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Looking to get a second vehicle for the family when we relocate up to Maine. What is our cheapest option for a newer vehicle for me to commute to work? its about an hour commute one way. I was thinking of possibly leasing an AWD Honda CRV or another AWD or 4wd SUV what would be our cheapest option?
Time and distance suggests the bulk of the commute is either interstate or major state highway that's going to get plowed fairly quickly after a significant snowstorm. If 90%+ of your commute is where the standing snow never gets much beyond 3 inches or so: Subaru Impreza.
As long as the tires are good, smaller cars handle really well in icy conditions, with many outperforming larger SUVs with longer stopping distances and higher centers of gravity. (I actually grew up driving a Ford Escort in the Lake Michigan lake effect snow belt; my little POS stayed on the road nicely and passed many an SUV in the ditch) Add in the standard AWD, and you've got a very solid performer in rough weather conditions. Subaru has also really fine tuned the CVT transmission so you're getting 32-35 mpg in real world highway driving, keeping fuel costs low. MSRP for the 5 door CVT version (yes, get the hatch) is just shy of $20K, and Subarus are common enough in Maine that people who know how to fix them are going to be much on the ground once the warranty is up. Though chances are you won't need much in the way of repairs for a long while.
If you need higher clearance, add the Forrester and Crosstrek to the list. Both start slightly cheaper than the Honda, and thrive in Maine conditions. The Forrester is a little more practical, while the Crosstrek has more visual appeal.
If you're coming up from Texas, buy two old cars and tow them up with you. Heck bring as many as you can find. You can sell them as rust-free southern cars. Otherwise, bring some rust-free cars with you and keep fixing them. Some mechanics might pay you to work on them, most of 'em haven't see a rust free car. Ever.
Most of the winter you probably don't need AWD. Heck you might not even need snow/winter tires. Me, I have snow tires on two vehicles but the third keeps all seasons. And the third stays home if it snows. It's how I economize (4x4 truck for weekend duty + snow duty, cheapo Camry for commuting most days of the year).
If you don't have N+1 vehicles then I'd recommend winter tires; FWD can be surprisingly good in a sedan, and yield better mpg when the AWD isn't needed. But a CUV can be more of a jack of all trades vehicle. So you might need to specify better what your vehicle needs are: pure commuter, family hauler, mover of junk on weekends, etc.
The vehicle will be 95% commuter so even a car is fine. an SUV isnt a must. it would be nice to have it so the dog kennels could fit in the back for the random road trips. I have a new 2016 Tundra 4x4 but I do not want to daily drive it and have it rot out in a year. so I will keep it in the garage and let me wife drive that as the grocery getter.
The vehicle will be 95% commuter so even a car is fine. an SUV isnt a must. it would be nice to have it so the dog kennels could fit in the back for the random road trips. I have a new 2016 Tundra 4x4 but I do not want to daily drive it and have it rot out in a year. so I will keep it in the garage and let me wife drive that as the grocery getter.
I would drive the Tundra. It isn't going to rot out in a year.
Looking to get a second vehicle for the family when we relocate up to Maine. What is our cheapest option for a newer vehicle for me to commute to work? its about an hour commute one way. I was thinking of possibly leasing an AWD Honda CRV or another AWD or 4wd SUV what would be our cheapest option?
You didn't ask this, but, to me, leaving Houston to move to Maine, and drive 60+ miles to work, including in the winter - is insane. Whatever raise they are offering, it ain't enough. You ever live in a place like Maine?
If you go ahead - what you won't be getting is cheap. You will need something like a Subaru, and the road salt will rust them out in probably 10 years use or less. You will take a financial beating coming and going.
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