What are some good, cheap AWD cars?

[avash]

I think you should be looking at something with ground clearance, vs a car if you want to drive through heavy snow. You'll run in to situations where even a couple of inches in ground clearance can make the difference between stuck and go. If you don't want to go the small SUV route, then your best bet is to get a Subaru Outback (Legacy or Impreza) as it's the closest you can get to a car but with the added ground clearance. You shouldn't rule out Subarus given what you are looking for.

Then, you should look at the AWD requirements. Subarus make really good AWD systems. The other "smart" systems like the one in the CR-V, Rav-4, Rogue, Suzuki, etc are usually more than adequate for the normal driver, but I don't know how "severe" your driving conditions are. If it's really that severe, you should probably be looking at getting dedicated winter tires.

Then, you should be looking at fuel economy. Fuel economy from a Subaru is pretty close to that of a small SUV. If fuel economy is a factor in your decision making, make sure you don't assume that the fuel economy is equal to vehicle size.

 

[HannibalX]

Originally posted by: avash

Originally posted by: iFX
Caliber. Although the 2009 model drops AWD so you need a 2006, 7 or 8.

Please do NOT buy a Caliber, unless you've test driven one and like it.
It was the 2nd worst thing I've ever driven, 1st being the Jeep Liberty!

Stop posting.

 

[SickBeast]

I'm gonna check out the forester. Thanks for the replies everyone. 🙂

 

[z1ggy]

I love my impreza.. I can really tell the dif. between front wheel and all wheel. Maybe if you want some snap in your car you could try an 05 or 06 wrx. Don't worry about the mileage you buy it at.. Try and save money...These cars will last a long long time if your treat 'em right. 🙂

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: z1ggy
I love my impreza.. I can really tell the dif. between front wheel and all wheel. Maybe if you want some snap in your car you could try an 05 or 06 wrx. Don't worry about the mileage you buy it at.. Try and save money...These cars will last a long long time if your treat 'em right. 🙂

How is your fuel economy on the highway? What's the interior like? Will tall people fit in that car? How big is the trunk? Thanks. 🙂

 

[funks]

for 25K, check out the 09 Lancer Ralliart..

It has AWD like it's EVO brother except it doesn't have SAYC (Super Active Yaw Control). It's drivetrain is pretty much like the EVO IX's.. It has the same exact engine as it's EVO brother (internals), except the turbo is slightly smaller. The transmission is the same dual cluch setup as the EVO MR.

http://www.edmunds.com/insidel...paros/articleId=128908

Give it better brakes, better tires something like Dunlop Direzza Star Specs) and you'll whoop ass with no issues.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: funks
for 25K, check out the 09 Lancer Ralliart..

It has AWD like it's EVO brother except it doesn't have SAYC (Super Active Yaw Control). It's drivetrain is pretty much like the EVO IX's.. It has the same exact engine as it's EVO brother (internals), except the turbo is slightly smaller. The transmission is the same dual cluch setup as the EVO MR.

http://www.edmunds.com/insidel...paros/articleId=128908

Give it better brakes, better tires something like Dunlop Direzza Star Specs) and you'll whoop ass with no issues.

First of all, you obviously didn't read the op. Second, the Ralliart sucks sompared to its competition.

 

[lurk3r]

If you're dead set in skipping the best awd cars (Subaru), the Matrix is available in awd, the honda mini suv is nice, Foresters actually tend to be cheaper than the other subies.

 

[sdifox]

Do you live in a small street that doesn't get ploughed? Is your 25k Canadian? Why no Subies? And there are no under C25k out the door new good AWD.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Audi...if you maint. it, it's the most reliable thing I have owned.

 

[Rustican]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
Are there any small cars comparable to a Civic with AWD? I've decided that front wheel drive just doesn't cut it for the conditions I drive in. Essentially, I want the ultimate winter commuter car for driving in heavy snow and icy conditions. I'd like to keep it under $25K.

I immediately thought of Subaru and Audi. I'm not a big fan of the Subarus, and the Audis are way overpriced and are not reliable at all.

What are some good options? Do Honda, Toyota, and Nissan even make a small AWD car?

