Joey Hates Winter, Looking for a New Car

[LeadFootLiam]

Import an Evo.

 

[Sage Ages]

Import an Evo.

Why would he have to import it? Evo came to the US in 2004 if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Doodle]

Import an Evo.

Doesn't sound very reliable.

 

[YSSMAN]

Why would he have to import it? Evo came to the US in 2004 if I'm not mistaken.

Incredibly uncommon compared to STi models around where Joey and I live. Unless you go to Grand Valley. Then they're practically falling out of the parking garages.

 

[MedigoFlame]

There's real appeal problems in a just released car with a recently abandoned dealer network. Even new Oldsmobiles were hard to get serviced after 2003, and almost all of those were rebodied Buicks.

My brother bought his SX4 during the time the local dealer started clearing out their inventory. I suppose it's rather dependant on the dealer themselves to take care of the vehicle as our local one is still around selling used cars, but still servicing Suzuki's.

 

[TheBook]

Incredibly uncommon compared to STi models around where Joey and I live. Unless you go to Western. Then they're practically falling out of the parking garages.

Fixed. There are at least a dozen that I know of in the area. That said, there are countless Imprezas of various generations around. I'd go for one of them.

Off-the-wall suggestion: 2011-up Dodge Charger AWD? The interior redesign actually makes it a halfway decent place to be, and even the V6 makes 300 horsepower. Not sure if they've dipped below $20K yet, though.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

I sat in a 2012 Charger SRT8 and thought the interior was pretty bad. I have high standards, though.

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

So, I'm sick of West Michigan winters and not being able to even make it out of my neighborhood due to snow, ice and whatever else Mother Nature thinks we need. I've been stuck several times this year, even with snow tires so it's time I throw in the towel and get some AWD and more weatherproof.

Smart man. You are going to love having AWD instead of FWD. MASSIVE difference in the winter. Especially if you install snow tires.

From another person that lives in Michigan, you know where I stand on this topic. WRX Wagon or Outback. My WRX has been one of THE best vehicles I have owned for this brutal winter. Never got stuck at all and at times was pushing well over a foot or two of snow with this car. Its also nice having heated seats and front wiper defroster. Some also have heated mirrors.

Audi A4 would be very nice.
The Ford Fusion looks pretty nice too. I always forget that is AWD.

 

[Joey D]

@MedigoFlame: I actually know nothing about the Kizashi other than it has a name I haven't the foggiest idea how to pronounce. There's some on AutoTrader in the area but they all seem rather pricey for whatever reason, it would still be worth checking out though, even if it's just to rule them out. Like Tornado said though, I'd be worried about getting it serviced somewhere.

@YSSMAN: That's good to hear about Prestige Imports, I'm sure I could do various things myself on European cars but for the most part I'd rather just pay someone else to do it.

@LeadFootLiam: Why would I import an Evo? As other's have mentioned they were actually sold in the US. I wouldn't want a Mitsubishi though, there's no where to get that services anywhere. I wasn't even aware Mitsubishi's were still sold in the US until I saw a booth at the Grand Rapids auto show with one, very tiny car that had an engine the size of my shoe. Plus importing anything into the US is expensive and mostly illegal unless it's old.

@TheBook: I found a Dodge Charger R/T with AWD, and while 386hp and AWD is tempting, I don't think I'd want to own a Charger. They're from a time when Chrysler made awful cars.

@CAMAROBOY69: Whatever car I end up will get snow tires for sure since I work in the healthcare field and typically need to be at work no matter what the weather. Ideally if I was going to get a Subaru it'd be a WRX wagon, but I hadn't really thought about the Outback, I suppose I could turn it into a battle wagon of sorts.

======

So I should have Friday afternoon off since my boss told me I've worked too many hours so I'm going to go and drive cars. So far I have a Fusion Sport AWD, an Audi A4, and a Mercedes C300 all lines up to drive. I'll keep browsing the web between now and then to see what else I can come up with.

