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Recommend me an inexpensive, reliable AWD vehicle

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Subaru Forester, great in the snow. I drove mine through nearly a foot of snow a couple of weeks ago using cheap all-weather tires (snow tires would even be better).
 
I'll chime in...I own a 2009 SX4 up here in Canada and have been nothing but pleased with the performance and handling of it. It is unstoppable in the snow because of the AWD but also the ability lock the differential. Subaru and most of the other cars you mentioned don't give you this option.

I was comparing it with the impreza when I bought and a couple things turned me off the Subaru:

1. the handling is not very good, you sit really low, and the interior is crap. It couldn't hold a candle to the SX4 in terms of performance, drive, fit and finish and handling when I tested them back to back.
2. the gas milage is worse.
3. the finance rates were high.
4. alot less options for the money.

The good thing about Suzuki is you can get these SX4s pretty cheap with 72 month 0% financing. Try that with the Subaru.

Anyways, I haven't had a single problem with my SX4 and I drive it pretty hard. The build quality is superb on them and is really an underrated car---look up any publication and you'll see the praises for it. And the one that said Suzuki's have crappy reliability, you should look up the scores...according to true delta and CR, the SX4 is considered one of the most reliable vehicles in its class. Plus its built in Japan.

BTW I sold my 2005 Ranger to buy the SX4--First, the Ranger was TERRIBLE in the snow and second it was a PIG on gas. This was the 4 cylinder too, I couldn't imagine the 4.0L. I would stay away from these if you plan on driving in the snow often. Get a F-150 instead for a bit more money.
 
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bigshot said:
I'll chime in...I own a 2009 SX4 up here in Canada and have been nothing but pleased with the performance and handling of it. It is unstoppable in the snow because of the AWD but also the ability lock the differential. Subaru and most of the other cars you mentioned don't give you this option.

I was comparing it with the impreza when I bought and a couple things turned me off the Subaru:

1. the handling is not very good, you sit really low, and the interior is crap. It couldn't hold a candle to the SX4 in terms of performance, drive, fit and finish and handling when I tested them back to back.
2. the gas milage is worse.
3. the finance rates were high.
4. alot less options for the money.

The good thing about Suzuki is you can get these SX4s pretty cheap with 72 month 0% financing. Try that with the Subaru.

Anyways, I haven't had a single problem with my SX4 and I drive it pretty hard. The build quality is superb on them and is really an underrated car---look up any publication and you'll see the praises for it. And the one that said Suzuki's have crappy reliability, you should look up the scores...according to true delta and CR, the SX4 is considered one of the most reliable vehicles in its class. Plus its built in Japan.

BTW I sold my 2005 Ranger to buy the SX4--First, the Ranger was TERRIBLE in the snow and second it was a PIG on gas. This was the 4 cylinder too, I couldn't imagine the 4.0L. I would stay away from these if you plan on driving in the snow often. Get a F-150 instead for a bit more money.
Click to expand...

The SX4 is built all over the place...some are built in Japan. 😀
 
Unless you'll be living on a farm with a long driveway, AWD will likely not be that important. They got snow plows in Alberta to keep the Highways clear.
 
It doesn't really snow much in alberta unless you're in the mountains proper. 4x4 isn't really necessary, but winter tires are a good idea at the least... the dry pack gets pretty slippery.

I'd get something quattro, but you could pretend to be a local and get another fucking halfton.
 
Get a Subaru. Their whole reputation is based on AWD.
An Impreza (Outback Sport), Outback or Forrester will serve you well in winder conditions. Regardless of what you get, put snow tiers on.
 
To keep it simple I'd just get good snow tires, General Altimax studded from CDN tire and they frequently go on sale and get the second set of rims.
IF it isn't good enough, then pursue an AWD vehicle and an SX4 is your cheapest bang for buck option.
Subies are quality choices and the car based SUV's, rav's crv equinoxes foresters etc are appropriate too, once in Alberta Chevs and Ford will be the cheapest on the used market because of dealer saturation and NA depreciation
 
Comparing hatch to hatch?

Now that I've had time to, looks like a similar equiped Subaru is 1000 more, however the Subaru has more HP but worse gas mileage, better resale. . . Don't know what the insurance would be.

If I was truly interested I'd look deeper
 
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ShawnD1 said:
I'm looking at Suzuki's website and it doesn't look that much cheaper than an Impreza. Suzuki SX4 with manual and all wheel drive is $21,735 CDN before tax. Subaru Impreza base model with manual is $20,995 CDN before tax.

http://www.suzuki.ca/automotive?province=ON&culture=en-CA#
http://subaru.ca/WebPage.aspx?WebSiteID=282
Click to expand...

not really the same options. if anything, the 5 door hatch comparable is the convience package--22,895

Suzuki comes with steering wheel controls (i couldnt believe how much i like this option), leather wheel, 6 speed, trip computer, block heater, thicker tires, bigger alloys (I think Subaru comes with hubcaps), etc...that is the base model. for 21995.

Anyways the money you'll save on financing is huge (that is if you dont have a down payment) and you should be able to get a better deal at a suzuki dealer rather than at subaru. But for resale, Suzuki won't match Subaru, however Suzuki isn't too bad themselves.
 
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