Suggestions on a new car - Snowboarding Forum

bubbachubba340 · 12-27-2010, 06:24 PM

Last week my truck was hit by a van running a red light. Long story short it was totalled and now I have approximately 4500 to buy a new car and Id like some suggestions. So far I've looked at subaru outbacks, Volvo V70 and 850 wagons, jeep cherokees and I found one audi A4 wagon that looks pretty appealing.
My criteria:
4wd/awd
preferably good gas mileage, but not a necessity
leather seats, again preferred
Cargo space(hatchbacks, wagons, SUVs)

Thanks for the help

john doe · 12-27-2010, 06:44 PM

One car buying rule I have is never buy cheap luxury cars. In that type of price range you just get a shit load more for 4500 if you avoid luxury brands. Leave those cars to idiots that want to pay for the name.

pmetz · 12-27-2010, 06:51 PM

Sorry to hear your truck got totaled. Happened a few times in the past for me.
As for cars, I would go for a Subaru Outback. I currently have a newer Jeep Wrangler which does great in the snow, but will end up buying an outback here soon as a second car for the family trips up north. All my buddies in Tahoe swear by it's AWD in the snow and they last forever.
Second choice would be the older square type Jeep Cherokee. The 4.0 they put in them takes a beating and are cheap and easy to work on. They also handle great in the snow.

wrathfuldeity · 12-27-2010, 07:05 PM

outback...volvos are pricey to fix and somwhat to maintain, however they are darn safe in a collision...wife loves them, currently on the 4th one 240 sedan, 2-740 wagons and now a v40.

Powder Keg · 12-27-2010, 07:55 PM

Maybe an older Toyota 4runner. Toyota's are usually pretty durable.

Toecutter · 12-27-2010, 08:14 PM

Do not buy the A4 unless you have a substantial repair budget (I've been down that road before).

There are plenty of used Subarus in OR from which to choose.

Shocktroop531 · 12-27-2010, 08:29 PM

something that will always be able to get you up to the resort on a powder day

KIRKRIDER · 12-27-2010, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toecutter

Do not buy the A4 unless you have a substantial repair budget (I've been down that road before).

There are plenty of used Subarus in OR from which to choose.

I traded my A4 for a new WRX.
The parts is what is going to kill you...I paid $350 for an alternator...just the part..
then you need a specialized mechanic...that's $120 an hour.
The Audi engine is very compact. That means they have to take down half engine to put the new alternator in, that's a lot of hours of work.

Leave it alone unless you are $$$
Kirkwood is ridicolous about Subies...2 out of 3 cars are Subarus...

Toecutter · 12-27-2010, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawlo

I traded my A4 for a new WRX.
The parts is what is going to kill you...I paid $350 for an alternator...just the part..
then you need a specialized mechanic...that's $120 an hour.
The Audi engine is very compact. That means they have to take down half engine to put the new alternator in, that's a lot of hours of work.

Leave it alone unless you are $$$
Kirkwood is ridicolous about Subies...2 out of 3 cars are Subarus...

Yeah, my previous A4 needed a new water pump and the mechanic basically had to remove the entire front end to do it. It took some 1.5 days in the shop. Labor alone was close to a grand.

I have both an Audi and a WRX right now. I love how the Audi drives but I won't own one out of warranty ever again.

bubbachubba340 · 12-28-2010, 09:47 PM

It turns out insurance is giving me 6k to work with! Also a friend of mine buys cars from dealer auctions for cheap and sells them. So I can probanly get a much newer nicer car with some money left over for studs.

12-27-2010, 06:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
bubbachubba340 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tigard, OR Posts: 580	Suggestions on a new car Last week my truck was hit by a van running a red light. Long story short it was totalled and now I have approximately 4500 to buy a new car and Id like some suggestions. So far I've looked at subaru outbacks, Volvo V70 and 850 wagons, jeep cherokees and I found one audi A4 wagon that looks pretty appealing. My criteria: 4wd/awd preferably good gas mileage, but not a necessity leather seats, again preferred Cargo space(hatchbacks, wagons, SUVs) Thanks for the help

12-27-2010, 07:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
wrathfuldeity Resident poet Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Bham Posts: 2,701	outback...volvos are pricey to fix and somwhat to maintain, however they are darn safe in a collision...wife loves them, currently on the 4th one 240 sedan, 2-740 wagons and now a v40. __________________

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12-27-2010, 06:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
john doe Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 1,245	One car buying rule I have is never buy cheap luxury cars. In that type of price range you just get a shit load more for 4500 if you avoid luxury brands. Leave those cars to idiots that want to pay for the name.

12-27-2010, 06:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
pmetz Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 19	Sorry to hear your truck got totaled. Happened a few times in the past for me. As for cars, I would go for a Subaru Outback. I currently have a newer Jeep Wrangler which does great in the snow, but will end up buying an outback here soon as a second car for the family trips up north. All my buddies in Tahoe swear by it's AWD in the snow and they last forever. Second choice would be the older square type Jeep Cherokee. The 4.0 they put in them takes a beating and are cheap and easy to work on. They also handle great in the snow.

12-27-2010, 07:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
Powder Keg Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: The Praries Posts: 188	Maybe an older Toyota 4runner. Toyota's are usually pretty durable.

12-27-2010, 08:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Toecutter Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mt. Bachelor Posts: 1,512	Do not buy the A4 unless you have a substantial repair budget (I've been down that road before). There are plenty of used Subarus in OR from which to choose.

12-27-2010, 08:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
Shocktroop531 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: park city , Utah Posts: 500	something that will always be able to get you up to the resort on a powder day

12-28-2010, 09:47 PM	#10 (permalink)
bubbachubba340 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tigard, OR Posts: 580	It turns out insurance is giving me 6k to work with! Also a friend of mine buys cars from dealer auctions for cheap and sells them. So I can probanly get a much newer nicer car with some money left over for studs.