[thomasdale2144]

So obviously my stang won't be seeing the snow this winter... and i don't have a DD, so this leaves me with no mode of transportation during the brutal minnesota winter so i was wondering whats a reliable car with decent mpg's (at least 20 in city), thats also very good in snow. just wondering if anyone has any ideas. also budget of around $3-4K. thanks

[thomasdale2144]

thanks little to pricy haha, can't find one for under 7k here

[brokenweasel]

Did someone's post get deleted? I'm confused. Anyway, my vote goes for a 4x4 jeep cherokee with the 4.0L straight 6.

[thomasdale2144]

yeah lol, i will look into it

[1996 GT]

Jeep TJ with a 2.5 if your concerned about mpg.

[zinc-vert02]

geo traker lol

[B's04gt]

XJ FTW

[ReverendDexter]

Do you want 4x4 style or rally style? I personally prefer rally style.

Corolla/Tercel AllTrac
Subaru GL Wagon/BRAT/Impreza
DSM
Universal FWD Compact w/snow tires (Civic/Corolla/Metro/Neon/Mirage/Escort/Cavalier/etc)

[johnGT]

Late 80's toyota truck. My buddy has one. It's not very fast (4 cylinder, decent gas mileage) but it will go ANYWHERE. In 4wd low, it sits happily in 5th gear at 15mph!!

A few years ago there was a bad snow storm here. I live in the north GA mountains. Some neighbors of mine have some silverado 1500 trucks. They couldn't make it up the mountain road to my house in 4wd. My buddy got half way up the road in 2wd...the last HUGE hill he put it in 4wd and it didn't slip AT ALL.

[B's04gt]

Originally Posted by johnGT Late 80's toyota truck. My buddy has one. It's not very fast (4 cylinder, decent gas mileage) but it will go ANYWHERE. In 4wd low, it sits happily in 5th gear at 15mph!! A few years ago there was a bad snow storm here. I live in the north GA mountains. Some neighbors of mine have some silverado 1500 trucks. They couldn't make it up the mountain road to my house in 4wd. My buddy got half way up the road in 2wd...the last HUGE hill he put it in 4wd and it didn't slip AT ALL.

4wd toyota pickup's are little beasts for sure!!

[thomasdale2144]

you guys are the best lol i never would have thought about them as good in snow

[WickedSnake00]

I'm just going to leave this here...



VERY cheap, reliable, and excellent gas milage. Plus it's a platform that has plenty of mods out there, especially on the cheap. Like a 2.4 swap (or even a V6 swap! It's been done!) or turbo. Just shy away from the 2nd gen automatics. If you do get one, put a liquid to air trans cooler on it.

I would suggest the R/T trim ones if you can find them. They come with upgraded suspension, and a better flowing head/intake/exhaust combo.

[03SonicBoom]

Depending on how much snow you get, I would go with an AWD car (like a Suby) or one of the many FWD vehicles. My wife's Cavalier (with snow tires) will go through snow that's all the way up to the bumper.

If you're going to be driving through deeper snow than that, I would look at a small truck or Jeep. But you won't get the same gas mileage.

Originally Posted by B's04gt XJ FTW

Are you getting at least 20 mpg in the city with any XJ? If so, I want to know what you have done to get that mileage.

[ReverendDexter]

Originally Posted by 03SonicBoom Are you getting at least 20 mpg in the city with any XJ? If so, I want to know what you have done to get that mileage.

+1

That's why I recommended one of these:

Toyota corolla ae95 4wd rolling in snow - YouTube

Toyota corolla ae95 4wd rolling in snow - YouTube

This one looks particularly gutless because the guy put tires on that are way too big.

[03SonicBoom]

Originally Posted by ReverendDexter This one looks particularly gutless because the guy put tires on that are way too big.

Which brings up the fact that you always need to get proper tires. One can have a more than capable vehicle, but be stranded w/out the right tires. Don't expect to buy a beater w/ summer tires and it perform awesome.

[ReverendDexter]

Originally Posted by 03SonicBoom Which brings up the fact that you always need to get proper tires. One can have a more than capable vehicle, but be stranded w/out the right tires. Don't expect to buy a beater w/ summer tires and it perform awesome.

Word. A 2WD, even a RWD, with proper winter tires is 10,000 times better in snow than a 4WD with summer tires.

And no, allseasons are NOT winter tires.

[brokenweasel]

Originally Posted by WickedSnake00 I'm just going to leave this here... VERY cheap, reliable, and excellent gas milage. Plus it's a platform that has plenty of mods out there, especially on the cheap. Like a 2.4 swap (or even a V6 swap! It's been done!) or turbo. Just shy away from the 2nd gen automatics. If you do get one, put a liquid to air trans cooler on it. I would suggest the R/T trim ones if you can find them. They come with upgraded suspension, and a better flowing head/intake/exhaust combo.

Cheap and EASY TO WORK ON - I just did a camshaft seal, timing belt, water pump and tensioner pulley on a 1997. For a little car that's survived winter in Maine and Ohio since it was born, the thing barely has any rust and is still kicking after 160,000+ miles. If you can hold a steering wheel you can fix these cars, they are nice and simple.

[ReverendDexter]

If you do go for a Neon, spring for a twincam. It won't cost you much more initially, but it'll be a LOT more fun to drive.

Well, unless you're gonna get an automatic. Then just pick up whatever's cheap and available and accept that it's gonna be a soul-sucking bore.

[WickedSnake00]

Originally Posted by ReverendDexter If you do go for a Neon, spring for a twincam. It won't cost you much more initially, but it'll be a LOT more fun to drive. Well, unless you're gonna get an automatic. Then just pick up whatever's cheap and available and accept that it's gonna be a soul-sucking bore.

The DOHC are nice in the 1st gens, but if you can't get that, go for the R/T trim 2nd gen. They have what's called the "Magnum" head, which flows almost as well as the DOHC, and comes with an IMRC intake manifold, and shorty header stock.

And if you do get the mod bug, mods are obscenely cheap. Some guys have done the 2.4 swap under $500, and you can get either SRT-4 or the Mexi-Stratus parts to turbo it. Just lurk around the Neon forums (or a junkyard) a little and see how many parts you can get cheap, it's amazing.

[thomasdale2144]

well i gave my sister my current winter beater, 2000 Hyundai sonata gls 2.5l auto, so anything will be more fun to drive than that haha