[BlackedOutBimmer]

Will be buying a "beater" for both winter driving (live here in PA) and just to lessen wear and tear on the bimmer.

I don't want to buy a complete POS, and have it leave me stranded somewhere in 3ft of snow, and always will be using it for another daily driver from time to time.

I don't "NEED" 4x4 or AWD, as I have had 2 FWD cars before and never had too many problems driving in snow... and its not like it snows EVERYDAY here in PA... but I still would want a 4x4 or AWD if the price is right.



I was originally going to get a small truck or SUV, but now I am not so sure...

What am I currently learn towards is some type of subaru, decent car, decent gas mileage, and AWD - I would be rockin' an Imprezza OR a wagon

Not trying to spend more than $4,000.

Other suggestions? something practical and reliable, not horrible on gas, can travel in all weather (not asking to climb a 25% grade on a sheet of ice or anything), and is not awful to look at aka a PT Cruiser or something awful like that

[BTM]

4.0L Jeep Cherokee with as little/no rust as you can find

[BlackedOutBimmer]

Originally Posted by BTM

4.0L Jeep Cherokee with as little/no rust as you can find

I was looking at them as well, always liked jeeps... I don't get why wrangler's are so expensive... a '95 w/ over 100k and its still almost 10grand?

But with the Cherokee's, how reliable are they? hear the back ends go out on them? maybe not? This is definitely a vehicle I have been considering as well... just need to know more about "jeeps" and their reliablity.. or lack thereof...

[kyleb350]

Can you even get one of those in decent condition for under 4k?

[BTM]

The drivetrains have a bulletproof reputation, it's the same 4.0L as the Wrangler. Rust is the biggest factor, but for your price range, you can find a clean one.

[BlackedOutBimmer]

Originally Posted by kyleb350

Can you even get one of those in decent condition for under 4k?

Oh yes. I've seen them rust free, with maybe 150k, inspected, and whatnot for as low as 1200-1500 bucks... craigslist, yup

Now I spend a little more than that, and get one a little nicer, but they are much cheaper than you would think

[Silver-Bolt]

Subaru.

[mtla4]

Sentra,Altima,Corolla, Civic 1 way insurance, cheap on gas

[abisson]

Why do you need a beater for a 328, and a PA winter? It is not like you are living in Norway...

[MR///M3]

Originally Posted by abisson

Why do you need a beater for a 328, and a PA winter? It is not like you are living in Norway...

Lol +1.. get some winter tires

[swaite]

1988-1991 RT4WD Honda Civic wagon. You should be able to pick up one of the nicer examples at that price. A seriously fine piece of machinery. I love telling people I have an AWD Civic wagon. The look on their faces is priceless.

[BlackedOutBimmer]

Originally Posted by abisson

Why do you need a beater for a 328, and a PA winter? It is not like you are living in Norway...

It is not just a winter beater, I just want a 2nd car for daily driving as well...

I realize I may not have an M3 or super modded-up 335, but I enjoy my car very much, the salt on the roads alone in the winter time are enough to f a car up, not to mention all the dings and scraches you get from the salt/gravel.

I also plan on trading my car in in 2 or 3 years, perhaps right before my CPO expires and the better condition I keep my car = more $.

I also have a cabin I go to and winter tires or not, a RWD 328 isn't going up a moutain trail covered in snow in the middle of january.


Plus also too, I like my car a lot and like keeping my car in good condition. So sue me...

[BlackedOutBimmer]

Originally Posted by swaite

1988-1991 RT4WD Honda Civic wagon. You should be able to pick up one of the nicer examples at that price. A seriously fine piece of machinery. I love telling people I have an AWD Civic wagon. The look on their faces is priceless.

THIS interest me very much, I knw they made civic wagons, did not know they were AWD.

Also looked at an AWD infiniti, it was like a '96 or something, looked pretty sweet ha. Not sure how those older infi's are for reliablity.

Will autotrade or similiar search for an AWD civic...

[BlackedOutBimmer]

Originally Posted by MR///M3

Lol +1.. get some winter tires

I am....

Read my other post as to my other reasons for a beater..

I may not have an M3, but still would like another DD vehicle.

[ragingclue]

+1 on the Cherokee 4.0L.

[mbanshchikov]

Hey I'm also looking for a winter car. I've looked at a lot of Subarus. You can get a Forester or an Outback in good shape for about 4k. Just make sure that the timing belt/water pump have been changed (they are due at 95k on the H4 engines). The H6 engines have a timing chain

[BlackedOutBimmer]

Originally Posted by mbanshchikov

Hey I'm also looking for a winter car. I've looked at a lot of Subarus. You can get a Forester or an Outback in good shape for about 4k. Just make sure that the timing belt/water pump have been changed (they are due at 95k on the H4 engines). The H6 engines have a timing chain

yea these seem to be a great way to go, but I really didn't look into the Subaru "problems" ... thanks for the heads up on the timing belt and water pump!

I have also considered buying a wrecked imprezza and fixing it up myself - both to save money and learn more about working on cars (I can do the basics, but am not going to learn how to re-do suspension on my Bimmer) but am not so sure if it is even really worth it to me.


A forrestor wagon with snow tires would be amazing

[koreez88]

Anything non-M should be daily-driveable IMO. BMW's do great during winters as long as you have good set of tires.

[bmwcoupeftw]

As said, get some very good winter tires. Like the best ones.

RWD + Winter = fun

Now I dont know the condition in US, but if you wash your car once a week ( Thats what I do when its winter) and try to wash under it aswell, then its little or no problem.

[BlackedOutBimmer]

Originally Posted by koreez88

Anything non-M should be daily-driveable IMO. BMW's do great during winters as long as you have good set of tires.

I don't agree with that at all. Just beacuse it is daily-driveABLE, does not mean it should be driven daily.


when I was 16 years old, I have a '98 Mitsu eclipse w/ body kit, wheels, blah , blah , blah...Did NOT consider my car a daily driver... even though it really was, as I only drove another vehicle once or twice a week, if that. My eclipse was a $14,000 car on its best day, with me only getting about 8,000 when it got totaled (not my fault)


If I had a Lambo, a Rolls, and a BMW, then by all means my BMW would be my daily driver.

However, that is not my case... my BMW IS my lambo per-se. I want to take care of my car, even if it is "only" a 328. Driving it in the snow=me NOT taking care of it IMO.

[ZJP]

Jeep Cherokee Sport (XJ model)

I'm actually looking into buying one for winter myself. Search Craigslist, you can grab a nice one in decent condition easily under $4k. Throw on a lift kit and some 30" tires and you'll be unstoppable in the winter months.

Example:

[BlackedOutBimmer]

Originally Posted by ZJP

Jeep Cherokee Sport (XJ model)

I'm actually looking into buying one for winter myself. Search Craigslist, you can grab a nice one in decent condition easily under $4k. Throw on a lift kit and some 30" tires and you'll be unstoppable in the winter months.

Example:

trust me, i have been looking into a lifted jeep as well

only thing is gas with them, as a subaru would get way better mileage, but a lifted jeep would be so badass.

I search craigslist practically everyday and have come across a few lifted jeeps that I have liked... I guess i just need to pull the trigger on one.

Would def try to get one that already has all lift/tires/etc already done.