Car that's good for summer and winter...Opinions

[dezmarez]

I'm looking at getting a car because my winter beater just isn't cutting it year round.
I have a budget between 15 and 22K and I'm looking for a reliable car that would be good in the winter.
I was originally very interested in getting a IS 300 but after doing some further reading I heard they aren't that great in the winter (if anyone has an IS please let me know). Other options I like are a Volvo S60 AWD, or maybe an older BMW 3 series.

Any opinions would be great!!

[Hakkola]

Pretty much anything with a good set of winter tires, don't bother with awd. I've never had a problem with any of my rwd/fwd cars in the winter. Go with the IS300 and throw some Nokians on that bitch.

[chrispl]

what about a subaru?
or a volkswagen?

[Hatchback Hero]

You can drive just about anything I will refer you to a good set of tires.

Originally posted by Hakkola
and throw some Nokians on that bitch.

End of discussion

[Kona9]

wrx is a cool, reliable, moddable vehicle that /looks good in all seasons. IMO

[SetoJai]

Our winters are not that bad.... rwd, awd, fwd all will do great with a good set of snows on. Not having a lead foot in winter helps tons also

Get the one you like best!

[DelSoln]

The IS300 is fine in the winter. I had Blizzaks on mine and never had a problem.

[max_boost]

Originally posted by Kona9
wrx is a cool, reliable, moddable vehicle that /looks good in all seasons. IMO

Yep. Done.

[Ashers]

I've driven my Golf TDI with ESP over the last 3 winters. Never had a problem with stopping or getting going, and it's always gone where i\I've told it to go. If I get winter tires over my OEM Michelin All-Seasons, it will do even better

[Kloubek]

Personally, if you want to blast through snow in the winter, go with a Subie (already suggested) or Audi.

My Audi had the best AWD system I ever experienced. Heavy, but excellent.

If you are willing to import, you can get a 2004+ S4 up from the States for your price range.

(Plus there is one on here for 23-24 you might be able to dicker a bit)

[sputnik]

Originally posted by Kona9
wrx is a cool, reliable, moddable vehicle that /looks good in all seasons. IMO

I would go with the Outback for the increased ride height.

[hampstor]

Originally posted by Kona9
wrx is a cool, reliable, moddable vehicle that /looks good in all seasons. IMO

I know it's your opinion, but i completely disagree on that point.

dezmarez, what's wrong w/ the is300 you were considering? like everyone said, just throw some winter tires on it and you'll be fine. Don't let RWD frighten you... people have been driving RWD cars with more hp/torque than an IS300 in the winter long before things such as electronic stability control, ABS, and good winter radials came along.

[heavyD]

I drove my MR2 over last winter (w/winter tires of course) and never had any issues at all getting around the city. I wasn't confident taking it on the highway during poor conditions though as those cars can get a little tail happy.

[2EFNFAST]

Agreed with the above that as long as you have winter tires (decent ones) and don't drive like a jackass, you can drive almost anything.

I know everybody <3s AWD, but I can't begin to count how many I see slammed into the side of the road, from driving like a gigantic jackass.

[scat19]

I hate "I heard RWD suck in winter"

Not if you know how to drive and have proper equipment.

[mr2mike]

Originally posted by scat19
proper equipment.

Just to add to this. Proper equipment is winter tires with good tread. Studs if needed and weight in the back if you feel you need that for traction.

I drove a 91 Mustang in the winter when I was 17. Studs and sandbags FTW.

The addition of traction control now just helps people who don't know how to start in 2nd gear, feather the gas.

I don't know how many people don't know that once you spin the tires you're done.

[Darell_n]

Originally posted by Hakkola
Pretty much anything with a good set of winter tires, don't bother with awd.

I always thought the same thing until I bought my Impreza. There's crawling around the city and surviving and then there's driving all winter the exact way I drive in the summer. I also drive my 2wd turbo Dodge in the winter, 600+ hp gets exciting on winter highways.

[FiveFreshFish]

Golf R32

[Hakkola]

Originally posted by Darell_n


I always thought the same thing until I bought my Impreza. There's crawling around the city and surviving and then...

Did you ever get quality tires? I drive my Benz and Bimmer the same way I do in the summer, I couldn't even drift my E-class with studded Nokians in the snow because they're so grippy.

I haven't been stuck in 4 years because I stopped buying shitty winter tires.

[mr2mike]

4WD with crappy all-seasons is deceiving. You'll drive just fine but stopping and control is another issue. Good winter tires is the only way to go IMO.
Also knowing how your car behaves in snow/ice. Knowing is 1/2 the battle.