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Old 03-31-2005, 02:35 PM
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Default Winter Car

I didn't really know where to post this so I put it in here. I am looking for a winter car as of my 1994 Ranger 4x4 has been giving me lots of problems the last 6 months. I am looking for something between $6000-$13000. I'm not asking for anyone to find a car just opinions on what is a good winter vehicle. I have been looking at Subaru WRX's and I think they would be great in snow. Keep in mind I live in WI. Let me know what you have/like or would like to have for winter. Any help and comments is appreciated.
Old 03-31-2005, 02:41 PM
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My first thought was the wrx, if I lived anywhere that it snowed I would by a used one to have some fun with.
Old 03-31-2005, 02:58 PM
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.....

Last edited by SmokingWS6; 03-31-2005 at 03:05 PM.
Old 03-31-2005, 03:01 PM
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Umm? What?
Old 03-31-2005, 03:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Crazy Z28
Umm? What?
wtf oops no clue how that happened
Old 03-31-2005, 03:09 PM
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Old 03-31-2005, 03:25 PM
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forget the wrx, if you have a camaro, you have a fast car already. If you want a snow car, go for a subaru legacy, or forester, or outback. I have a legacy SUS(sport utility sedan) it goes like a demon in the snow!

for snow you need some ground clearance, forget the low fast 4wd's, or you could just get a beater truck and mod your ls1
Attached Thumbnails Winter Car-pr03661061517.jpg   Winter Car-pr03661061501.jpg  
Old 03-31-2005, 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by wbw2
forget the wrx, if you have a camaro, you have a fast car already. If you want a snow car, go for a subaru legacy, or forester, or outback. I have a legacy SUS(sport utility sedan) it goes like a demon in the snow!

for snow you need some ground clearance, forget the low fast 4wd's, or you could just get a beater truck and mod your ls1

I just kind of want a snow car that is fun to drive. My Ranger has the 4.0 and 3:73 gears w/ a 5 spd, so it is a fun little truck. Unfortunately I have replaced the internal slave twice, clutch once, new gears in tranny once, and just put in a new tranny yesterday. Plus it has horrible alignment. I'm sick of sticking money into it and if I have to spend some I might as well just get a different car. Ground clearance really isn't an issue, my moms dodge van is awesome in snow. How do you like your Legacy? Is it decently quick (not compared to the ls1 of course)? Thanks for any info.
Old 03-31-2005, 10:45 PM
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I use a 94 Dodge Intrepid. I say if you are REALLY looking for fun in winter, then get a beater lt1 or something RWD... I figure summer is much much more fun to have fun with a car vs winter for lots of reasons. Just buy a beater car and drive that around in winter.
Old 03-31-2005, 11:46 PM
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The older Jeep cherokees are lots of fun in the snow. and pretty quick for its size. Nothing compared to the LS1 of course. But I smoked more than one riced out honda in the one I drove for a few months. Should have seen the look on there face when I left them tire smokin. It was pimp
Old 04-01-2005, 01:59 PM
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Thanks for the advice guys. Has anyone had a WRX because I'm starting to look into them more. Anythings you liked or disliked about them?
Old 04-01-2005, 02:20 PM
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I would get a WRX for the winter
Old 04-01-2005, 03:08 PM
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our legacy has the 2.5 and auto tranny and it is quicker than you would expect. the boy has a 1.8?? acura integra and I can beat that thing every which way. that subaru will outrun my truck also.

...plus it gets like 20+ mpg, heated seats, yadda, yadda, yadda...
tons cheaper than a wrx!, but if you still want wrx style look at an impreza 2 door, you might like it. btw, that legacy is a 99.
Old 04-01-2005, 05:05 PM
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I heard the WRX will cost more insurance wise because it's made out of a special metal or something... how true it is I don't know, but that's just what I heard.
Old 04-01-2005, 05:11 PM
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Just my opinion, save the money for WRX and get a nice used truck. You can find some in manuals and they are fun as hell to drive too. I want one here too, I'm thinking of trading my Camaro in for one, then with whatever money left over getting a 02 SS, if I can find one!

Good luck and tell us what you get.
Old 04-02-2005, 04:26 PM
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You won't find a WRX for $6,000- $12,000. Try 18k used with some miles. I drive a " sweet " 1995 legacy wagon AWD in the winter. It's a bear in the snow and is pushing 165000 miles.
Old 04-02-2005, 07:58 PM
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I would look into a used Audi A-6 or A-4 Quattro.Lots of them are sticks,out of all the European cars their value drops the quickest.Not expensive to insure.Not to mention for 2006 the A-4 and A-6 get all new designs,so the current bodystyles won't be in demand.You should be able to get into a 1999-2002 for the money you have to spend.From personal experience they are great handling,responsive reliable cars.
Old 04-03-2005, 03:12 AM
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My winter car is a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Classic 4x4 (2nd to top model).

I picked it up for $11,000 in perfect working order with 57K miles on it.

After over a year, it's been beaten, abused, off-roaded, drifted CONSTANTLY in the snow (as in motor revving like crazy, tires spinning 70-80 mph while jeep is moving 30-40), filled with stuff, used to pull stuck cars out and still it runs perfectly.

I'm very partial to cherokees because they are ultra-reliable (if you get the 4.0 inline-6 cylinder), they go anywhere through anything (never been stuck in the snow), are pretty comfortable, are damn quick for what they are (again, with the 4.0) and can haul/tow a surprising amount of weight.

they get SOMEWHAT poor gas mileage, but the trade-off is worth it in my eyes because i can go outside any day, in any weather, turn the key and just go.


One enthusiastic vote for a 4.0 liter cherokee here!
Old 04-03-2005, 03:03 PM
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get a GMC syclone or typhoon! AWD + turbo + v6 = WEEEE!

some might call it a travesty, but some of them arent in the best condition anyway.

and with the syclone, you will have a TRUCK when you need to haul a load of dirt that you'd rather not have in the back of the z28


my friend bought an oldsmobile bravada (like an s-10 blazer) when he was in the airforce in north dakota, its AWD and he said it got around good in the snow and ****.
Old 04-03-2005, 03:24 PM
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For $5k you should easily be able to find a 4X4 truck with a strong motor, lift kit, and gnarly tires. Gas mileage sucks, but they're increadibly fun. If you spend a little less and get one with a "decent" body on it, then you'll be in heaven. Why? cause you won't give a crap where you park it, who/what's around it, salt, running off into a ditch or small tree or something (as long as it's not high speed drivetrain damaging). Then you've got the $$ left over for more important stuff!



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