Since you want a small winter car you need good clearance, heated surfaces and AWD + snow tires. At 25K your options are limited. You can look at used Audis or Volvo XC but their maintenance records are not that great. If you are buying new, then they are out of the question.

RAV4, Fore Excape or CRV if you want to drive a small suv. The Ford Fusion, Dodge Calibur also have AWD packages.

Any particular reason you don't want to look at Subarus? That's a company that's built their reputation on AWD. A Forrester, WRX or an Outback Sport should fit your bill. And there is a reason why they are so popular in the North East and North West of the US.

Lastly AWDs are not all equal. Just because a car has a AWD badge on it doesn't mean that they will perform like everything else out there. I recommend you do your research as see the different types. There are also performance videos on you tube.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: funks
for 25K, check out the 09 Lancer Ralliart..

It has AWD like it's EVO brother except it doesn't have SAYC (Super Active Yaw Control). It's drivetrain is pretty much like the EVO IX's.. It has the same exact engine as it's EVO brother (internals), except the turbo is slightly smaller. The transmission is the same dual cluch setup as the EVO MR.

http://www.edmunds.com/insidel...paros/articleId=128908

Give it better brakes, better tires something like Dunlop Direzza Star Specs) and you'll whoop ass with no issues.

First of all, you obviously didn't read the op. Second, the Ralliart sucks sompared to its competition.

Not to be too nitpicky, but the RA can be modded to and beyond stock EVO power levels without major issue. The motor can definitely take a ton of boost.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: iFX

Originally posted by: avash

Originally posted by: iFX
Caliber. Although the 2009 model drops AWD so you need a 2006, 7 or 8.

Please do NOT buy a Caliber, unless you've test driven one and like it.
It was the 2nd worst thing I've ever driven, 1st being the Jeep Liberty!

Stop posting.

IDK, I think it's pretty well established that the Caliber is the bottom-feeder in the class, along with almost all Dodge vehicles outside of Viper and Ram.

 

[MikeMike]

Pontiac Vibe... Toyota reliability w/ GM warranty... and its a really frickin nice, spacious car

 

[lurk3r]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: iFX

Originally posted by: avash

Originally posted by: iFX
Caliber. Although the 2009 model drops AWD so you need a 2006, 7 or 8.

Please do NOT buy a Caliber, unless you've test driven one and like it.
It was the 2nd worst thing I've ever driven, 1st being the Jeep Liberty!

Stop posting.

IDK, I think it's pretty well established that the Caliber is the bottom-feeder in the class, along with almost all Dodge vehicles outside of Viper and Ram.

+1 I've had a few people just love them, but way more absolutely hate it. One neighbour just got back from renting one in Florida (enterprise is always shit), Heater ... broken, AC ... Broken ... Radio .... Broken, on a car with <10k miles, oh and the passenger seatbelt didn't work, and the windows wouldn't go down.

 

[avash]

Originally posted by: lurk3r

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: iFX

Originally posted by: avash

Originally posted by: iFX
Caliber. Although the 2009 model drops AWD so you need a 2006, 7 or 8.

Please do NOT buy a Caliber, unless you've test driven one and like it.
It was the 2nd worst thing I've ever driven, 1st being the Jeep Liberty!

Stop posting.

IDK, I think it's pretty well established that the Caliber is the bottom-feeder in the class, along with almost all Dodge vehicles outside of Viper and Ram.

+1 I've had a few people just love them, but way more absolutely hate it. One neighbour just got back from renting one in Florida (enterprise is always shit), Heater ... broken, AC ... Broken ... Radio .... Broken, on a car with <10k miles, oh and the passenger seatbelt didn't work, and the windows wouldn't go down.

iFX, take a chill pill. OP's looking for advice on an open forum. It IS one of the worst vehicles I have driven compared to other vehicles in its class. I stated my opinion and told the OP to at least rely on his/her own judgment. If OP likes it, then buy one, I won't lose any sleep over it and neither should you.

