Open-ended question: Winter beater for $4-6k. What should I get?

DaBean · 01-10-2016, 04:38 PM

As the title says, I'm looking for a winter beater that costs $4-6k... any recommendations? (super open-ended). Only requirement is that the car be 4WD/AWD.

Bonus is the car is 2005+

DocWeatherington · 01-10-2016, 04:43 PM

Used Police Interceptor

Be it Vic, Impala, Tahoe, Expedition, Charger...

But the VIC would probably be the most fun

///F80M3 · 01-10-2016, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBean

As the title says, I'm looking for a winter beater that costs $4-6k... any recommendations? (super open-ended).

Bonus is the car is 2005+

Winter beater in CA?

DaBean · 01-10-2016, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///F80M3

Winter beater in CA?

To get up to the mountains to ski.

We're having a good year this year, so I got a season pass...

///F80M3 · 01-10-2016, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBean

To get up to the mountains to ski.

We're having a good year this year, so I got a season pass...

Try to get a small suv.

DaBean · 01-10-2016, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///F80M3

Try to get a small suv.

Yes.

But I'm looking for a bit more specifics...

shawshank772 · 01-10-2016, 05:01 PM

Toyota 4runner.

myzmak · 01-10-2016, 05:06 PM

Winter tires and rims.

Pocket the difference and get some new skis too.

DaBean · 01-10-2016, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myzmak

Winter tires and rims.

Pocket the difference and get some new skis too.

What was my setup on the E46, but California has strict regulations, and event winter tires don't cut it when they mandate chains - unless you have an AWD vehicle... So unfortunately, the M4 is out of consideration for this duty. Which sucks...

Edit - and I just got new skis

myzmak · 01-10-2016, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBean

What was my setup on the E46, but California has strict regulations, and event winter tires don't cut it when they mandate chains - unless you have an AWD vehicle... So unfortunately, the M4 is out of consideration for this duty. Which sucks...

Edit - and I just got new skis

Nice, what did you get?

(i was just skiing some new Rossi soul 7's all week

)

anyway, I thought cali just required either chains or proper winter tires (eg with the correct ratings) on those "chain" days...?

DaBean · 01-10-2016, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myzmak

Nice, what did you get?

(i was just skiing some new Rossi soul 7's all week

)

anyway, I thought cali just required either chains or proper winter tires (eg with the correct ratings) on those "chain" days...?

Actually you're right - they do. I remember reading that my snow tires wouldn't cut it - either I was wrong, or they changed it. I'm still thinking I might be better off with a cheapo SUV or Subaru or something that I care less about, with a hatch for more space... From my experience driving my E46 in the snow in Pittsburgh, snow tires make it easy to do so. But hills aren't great, and driving up to the mountains sure counts as hills... Food for thought.

I'm unfortunately kind of in a hurry - was planning on renting cars all winter long, and found a great deal with Sixt. When I got there, NONE of their SUVs or other cars had AWD, and there's no way to request that. And all other companies charge at least $150 per day for these types of vehicles... so...

Skis: I got some 2015 Salomon Q105s with AT bindings for the odd time I do backcountry. Got them back in September before the season started, so got it all for >50% off

PayamFSU · 01-10-2016, 05:55 PM

subi

DaBean · 01-10-2016, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PayamFSU

subi

How do you like your x-runner? Why would you recommend Subi over that / 4Runner?

teefive · 01-10-2016, 07:43 PM

Subaru Outback/Forester

I love 4Runners Tacomas etc, but most of them for $4-$5k are junk (at least in my area)

gonoyaro11 · 01-10-2016, 07:46 PM

Take bus/subway.

Ray knight · 01-10-2016, 08:48 PM

i would lease a new base model Impreza. reliable, and cost not much different than buying a throw away beater.

joeyb26 · 01-10-2016, 09:12 PM

get an older model forester/impreza hatch and call it a day. my family has had several and they've all been reliable and will be perfect for what you're intending to use them for

KevinM · 01-10-2016, 09:25 PM

Get an older 4WD Honda CRV. Those things last forever.

W/// · 01-10-2016, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teefive

Subaru Outback/Forester

I love 4Runners Tacomas etc, but most of them for $4-$5k are junk (at least in my area)

Even the junk ones will keep running forever.

I bought a 97 4Runner with almost 300k miles for $3000 about 4 years ago. Put about $2k into it and it's still running now. The plan is obviously to run it until the wheels fall off, but at this point, I feel like I've already got my money's worth.

PayamFSU · 01-11-2016, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBean

Quote:

Originally Posted by PayamFSU

subi

How do you like your x-runner? Why would you recommend Subi over that / 4Runner?

my x runner has been a lot of fun and done double duty pulling the boat and previously filling my need for spirited driving. it will be impossible to find a 4x4 yota for 5. Subis are good cars.

humbertin0 · 01-11-2016, 12:19 AM

I used to own a B5 S4 and sold it a couple years ago. I'm actually looking to buy another one as a "winter beater". They are in the 4-6k range.

