95_993

+1 on an Audi A4 or S4. I have had a B5 A4 Avant for 8yrs and it has seen some serious winters and ski trips. With Dunlop M3 snows, it's virtually unstoppable. Performs flawlessly. 120K miles now and still rock solid.

Floodj

The best winter car I have driven is my old Jeep Wrangler.
It wasn't AWD, but it was 4x4. The shorter wheel base keeps plenty of weight on the rear tires (unlike a truck).
I had a hardtop on mine. I think the hard top is a must for snow as the soft top stretches and leaks over time.
It is also the only heater that I have had that blows hotter than my old 1966 911. It is hot, it will melt the polish off your shoes (or jump boots in my case).
--Joe

fast_freddy

2000-2002 Mercedes E Class with 4Matic. You can get them in pretty good shape for $7-12k. Notwithstanding a handful of issues they are bomb proof.

TRINITONY

+993...my co-worker has a first year model, zerooooo issues with close to 140k...

fullbooker

How about one of those Ford Explorers being traded-in in that "Cash for Clunkers" program? Bet you could get several.

Phil

95 C4 993

My 95 XLT V8 AWD Ford Explorer ran strong for the 10 years I owned it and got rid of it a year ago for $3300.00 with 150,000 on the clock. For a 13 year old vehicle, it was was in very good shape both menchanically and appearance.

I bought a Navigator and then sold the Explorer a few months later.

skywachr

+1

I've thought about getting one as a 2nd car to have at our cabin (only reachable on dirt roads for last .5 mile or so). Subaru builds quite responsive little cars--not like driving a sedative (a term a friend of mine uses to describe the Lexus driving "experience").

NC TRACKRAT

You may think I've lost my mind but I'd suggest you find an early to mid-2000 F150 crew cab 4wd. Comfortable, good ground/snow clearance, gr8 for hauling people and stuff. The 5.4L is strong enough to tow an enclosed trailer but the F150 is reasonably ez to maneuver. Money saved from bargains out there will buy a lot of gas.

herman maire

I am looking for a pick up and I would like to buy a f150 2004 models ( much nicer interiors) crew cab but I am seeing NO DEALS. These things are holding there value its just crazy. It does not matter what the gas prices are.

Just a example 2004 f150 crew cab around $17000 used - cost about $40,000 new ,
2004 range rover 18-20,000 used -cost 80-90,000 new.

What are the prices in you area for a nice crew cab.... the lariat's are in the 20,000's!!!

CDILL

What about a higher milage Cayenne you should be ablt to pick one up with 70k plus on it for around 20k

David in LA

IMHO anything from Subaru...cheap, dependable, good power/handling, and have been at the forefront of AWD technology for many years.

Paul K

How about a Land Rover Discovery/Range Rover? I know they have a terrible reputation for reliability, (I have personal experience with this) but if you either get a good one or have some cash left for repairs, they are really neat vehicles. There are some great deals out there right now on P38A RRs and Discovery II's.

I like the 'used Cayenne' idea also.

Cheers,

Paul.

NC TRACKRAT

About the same. IMHO, I think, at the going rate, they're still bargains. Been looking for a nice 2005-6 low-mileage King Ranch and they're in the mid-to-high $20K range. New, they're listing for twice that.

1pcarnut

Looking for a DD myself and just drove one of these with 80k miles, a one owner in very nice condition but rattled and was noisey like a car with 200k. Loads of power though and supposed to be very reliable. Actually considering a G35, one of the cars on my short list.

daltvater

Watch our for the dreaded sludge problem. My 1.8 failed at 50k miles. Audi replaced it due to the know sludge issues. It was a nightmare process but they came through in the end thanks in part to a pending class action lawsuit.