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If not any car with good snow tires is the way to go. Much cheaper than awd. Especially since awd will never pay for itself.
Occasionally I do find myself driving through unplowed roads. I did consider AWD but that affects gas mileage negatively so yeah, probably not worth it.
My recommendation is to do some research into comfortable sub-compacts via general Internet searches. Then plan to make two trips, one to the Ford Dealership and the other to the Chevy Dealership (since you expressed preference to both those brands) for test drives.
I've followed the Auto forum of CD for about a decade now and without reading all the replies, I bet most of them recommend Toyota or Subaru or a VW. Those aren't necessarily bad recommendations, but I see nearly every recommendation thread these days fill with those three so I feel like you just need to be aware there is major bias here at CD (or just particular posters who love those brands).
The truth is that you need to do test drives of the vehicles & research reliability and reviews to make a sound decision.
Regarding new vs used... I've had tough luck regarding used vehicles and great luck with new ones. Especially with the mileage you plan on putting on your vehicle, I'd say buy new so you don't have any surprises no matter the mileage you drive (and so you don't find yourself broken down far from home or the dealership). Sure you will rack up miles quickly but you won't be inheriting any potential issues from past neglect/abuse/accidents. My wife drove 2 hours per day commuting to work and had tremendous luck with new vehicles and they significantly outlasted the duration of our car payments (two of the vehicles were Mazda 3's).
My recommendation is to do some research into comfortable sub-compacts via general Internet searches. Then plan to make two trips, one to the Ford Dealership and the other to the Chevy Dealership (since you expressed preference to both those brands) for test drives.
I've followed the Auto forum of CD for about a decade now and without reading all the replies, I bet most of them recommend Toyota or Subaru or a VW. Those aren't necessarily bad recommendations, but I see nearly every recommendation thread these days fill with those three so I feel like you just need to be aware there is major bias here at CD (or just particular posters who love those brands).
The truth is that you need to do test drives of the vehicles & research reliability and reviews to make a sound decision.
Regarding new vs used... I've had tough luck regarding used vehicles and great luck with new ones. Especially with the mileage you plan on putting on your vehicle, I'd say buy new so you don't have any surprises no matter the mileage you drive (and so you don't find yourself broken down far from home or the dealership). Sure you will rack up miles quickly but you won't be inheriting any potential issues from past neglect/abuse/accidents. My wife drove 2 hours per day commuting to work and had tremendous luck with new vehicles and they significantly outlasted the duration of our car payments (two of the vehicles were Mazda 3's).
I have considered subcompact. They have, excellent gas mileage, only concern I have with them is safety...although the ones I have looked at have excellent safety ratings. I have noticed that there is a strong bias toward the brands you mentioned on this and another forum I frequent. I had decent luck with my last used vehicle but that may not happen again. I would be willing to consoder new if the price is reasonable enough.Of course this would mean a sub compact or perhaps compact. I noticed a new Focus costs almost as much as a new Fusion
IMHO, go out at looked at used Corollas, Civics, Cruzes, Focii, et at in the 2010-2011 range.
You will be in the $10-11K and $12-13K area for the domestics and imports respectively.
Drive whatever you buy for 2-3 years and then toss it on craigslist for $1500 or less and it will be gone in heart beat. Lather, rinse, repeat.
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