 

[MedigoFlame]

@MedigoFlame: I actually know nothing about the Kizashi other than it has a name I haven't the foggiest idea how to pronounce. There's some on AutoTrader in the area but they all seem rather pricey for whatever reason, it would still be worth checking out though, even if it's just to rule them out. Like Tornado said though, I'd be worried about getting it serviced somewhere.

It's not my only suggestion, but just another option that I thought I'd throw in. There was a recall for the 2010 models for...um...having their doors come off during a crash. Considering their age and how they were originally meant to be the luxury sports sedan competitor to Audi and Mercedes, I would say that they probably haven't dropped too much in price. But you are right to be concerned with dealers as I don't know about the Michigan area's Suzuki dealers being around to help out. Although considering that one of your requirements was a somewhat sporty vehicle, it wouldn't be a bad choice. I've driven one back when they first came out and it was pretty good fun. Well refined for a Suzuki, it's just that it punched well above itself and failed in doing so for marketing. I wouldn't know how the car would be in the long term though. (Of course it's always helpful to look up forums) The AWD system is similar to that of the SX4 of which I have driven during a large snow storm and it was fantastic.

From a much more personal view, a Mazdaspeed 6 wouldn't be so bad. Although that isn't a post 2008 car. Sorry, just a slight obsession over Mazda6's.

 

[Doog]

@TheBook: I found a Dodge Charger R/T with AWD, and while 386hp and AWD is tempting, I don't think I'd want to own a Charger. They're from a time when Chrysler made awful cars.

I just wanna point out that this is the 2011-up Charger @TheBook was referring to.

...and this is the pre-2011 Charger that came from when Chrysler made awful cars.

Unless, of course, you think the new Charger is awful too.

 

[Slash]

I thought he hated muscle cars?

 

[Jahgee]

28K, 112 Miles, only thing it doesn't have is AWD

 

[Sage Ages]

Outback doesn't seem like a bad idea.

 

[Jahgee]

Or this one, 270K miles for 8K and it's in Michigan already

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

@Jahgee1124
That is not AWD. His car must be AWD.

 

[SVX]

And, erm, it's a limo too...

 

[Jahgee]

@Jahgee1124
That is not AWD. His car must be AWD.

I did say that AWD was the only drawback.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

VW R32 and the Saab 9-3x/9-2x are good options IMHO. And when talking about reliability.. Well, that is always up to the owners habits regarding the maintenance.

 

[Joey D]

@MedigoFlame: The Mazdaspeed 6 is probably the only Mazda I would consider, too bad I don't think very many were sold in Michigan so trying to find one to even test drive is pretty difficult.

@Doog: I think all the Chargers I've found have been pre-2011 so from the awful period, their newer generations are better but I still don't think it would want one.

@Jahgee1124: Why would I want a limo?

@Leonidae@MFT: I really like the 9-3X and the R32, I just hope I can drive both soon to see how I like them.

 

[MedigoFlame]

It wasn't really a serious suggestion and going through Mazda 6 forums, I've found that the turboed 2.3L doesn't last quite as long as the NA. On the other hand...another idea that just popped into my head. (a little more serious...I suppose) How about a second generation Lexus IS250 AWD? Don't entirely know the pricing on those, but I suppose that could be something to look at?

 

[Slash]

@Jahgee1124: Why would I want a limo?

The better question would be where the hell are you going to park it?

 

[Adamgp]

Not trying to be rude, but wouldn't it be more cost effective to keep the car you have and enroll in a winter driving school?

 

[homeforsummer]

Not trying to be rude, but wouldn't it be more cost effective to keep the car you have and enroll in a winter driving school?

To be fair, if traction is the only issue he's having, then no amount of training will really help with that.

Not that training isn't a good idea anyway, but it essentially sounds like his car on winter tires just isn't cut out for slippery conditions.

 

[Adamgp]

To be fair, if traction is the only issue he's having, then no amount of training will really help with that.

Not that training isn't a good idea anyway, but it essentially sounds like his car on winter tires just isn't cut out for slippery conditions.

If traction is the only issue, then an even cheaper solution is to carry a bag of this in the trunk:

 

[Joey D]

@MedigoFlame: Hmm, IS250 sounds like an option. I've seen a couple of them pop up on AutoTrader although I know nothing about them. Worth a drive though.

