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Recommend me an inexpensive, reliable AWD vehicle

mmntech

mmntech

Lifer
I've got a job opportunity out west. Haven't been offered it yet but it's out in central Alberta. They get bad winters. If I decide to move, I don't think my Civic is going to cut it. So I think an AWD/4x4 vehicle might be in the cards.

I'm not hugely worried about fuel efficiency since gas is cheaper out there. I need it to have automatic transmission. I want air conditioning, cruise, and a CD player.

It needs to be cheap. Say I make $30k/yr at this job and I don't want to finance anything over 48 months. Reliability and low cost of ownership are key too, since the job involves a lot of travelling. I don't care if it's used. Let's set the maximum price at $25,000. Ideally I'd like to pay no more than $400/month.

Here's some I've been looking at
-Suzuki SX4
-Jeep Wrangler
-Ford Ranger 4.0L 4x4
-Jeep Compass
-Subaru Impreza
 
Imprezas have nice AWD, but ground clearance in line with civics. I'd go with a pickup or small SUV

And if you're making ~30k, you don't want a $400 car payment. You should be looking more at 10-15k. A 15k note over 48 mos is already like $350ish

Look at mid 2000's Toyota tundra/tacoma/4runner/highlander 4wd with lower miles. Reliable, cheap, capable, and should be great in winter.
 
yh125d said:
Imprezas have nice AWD, but ground clearance in line with civics. I'd go with a pickup or small SUV

And if you're making ~30k, you don't want a $400 car payment. You should be looking more at 10-15k. A 15k note over 48 mos is already like $350ish

Look at mid 2000's Toyota tundra/tacoma/4runner/highlander 4wd with lower miles. Reliable, cheap, capable, and should be great in winter.
Click to expand...

AWD is far greater than 4WD for on-road commuting in winter conditions. I hated the 4WD in my truck. I was shifting in and of 4WD fifty times during my commute as the road conditions changed.
 
Jumpem said:
AWD is far greater than 4WD for on-road commuting in winter conditions. I hated the 4WD in my truck. I was shifting in and of 4WD fifty times during my commute as the road conditions changed.
Click to expand...

Yup, I agree that AWD is better for what the OP wants than a 4wd system without a center differential. The few vehicles with a "full time" 4wd system that can be left on even on dry pavement aren't any that the OP is considering. The ranger and the wrangler both will have "part time" 4wd so those probably aren't as good of fits.

Also, unless they've made some major improvements in jeep tops lately, the standard soft top on the wrangler isn't going to be as nice during the winter as a real roof.
 
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Are going to be driving around on pavement in the flat part of Alberta? I might recommend keeping the Civic and buying a very good set of snow tires.
 
mmntech said:
I've got a job opportunity out west. Haven't been offered it yet but it's out in central Alberta. They get bad winters. If I decide to move, I don't think my Civic is going to cut it. So I think an AWD/4x4 vehicle might be in the cards.

I'm not hugely worried about fuel efficiency since gas is cheaper out there. I need it to have automatic transmission. I want air conditioning, cruise, and a CD player.

It needs to be cheap. Say I make $30k/yr at this job and I don't want to finance anything over 48 months. Reliability and low cost of ownership are key too, since the job involves a lot of travelling. I don't care if it's used. Let's set the maximum price at $25,000. Ideally I'd like to pay no more than $400/month.

Here's some I've been looking at
-Suzuki SX4
-Jeep Wrangler
-Ford Ranger 4.0L 4x4
-Jeep Compass
-Subaru Impreza
Click to expand...

How could you pay $400 a month with a $30k job?

I wouldn't choose any of those. I'd get a Liberty with the FULL TIME 4WD option (aka AWD)
 
Get a Subaru of some sort. A Impreza or Forester would be perfect for what you need. The Forester adds some ground clearance if that's a concern, and is a bit larger inside as well. Either of them will get mpg's in the 20's.

However whatever car you get you'll need to invest in snow tires. AWD or not with that much snow it's just a better idea to get snows for winter. I've no idea how warm it gets there in the summer, but you may have to change tires for that season as well.
 
I'd go with an Impreza or Forester. Hell you could get a WRX or Forester XT for well within your budget (like..half).
 
A lot of recommendations for Subaru but not one for the Outback? The Outback has as much ground clearance as most SUVs out there.
 
Why wouldn't you just try snow-tires on your Civic??? Also I wouldn't get an Impreza if you're worried about snow. It has around the same ground clearance as a Civic. You should look into something like the Outback.
 
Landrover Defender! Everytime, I love them I will own one soon.

Land-Rover-Defender.jpg
 
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