If you had $18,000 what would you do

[Chopper]

Honda CRV, even one with a few miles on the clock...fits all the criteria, dependable as the day is long. You really do not need any type of four wheel drive, unless you have any kind of snow. We drove just fine for years without it. It's a gas sucker. Second choice is a Toyota equivalent ( I just find them a boring drive... not the balance of the Honda...most wouldn't notice). Third..with a great big bullet...the rising Korean Giant Hyundai/Kia...very good quality construction, nice interiors, good value/resale/insurance rates, fantastic warranty....just not quite a Honda yet, but a very good deal.(this is maybe the best choice for the most people...I find them too soft for my taste, but they drive nicely and carry the best content of anyone...air bags electronics, and other such niceties) I get to drive almost everything, because of my job, and see how they are built. For dependable,economical, comfortable, everyday driving chores, I truly feel your best choices can be found in these showrooms. Remember... they are built here...don't fall into the old us vs. them crap. Any way I can help, let me know. Wayne

[cyronman]

I'll second the Subaru wagon or Outback. Or even a Forrester.
Call it biased, but I've just had great experiences with Subies.

[vxDAKINECHICvx]

For the price...I will agree with the subaru outback. They get great gas mileage, do crazy great in the snow/ice and they have plenty of room. They may not be the sweetest to look at but as far as a long lasting, reliable car, this one would be perfect. I've known a few people who've had them and LOVE them....

[mdwyer]

For the price...I will agree with the subaru outback.

I also recommend a Subaru. They are super-predictable in snow and ice -- mine has saved my butt a number of times. They're relatively inexpensive to run -- they get good mileage, and I've had VERY few issues with mine.

[ZEUS]

If ice is the big concern where she lives you could probably bypass AWD altogether if you just get some Blizzak tires. When I participated in the ice races outside Denver, vehicles equipped with those tires got their own class because they grip so well. If you put those on an AWD though, it is that much better. If it is deep snow you are concerned with, than that is a whole new ball game.

[JHarris1385]

Thanks alot guys. She is currently test driving a Freestyle. I hate that idea.

What you all mentioned included a few that I mentioned. Never really thought about the Subies though. Good one. I am going to relay this to her.

She personally really likes the CRV. So do I and consumer reports. But she is afraid of repair. Why? Because the dealship only in her mind services what they sell or american made autos.

As far as winter conditions. She lives here http://maps.google.com/maps?tab=wl . Between Borden and Pekin Indiana. Closer to David, IndianaVX. . She really just wants to feel secure and confident in an auto that can get around. Up and down mild to steep in/declines in sometimes bad condition. Most of the roads she travels are county owned and not salted or plowed regularly.

So are blizzak tires that good?

Anybody have any expierence with suzuki's?

[VXD959]

J,

"Anybody have any expierence with suzuki's?"

Glad you mentioned Suzuki, because I really like the their new line of SUVs. My daughter has a 1996 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4. Albeit being underpowered....it's the car that has been in the shop the fewer times in the family, great gas mileage, and easy to maintain. I also like the new Saturn VUE and the Kia Sportage.

Go to Edmunds.com and read the review on all the choices. That might help your friend in deciding what to do.

[mdwyer]

As far as winter conditions. She lives here http://maps.google.com/maps?tab=wl . Between Borden and Pekin Indiana. Closer to David, IndianaVX. She honestly is not a great driver (but not terribly bad) and she is only in need of a new auto because this is her second auto she has totaled (niether her fault). So she really just wants to feel secure and confident in an auto that can get around. Up and down mild to steep in/declines in sometimes bad condition. Most of the roads she travels are county owned and not salted or plowed regularly.

So are blizzak tires that good?

My Subaru got me to work and back during the last two Colorado's blizzards. Once was 55+ miles. In both cases, I made it all the way to my driveway before I got high-centered. Until the snow got too deep, it was simply unstoppable. That's with regular all-season tires, too! Driving in bad weather is a pleasure in my Subaru, and never fails to put a smile on my face, especially when I'm the only car moving. The crash tests results are pretty good, too. Usually you trade-off between avoiding an accident in a small, nimble car against surviving an inevitable collision or rollover in an SUV. I think the Subarus have the best of both.



As for Blizzaks, I've never personally used them (or NOKIAN HAKKAPELLIITTA's -- the other strongly recommended tires), but I have seen them in action, and the power of good snow tires is absolutely undeniable. Although they help you start, the true power is that you can still STOP and STEER with good snow tires. If you can afford them, and can put up with the hassle of swapping tires, I can't recommend them strongly enough.

[Chopper]

Subaru's are great. My wife is asking for an Outback for Xmas, already. I'm thinking Volvo C30...just gotta get her in it once. Subbies can be "quirky" which doesn't matter if a dealer is close.