like tanks and do last for quite some time. I have relatives that had over 200,000 miles on their Subarus and still had all the original major components. As I mentioned, our 2003 didn't have a single 'actual repair' in 6 yrs. Subaru used to advertise that something like 90+ % of all cars they sold in a decade were still on the road, and their quartely magazine always has testimonials of owners whose cars have 300,000+ miles and still have the original engines, transmissions, etc. I've owned four of them so far. They're not the most luxurious cars available but they are solid, well built and dependable.

Yeah I would love to keep my car for 8 years or more. With the amount of miles I drive, it would have to go at least 250k before I replace it. I'm seriously considering a Subaru. My real concern is price and fuel economy. I hate their website as well, they have everything so split up and do a poor job of telling the differences in the sub-models.

[cowboyxjon]

Jeep Patriot? I drive a Wrangler, but the Patriot is a smaller 4cyl engine that is somewhat impressive with the manual transmission. I test-drove a Patriot and expected it to be super slow, but I was surprised. Also, you can get a great deal on one of them right now and I know someone who works for a Dodge/Jeep dealership that says that they hardly ever get any Patriots (and Compass) in for repairs.

Just a thought. I think they get around 27 on the highway, which isn't as much as other vehicles, but they do offer 4WD when its needed and it can be turned on and off.



I know you're asking about NEPA specifically, but I think Subaru is the official car of Colorado. Everyone has either a Subaru or Nissan Xterra, it seems! I don't have anything against Subaru other than that I've never been impressed with the interiors of any of the models I've looked at, though obviously the interior doesn't affect the reliability of the vehicle. Just a personal preference, though.

[scrantonluna]

If you seriously need 9 inches of ground clearance, then I wouldn't be looking at anything but a Jeep product. The new Wrangers are nice but can be expensive, especially the four door models. The Liberty, and the Dodge Nitro which shares the same chassis, may work for you. They are not as rugged but should be able to do the job with a good set of snows. Obviously, you always pay for a vehicle that is a little more purpose built, and capable 4x4s will typically have a rougher ride and poorer fuel economy than say a chevy malibu.

If you will be driving on plowed roads 99% of the time, I'd be looking at a Subaru.

[bldginpa]

I vote for the Subaru. We bought our first one a year ago and we are not at all sorry. Driving up to NEPA from Long Island was not even a worry or consideration for us this past winter. The Subaru handled anything that came along. We have a semi-steep climb getting into our community and have had not problems climbing it whatsoever. The best mileage we've gotten, however, has been 27mpg. This was total parkway driving, not local. Also, we traded in a Mazda 3 for the Subaru and had gotten stuck several times in NEPA with the Mazda, needing to be pushed.

[BLUEDIAMOND64]

We have a Honda Hybrid that gets excellent mileage. We have owned about 7 Hondas and never had a bad experience with them. If I did not buy Honda, I would buy Toyota............great fuel mileage with the hybrid. 53 Highway.

[Summering]

All my girls want a Honda Odyssey. We just seem to have a lot of passengers that need seats lately.
I just turned in my Equinox. I had not one problem or issue with that SUV. It was completely dependable. It just felt too small. We needed room for four golfers golf bags, for taking many items back and forth to Myrtle, and for room while going out with friends. Also, we needed room for the sake of taking one vehicle to the beach and state parks, rather then two.
I've had two SUV's and rarely got use of the four wheel drive. Once while going over a snow berm with the Jimmy.........the air intake was pushed off, so the four wheels did not work. Just at the time I needed it to.
I decided I needed more room, more then four wheels. I have found that over the years the front drive got me places that back drive wouldn't.
So we The DVD already kept the little fellows quiet and occupied......The storage was awesome....I'm quite lovin' it. I finally have room again........
I may never go back to anything else.........

[notkaplan]

I know I'm jumping into this conversation a little late but here goes.
I live in one of the highest (read- snowiest) areas of the Poconos- Gouldsboro, which is just over 2000 feet in elevation. I have never, in my 13 years of driving, owned a 4 wheel drive vehicle. The front wheel drives that I have owned have gotten me through some pretty scary stuff. I have the kind of job where they do not close, nor can I call off, because of the snow. The ony probem is that the last 1/10 of a mile to my house is a very very steep hill that sometimes I have to park at the bottom and walk. A 4 wheel drive probably would make it, but I'd say I have to park it (along with some other neighbors) maybe 3 or 4 or 5 times per year, so it's not that bad. It's certainly not worth the extra cost of 4 wheel drive to me. (and going down the hill, even if not plowed yet, is no problem lol)

Also, the past few years I have only owned asian cars. Hyundais, Honda's and Kia's. After seeing the problems with the domestic manufacturers lately, I kind of feel guilty =-(
My first car was almost 20 years old at the time, a 77 Mercury, and boy did I love that car. As for the Chevy Malibu you were talking about, I'm not sure if they're any good in the snow, but my father last year bought an 08 Impala, and I have to say it's a gorgeous car and he loves it.

[Summering]

YES, I think also........I have chosen to,most likely, walk up my driveway rather then drive up.......
But, it will be the price I pay for wanting more room in my vehicle.......and so I'll bare with it.
I just could not be cramped one minute longer.........( smiles)