Also B5 or B6 A4 is in that price range.

BrokenVert · 01-11-2016, 12:31 AM

Stick Honda Element.

What? I think they're kinda cool....

01-10-2016, 04:38 PM	#1
DaBean Sakhir Smurf 314 Rep 594 Posts Drives: Plaid, F82 M4, E46 M3, Sequoia Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 'Merica iTrader: (0) Garage List 2002 BMW X5 4.4i [0.00] 2015 BMW M4 [0.00] 2004 BMW M3 [0.00]	Open-ended question: Winter beater for $4-6k. What should I get? As the title says, I'm looking for a winter beater that costs $4-6k... any recommendations? (super open-ended). Only requirement is that the car be 4WD/AWD. Bonus is the car is 2005+ __________________ 2015 M4: Sakhir on Sakhir \| M-DCT \| Adaptive Suspension \| Lighting \| Executive \| Cameras \| HK Sound \| Full Leather 2004 M3: Laguna Seca Blue \| SMGII \| Basic track mods: 18" Square setup on R888s / Performance Friction rotors / SS Lines / Ground Control Street/Track Kit / DTC-60 Pads NASA NorCal Instructor Last edited by DaBean; 01-10-2016 at 04:47 PM..
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01-10-2016, 04:43 PM	#2
DocWeatherington Brigadier General 3357 Rep 4,391 Posts Drives: F90 CP Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: US iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 XM [10.00]	Used Police Interceptor Be it Vic, Impala, Tahoe, Expedition, Charger... But the VIC would probably be the most fun
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01-10-2016, 05:01 PM	#7
shawshank772 Major 123 Rep 1,158 Posts Drives: 08 135i and 16 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Chicago iTrader: (1)	Toyota 4runner.
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01-10-2016, 05:06 PM	#8
myzmak Advocatus Douchebagus. Sex Marxist. 2423 Rep 3,415 Posts Drives: Lucy. Join Date: May 2012 Location: Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 F80 M3 [10.00] 2013 MB E350 Wagon [10.00]	Winter tires and rims. Pocket the difference and get some new skis too. __________________ Drivin' Lucy
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01-10-2016, 05:55 PM	#12
PayamFSU Captain 214 Rep 921 Posts Drives: 2018 F80 ZCP YMB Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Gainesville, FL iTrader: (3)	subi __________________ 2018 F80 ZCP 6MT YMB/SO 2015 F82 M4 6MT AW/SO - SOLD
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01-10-2016, 07:43 PM	#14
teefive Lieutenant 210 Rep 497 Posts Drives: G05 X5 40i Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: MN iTrader: (0)	Subaru Outback/Forester I love 4Runners Tacomas etc, but most of them for $4-$5k are junk (at least in my area)
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01-10-2016, 07:46 PM	#15
gonoyaro11 Captain 66 Rep 862 Posts Drives: Woo Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: 426907 iTrader: (8)	Take bus/subway.
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01-10-2016, 08:48 PM	#16
Ray knight Lieutenant 239 Rep 512 Posts Drives: LBB F85 X5M Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: NE Ohio iTrader: (1)	i would lease a new base model Impreza. reliable, and cost not much different than buying a throw away beater.
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01-10-2016, 09:12 PM	#17
joeyb26 Captain 296 Rep 790 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i xDrive Join Date: May 2013 Location: North NJ iTrader: (1)	get an older model forester/impreza hatch and call it a day. my family has had several and they've all been reliable and will be perfect for what you're intending to use them for __________________ 2016 340i xDrive 6MT (regretfully sold) 2020 M340i xDrive
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01-10-2016, 09:25 PM	#18
KevinM Brigadier General 3067 Rep 3,323 Posts Drives: 2002 M5;2007 M Coupe;2020 M2C Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Tucson iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 M2 Competition [10.00] 2007 E86 M coupe [8.40] 2002 E39 M5 [9.50]	Get an older 4WD Honda CRV. Those things last forever. __________________ 2020 F87 M2C Hockenheim Silver/MT 2002 E39 M5 Sterling Gray/Caramel 2007 E86 Z4M Coupe Silver Gray/Black 2021 Kia Telluride (hauler)
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01-11-2016, 12:19 AM	#21
humbertin0 Banned 89 Rep 440 Posts Drives: 2017 M4 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: United States iTrader: (22)	I used to own a B5 S4 and sold it a couple years ago. I'm actually looking to buy another one as a "winter beater". They are in the 4-6k range. Also B5 or B6 A4 is in that price range.
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01-11-2016, 12:31 AM	#22
BrokenVert Resident Kerbalnaut 484 Rep 10,703 Posts Drives: Topless Brute/Hybrid Boogaloo Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fahrvergnügen/NY iTrader: (0)	Stick Honda Element. What? I think they're kinda cool.... __________________
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