@Adamgp: If you would have read the first post you'd see that my current car is going to my wife and we are getting rid of her car that's more or less junk. Since one of us have to get a new car, I figured I'd give her the newer one that's paid off since she likes it and I would get something a little older but with AWD so we could get through the snow. Also I do a vast majority of the driving so it makes sense I have the more weather resistant car.

Driver's training really isn't an issue for me, 10 years driving in Michigan has gave me a pretty good idea how to drive in the snow and while no ones perfect I'd like to think I have a pretty good idea how to drive in the snow. The problem is I live in the country and my car physically can't make it through the snow. Sometime it takes 7-10 days to get our neighborhood plowed out and even the "main" roads can take a couple of days. So really traction is my only issue, and since snow tires don't even solve my problem I can't imagine any more training would help make the Focus anymore weather proof.

Also what in the hell would cat litter do? Sure it helps when you get stuck, but I'm not going to continuously dump it in front of my tires to gain traction.

So do you have any actually input or are you going to continue to make rude comments?

 

[Adamgp]

@MedigoFlame: Hmm, IS250 sounds like an option. I've seen a couple of them pop up on AutoTrader although I know nothing about them. Worth a drive though.

@Adamgp: If you would have read the first post you'd see that my current car is going to my wife and we are getting rid of her car that's more or less junk. Since one of us have to get a new car, I figured I'd give her the newer one that's paid off since she likes it and I would get something a little older but with AWD so we could get through the snow. Also I do a vast majority of the driving so it makes sense I have the more weather resistant car.

Driver's training really isn't an issue for me, 10 years driving in Michigan has gave me a pretty good idea how to drive in the snow and while no ones perfect I'd like to think I have a pretty good idea how to drive in the snow. The problem is I live in the country and my car physically can't make it through the snow. Sometime it takes 7-10 days to get our neighborhood plowed out and even the "main" roads can take a couple of days. So really traction is my only issue, and since snow tires don't even solve my problem I can't imagine any more training would help make the Focus anymore weather proof.

Also what in the hell would cat litter do? Sure it helps when you get stuck, but I'm not going to continuously dump it in front of my tires to gain traction.

So do you have any actually input or are you going to continue to make rude comments?

If you read my post, I wasn't trying to be rude. I offered cheaper, alternative options to buying a new car.

You manage to get stuck multiple times in a fwd car with snow tires and traction control. Two people in my office have the same exact car as you and manage to get through the Chicago winters just fine, without snow tires.

Kitty litter gives you traction to get moving, once moving you have momentum, have momentum, you won't get stuck.

You want a new AWD car, go for it, plenty of suggestions here. Keep in mind AWD doesn't guarantee you won't get stuck.

 

[Slash]

Does it have to be 2008+? If you lower the years by a few there might be more options for you.

 

[Joey D]

@Adamgp: Chicago probably clears their roads, the rural area around Grand Rapids doesn't, this is my issue. When I lived in the Detroit area I didn't have an issue getting around at all, but throw 6-8" on the road and it becomes an issue. While AWD won't make it invincible, I fairly confident it will at least help, especially with good snow tires.

@Slash: I don't want anything really older than 2008 and that's even pushing it. I mean a 6 year old car is already going to have some dated stuff on it. I like stuff in my cars too much to get something too old.

 

[Slash]

@Adamgp: Chicago probably clears their roads, the rural area around Grand Rapids doesn't, this is my issue. When I lived in the Detroit area I didn't have an issue getting around at all, but throw 6-8" on the road and it becomes an issue. While AWD won't make it invincible, I fairly confident it will at least help, especially with good snow tires.

@Slash: I don't want anything really older than 2008 and that's even pushing it. I mean a 6 year old car is already going to have some dated stuff on it. I like stuff in my cars too much to get something too old.

True, but you can't deny that there are some good options out there even if they are a tad older. For the money you have set aside for a car, you could get something more higher-ish end, even if it isn't totally new.