Winter beater round-up, Canadian style
October 15, 2017 10:28 AM   Subscribe

I need a cheap-to-insure beater than can take on a proper Canadian winter for around $5k CAD (~$4k USD) or less. Would like to avoid subcompacts. What should I look for?

While I absolutely afford to buy a more expensive car, I don't need a car to commute - this is just for running errands and weekend fun, and my usage patterns don't make carsharing or Uber cost-effective or convenient. I don't expect to put more than 8,000-10,000 kms/year (~6,000 miles) on this car, and expect to upgrade as my life circumstances change in a few years. My other costs of ownership (parking, insurance) will be high-ish for reasons I can't control so I want a car that's cheap enough that I won't need to bother with collision or comprehensive insurance.

Other things that might be important:
  • I live in a part of the country where people have trucks and SUVs so I don't feel as confident driving a subcompact here as I do elsewhere.
  • I'm not a tall person, so I can't get a good view of the road in low-slung cars like the mid-00's Mazda 3.
  • Safety matters - it's icy and snowy here for a lot of the year. Not so snowy that AWD is a must, but I'll probably get studded tires.
I'm looking at early-model Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibes, and a bunch of wagons/crossovers. The top end of this price range gets me into high-milage Volvo V70/X70 and Subaru Forrester territory. Is there anything else I should be looking at? Thanks!
posted by blerghamot to Travel & Transportation (7 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
 
I love my Toyota Corolla for snowy driving (lived in Syracuse, NY, 2.5-4.5 m of snowfall per winter when I was there). Something about its center of gravity just makes it feel really stable and safe. With snow tires, I would take it over an SUV any day. I get not wanting a *sub* compact, but there are some good options between that and SUV crossovers that for the price will get you a newer model with better safety features.
posted by Kriesa at 10:45 AM on October 15, 2017 [1 favorite]


The Ford Five Hundred was built so that drivers and passengers sit much higher than the average sedan. Built on a Volvo-derived platform; probably worth a look. (After 2008 it was renamed the Taurus.)
posted by Polycarp at 10:54 AM on October 15, 2017


Old Subie wagon, or any taller front wheel drive car, with Bridgestone Blezzak tires.
posted by Oyéah at 11:08 AM on October 15, 2017 [1 favorite]


At this price point, the most important things are probably condition (watch for rust) and a clean title (don't buy a flood car)! Does it have to be a wagon/crossover?
posted by Seeking Direction at 1:24 PM on October 15, 2017 [1 favorite]




I'm in poorly plowed snowy rural truck country Ontario, and I have a 2008 Volvo XC70, and nothing but good things to say about it and winter driving. I barely need to shovel; it goes over what the plow piled at the end of my driveway more often than not. It's a big tank, but a tank with three different temperature settings for the front seat, and loads of safety features. (I'm 5'4", for what that's worth.) I see older versions of my car, rust-free, driving around all the time -- I only occasionally see same-era versions of a Ford Focus wagon I drove before (the Volvo is better in winter, and better at accelerating, by an order of magnitude, along with being more comfortable) only occasionally; they have generally been claimed by rust. I would at least test-drive one; I had lusted after it, especially in winter, for ages, and was totally sold after test driving it.

Cargo space is huge if that's an issue -- you can put skis or even a kayak (with the trunk tied down) in it. The three back seats will fold down separately, meaning you can haul large long stuff while still having a passenger or two.

(I also considered Subaru Foresters and didn't make it as far as test driving them, but would keep them on your maybe list, just given how many I see still on the road despite age, and the number of people driving them out here. I might also look at small trucks -- Ford Ranger size?)
posted by kmennie at 3:56 PM on October 15, 2017 [4 favorites]


mid aughts honda CRV
posted by WeekendJen at 10:23 AM on October 16, 2017 [3 favorites]


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