Hi everyone, I'm insanely unlucky and paranoid my nb is going to get owned this winter. In the past year of ownership, it's already been hit four times in a parking lot, twice parallel parked on top of by an suv and a truck, and once in a driveway. The count may be higher but those were just the times I witnessed it. Plus, driving it on 185 winter tires without an lsd was causing near diarrhea experiences every morning. So what would MT buy specifically for the winter? It has to have three pedals, not totally gay, a car, and fwd or awd for 3 or 4k. I found an 05 impreza with 160 k miles going for 3.5k but some turd out bid me (IRL). So far I haven't been so lucky and the search is expanding. Thanks guys.

scoobie would def work.
volvo.
dsm.
fwd - civic, camry, corolla
or a 4x4 truck

2.5rs

If we're just talking a winter beater, an old Impreza 5-speed and get some winter tires.

If the pricing on these over there is anything like it is here there is no way in hell he's getting any decent rs for under 5-6k.

Subarus and parts for them for whatever reason are INSANE this year. Its ridiculous. The prices are just going up for no reason. :vash:

I'd honestly consider a late 90s or early 00s Integra or Civic hatchback. They're fairly cheap, durable, have good interior cargo capacity, and not horrible to drive.

Oh, and for what it's worth, driving in snow or heavy rain in a RWD car with skinny tires is worse with a Torsen than without one. Neither wheel spins, until both wheels spin.

TRUTH.
I almost put my car into the curb on numerous occasions due to crappy tires and the damn torsen making the ass end feel like its on ice basically. Open diff is without a doubt 10x safer and easier to drive in the rain.

It's hard to find stick volvo. Period. Finding one that isn't fwd that is a stick that is cheap? Unicorn status, my friend. I don't particularly want a subaru but it seems to fit the bill. It's just the ones around here look like hot wheels concepts or are owned by the e-thug tuner types that changed their oil once and now are experts. Dsm's are also a thought but are impossible to find and are driven by turdy teens. As for honda's, they are far too expensive for not much. An eleven year old lx civic goes for more than my budget. Any other thoughts? Or hints for choice year subarus and what to look for?

Okay, more specifically, 1st gen Impreza wagons.

A fwd with some decent snows will be all you need in south jersey. Cheaper on fuel and parts than 4wd cars. I find real snow tires make a bigger difference in staying on the road than awd.

i had a legacy wagon for a beater was a 5 spd and I enjoyed driving it. shit gas mileage though.

I can't compare to AWD, but a set of four Bridgestone Blizzaks on my Integra made a world of difference when I lived in Ohio. I bought a set of cheap steel wheels to put them on.

lol, i know. i've been looking at them.
for a winter car, i'll settle for auto

I think a friend of mine might be parting out his 1996 AWD 200sx, yes, converted to awd He would be looking to sell the roller for pretty cheap if your interested I can talk to him?

You would just need to source a fwd sr20de, which go for REAL cheap nowadays

Just pay 1k for a late 80s GMC 2-door truck with 4wd. It's cheap, utilitarian, and cheap to run. Save money.

Subie ftw! Any subie will do.

Unfortunately I can not be a contrarian and I agree with brain. 2.5rs is lots of fun. Lately I have been jumping my forester off this nearby hill. That pasterna parody video was very inspiring lol.

How bad gas mileage are we talking? I'd be putting winters on regardless of what car I get. But if I have the option of an open diff fwd or awd- I'll take the obvious choice.

I just picked up a 5 speed 200sx for 200 bux, and the ac worked. I had to put 200 more dollars into it, but hey. Even if it is a 1.6 it is decently fun to drive, and I prefer my 4 color ghetto sled to my wife's 08 slush box civic, and the performance is equal. Plus, I can run into shit and then I will have a 5 color car.

Subie ftw! Any subie will do.

Unfortunately I can not be a contrarian and I agree with brain. 2.5rs is lots of fun. Lately I have been jumping my forester off this nearby hill. That pasterna parody video was very inspiring lol.

Not when I have to buy winter tires and gas for it. When were they first fuel injected?

That's what I was thinking too, but every one I looked at (minus the deal of the century I missed out on) has hack ass mods and has had a know-it-all, artard of an owner. Plus the prices. Oh, the prices: A 99 rs with 160k miles was going for $8k. I'm hoping I can get one with an overdue timing belt and talk them down. The search continues.