I benchmark a lot of vehicles in my line of work and our fleet included a Dodge Caliber R/T AWD which is what you recommended. The 2.4L w/ CVT was buzzy & sluggish and completely not what I would've expected. The interior is very plasticky and as a driver who spends a good amount of time inside the car, the interior plays a big factor in choosing a vehicle. Sure, there were some novel ideas like the chill box and the fold up IPOD holder but that is not enough to make it a good vehicle. If someone were looking at a Caliber, I would recommend they try out a CR-V or a Rogue first as I have driven those before. I've heard that the Ford Escape is pretty nice as well but I have never driven one so I can't say.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: funks
for 25K, check out the 09 Lancer Ralliart..

It has AWD like it's EVO brother except it doesn't have SAYC (Super Active Yaw Control). It's drivetrain is pretty much like the EVO IX's.. It has the same exact engine as it's EVO brother (internals), except the turbo is slightly smaller. The transmission is the same dual cluch setup as the EVO MR.

http://www.edmunds.com/insidel...paros/articleId=128908

Give it better brakes, better tires something like Dunlop Direzza Star Specs) and you'll whoop ass with no issues.

First of all, you obviously didn't read the op. Second, the Ralliart sucks sompared to its competition.

Not to be too nitpicky, but the RA can be modded to and beyond stock EVO power levels without major issue. The motor can definitely take a ton of boost.

So can many other cars but out of the box it's lacking.

 

[mafia]

Subaru Legacy would be my recommendation. It is a very reliable car and has one of the best AWD systems in the market.

 

[vshah]

forrester/cr-v/rav-4 /thread

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
Audi...if you maint. it, it's the most reliable thing I have owned.

op did say cheap...

 

[DivideBYZero]

Rav 4/CRV/Impreza(non-turbo).

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: funks
for 25K, check out the 09 Lancer Ralliart..

It has AWD like it's EVO brother except it doesn't have SAYC (Super Active Yaw Control). It's drivetrain is pretty much like the EVO IX's.. It has the same exact engine as it's EVO brother (internals), except the turbo is slightly smaller. The transmission is the same dual cluch setup as the EVO MR.

http://www.edmunds.com/insidel...paros/articleId=128908

Give it better brakes, better tires something like Dunlop Direzza Star Specs) and you'll whoop ass with no issues.

First of all, you obviously didn't read the op. Second, the Ralliart sucks sompared to its competition.

Not to be too nitpicky, but the RA can be modded to and beyond stock EVO power levels without major issue. The motor can definitely take a ton of boost.

op is looking for winter commuter car, not pocket rocket.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: mafia
Subaru Legacy would be my recommendation. It is a very reliable car and has one of the best AWD systems in the market.

I almost bought one...Ended up with an 06 MB E350 4Matic from USA instead for less. Will probably try to get a cheap one once my Protege5 bites the dust.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
Audi...if you maint. it, it's the most reliable thing I have owned.

op did say cheap...

Yeah plus my sister just got an Audi A4 and she's had all sorts of problems with it already. Not only that, but IMO my Civic is a better car overall in terms of performance, fuel economy, and handling. I just like the interior and the heated leather seats in her car. For everything else I would take the Civic, aside from the AWD of course. 🙂

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: zerocool84

Originally posted by: funks
for 25K, check out the 09 Lancer Ralliart..

It has AWD like it's EVO brother except it doesn't have SAYC (Super Active Yaw Control). It's drivetrain is pretty much like the EVO IX's.. It has the same exact engine as it's EVO brother (internals), except the turbo is slightly smaller. The transmission is the same dual cluch setup as the EVO MR.

http://www.edmunds.com/insidel...paros/articleId=128908

Give it better brakes, better tires something like Dunlop Direzza Star Specs) and you'll whoop ass with no issues.

First of all, you obviously didn't read the op. Second, the Ralliart sucks sompared to its competition.

Not to be too nitpicky, but the RA can be modded to and beyond stock EVO power levels without major issue. The motor can definitely take a ton of boost.

op is looking for winter commuter car, not pocket rocket.

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend the Lancer to the OP, just saying that the RA is more moddable than most other entry-level turbo 4-bangers due to them using basically the same motor in the full-blown Evo. IIRC, the WRX and STI have significant differences to the motor internals and some other key drivetrain differences (tranny for sure, diff as well?).