Hi Guys, I need to get a winter beater, and I do not want to spend more than 4k... Ideally I want to be under 3k but I don't know if that is possible. What do you think? It does not have to be fun to drive. It just needs to be reliable enough to get me through the winter. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Interesting responses. Some I would not have thought of, like a Subaru. I would be concerned about their transmissions. But some good suggestions none the less. Thank you!
Getting an old diesel Mercedes to start reliably in Michigan could be a challenge, unless you have a good block & fuel line heater...
Be careful with older Subarus, they're notorious for head gasket failures (2.5L). I have an '02 Nissan Pathfinder with a set of Blizzaks that I use as a winter beater. Picked it up for $350 a couple years ago, put a bit of work into it and it's still going strong with close to 200k now. They are prone to rust and terrible on fuel but mechanically bulletproof and unstoppable in the snow.
Jeep XJ, with $4k you ought to be able to get one that isn't rotten up to the door handles. Older Subies and failed head gaskets are synomous, Saab and decent condition is a contradiction in terms. Nothing will punish you more than an elderly MB oil burner in bitter cold. Old Japanese front drivers a good choice too, if you have the stomach for such cars.
Are you looking for 4wd? Beater XJ Cherokee or Grand Cherokee, older Explorer or Expedition, Escape. S10 Blazer. All should be easy to find under 4K and will get the job done. If you find an Explorer try to find a V8. The SOHC 4.0 has timing chain issues.
+++++++ a million I've owned 4 XJ Cherokees Simple. Easy 4x4. Cheap. Can't beat it. Won't get stuck in anything under 7ft of snow
When I lived in Toronto, same weather for the most part as Michigan. I took over my parents BMW 325IX, excellent car in the snow. Parents bought it new in 1989, to replace our full sized Jeep Wagoneer. By 1999, we had put over 400k kilometers on it and it was still going strong. My second choice is the VW Corrado VR6, I've had three for winter beaters. My third choice is a 944S. The Corrado is a little slower then a 944, but has front wheel drive, makes it better in the snow. The problem with the 944 when its snowing and the roads are not cleared yet, its not as good as my other options. What I like about the Corrado, it doesn't look as dated as most cheap cars. They have pretty nice leather seats when optioned that way. Its pretty sporty. The only reason the BMW wins, all wheel drive, its like a rally car when it snows.
If you go with a japanese car try to get a manual tranny the autos in the older ones could be weak points.
We had one in 1986 for a short time over winter. My Dad was involved with a company that had offices in Reno next door to the Audi/Porsche dealer at the time. One of the executives left the company and had a lease on a Quattro. Instead of returning it. My Dad took over the lease. I liked it but at the time felt it drove too much like my friends new at the time VW Scirocco. Back then didn't appreciate it. Now Id love to find a mint example as a collector piece.
Full size 2nd generation Tahoe (2000-2006) with some miles on it. These things don't even blink doing 250-300K miles. Very rust resistant and they go through the snow like nobodies business. And, you can use it to pull trailers and do real work. 16-18MPG. Several on our local Craigslist in your price range...
I bought a '99 2.8 5spd from the original owner few years ago, dealer maintained cream puff, couldn't ask for a better winter beater. Actually it's such a nice car I don't even like using the term beater to describe it.
