Reliable AWD vehicle for 2-5k? Doable?

[A790]

I'm thinking of going AWD for winter this year... tired of FWD traction gambles in the snow/ice. I've been looking at the market to see what I could get in that price range I see a lot of late 90's/early 2000's Subaru's that seem alright.

Specifically, there are a lot of Outbacks for sale at that price. Are they good vehicles? I know little about Subaru's in general.

Are there other vehicles I should be considering?

[Aniki]

I don't know if you've limited yourself to just Subaru's but I have a 99 Toyota Rav4 that's super reliable in your price range. You'll never have a problem with the snow; never gotten stuck in my Rav.

[A790]

Not really limited to anything, just weighing options. Looking at buying in Oct/Nov, but want to have an idea what to be looking for before then...

[Twin_Cam_Turbo]

Just a heads up you'll probably pay the AWD tax going into winter when everyone wants them.

[A790]

Originally posted by Twin_Cam_Turbo
Just a heads up you'll probably pay the AWD tax going into winter when everyone wants them.
True. I'd probably buy a little earlier of the price is right.

Anyone have any experiences with late 90's/early 00's Outbacks/Legacies?

[RickDaTuner]

get an older bmw 318X series, I forget the actual badging but those are great on gas and super simple to maintain

[Tik-Tok]

I picked up a 98 impreza outback with a blown engine for $300. Put a jdm 2.5l in for $1g, and 8 hours of my time, been very reliable for me for 2 years now. Just keep that in mind (how cheap an engine can be, if you DIY)

[ddduke]

I've been using an Escape the last few winters and it's unreal, hands down the best winter vehicle I have ever driven. You can get them as cheap as 3k too.

[jsn]

Might be able to find a RHD Impreza for around 5000. I find a lot of the LHD 2.5RS' seem to be still fairly expensive (at least above 5000).

[gyu]

You can probably find a first gen CR-V for around 5k

[InRich]

Originally posted by Tik-Tok
I picked up a 98 impreza outback with a blown engine for $300. Put a jdm 2.5l in for $1g, and 8 hours of my time, been very reliable for me for 2 years now. Just keep that in mind (how cheap an engine can be, if you DIY)

thats a sweet deal. :thumbsup:

[03ozwhip]

pending OOP i just bought a celica ST205. awesome AWD, will be amazing in winter. little more than you want to spend but well worth it IMO.

[max_boost]

Absolutely love Subaru's! Very reliable cars, low maintenance, good on gas, AWD, excellent daily drivers.

I know what you mean with the AWD thing, last winter was my first one in 5 years with out an AWD vehicle and it just annoyed me trying to get going from a dead stop. So this winter, I told my brother, sorry brah but I'm taking the WRX back. :D:burnout:

[schocker]

I drove a 98 outback wagon around in the winter for awhile. It had blizzaks on it and it was unstoppable, that thing could get through anything and was actually really fun to drive around in even though I looked like a moron. Gas mileage wasn't the best, but the driveability was great.

[bigbadboss101]

CRV, RAV 4, Outback all good choices. I had a 98 Outback and it was quite reliable and got me around in Fort Mac.

[Supa Dexta]

I bought a 92 4runner for 3k that is in great shape.. Its got 300k on it, but it runs great, and I dont doubt it at all.. :dunno:

[kevie88]

I bought an 02 Outback wagon a few years back, with a dent in the hatch for $5000. It's been a pretty good car, fairly reliable. I need to replace ball joints and the head gaskets, but it's not hard to do that stuff.

[A790]

I've expanded my list to include: Impreza's, Foresters, Outbacks, Rav 4's, and CRV's.

The deciding factor will be value: best car for the best price. Power/speed etc. secondary to amenities (heated seats would be nice) and reliability.

[n1zm0]

Reliable AWD vehicle for 2-5k? Doable?

Civic Wagovan, Doable :thumbsup: and probably under 2k.

but i'm also in the market for AWD this winter, FWD honda/acura winter beaters are ok but i long for the pull of AWD w/ winters at the iced up traffic lights sometimes... all the time. :(

[Aleks]

If you want heated seats in Hondas and Toyotas you typically have to go for the top models with leather. Subarus have heated seats with their cloth on lower end models.

[deee_wreck]

Bumping/Adding to this thread:

As I'm looking for the same thing as A790.

Any updates A790 ??

My WRX is going back as a lease return in September, although I'd love to keep it my financials have drastically changed and don't have $26K available to drop and buy it out.

Been spoiled with the AWD and 265 horses, but time to change.

So I'm looking to spend $5000 - upto 7000K range , for a AWD (sedan or SUV) to drive for the next 2 years, and then off load it.

Trolling Kijiji, Trader at:

- Impreza
- Forester
- Outback
- Saab
- CRV
- Rav4
- MDX
- A4 quattro
- Escape
- ......etc

Thoughts, suggestions, recommends and experiences by fellow beyonders?

[A790]

I abandoned my AWD quest and decided to drive the Forte through the winter. I bought a Mustang for the summer :)

[FraserB]

2004 Grand Cherokee,

The 2004 is the second gen body style.

Can get either a 4.0L inline 6 or V8, maintenance is easy on both, decent room for passengers, can tow a bunch, good cargo room. Come with either fulltime 4x4 or shift on the fly.

[a social dsease]

I bought a 95' Legacy Wagon (5spd) last Nov for $2150, with 345xxx on the body and 190xxx on the motor. Does pretty well in the snow with winter tires. I'd recomend getting one with a 5spd, as the auto's have a 90/10 f/r torque split, whereas the 5spds are full time 50/50.

Mines been pretty reliable, I had to spend about $150 to get a new piece of pipe welded in when the exhaust started leaking, and recently spent $350 on a throttle position sensor, but other than that its been mint. Not bad for <3k all in. Fingers crossed on it passing the Alberta OOPI when I move back to Cgy next month.

[Sliver]

I think Rav4s are great for women. When I see men driving them I just feel sorry for them.

[bigbadboss101]

V6 Rav4s are pretty quick.