If you had $18,000 what would you do

[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.

[JHarris1385]

Oh shoot I guess I never said this was for my mom.

[VXD959]

Kia Sorrento hands down for a smoother ride and classy style. Suzuki Grand Vitara.
Saturn Vue ,
Jeep Patriot or Compass also if you are looking for a brand new vehicle. What about the Honda Element?

If you are looking for something pre-owned, there is always the Toyota RAV4 a good mileage Jeep Grand Cherokee.

[ZEUS]

So are blizzak tires that good?

As a winter tire...? Oh yeah! I am not lying, the event organizers would check your tires before assigning you to a racing class. They specifically look for Blizzaks! Here is a snippet of what TireRack has to say about them:

Do Bridgestone Blizzak Tires Live up to Their Reputation?
The Tire Rack has been the largest single source of Blizzak studless winter tires in the United States since their introduction in 1993. We have tested them on ice and in the snow, as well as driven on them through South Bend, Indiana's "mild" and "wild" winters. We have found that no All-Season tire or other winter tire has matched the Blizzak's confidence-inspiring combination of deep snow, packed snow and ice traction.

Here is the link for more info so you can decide if they are biased salesmen: http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/...jsp?techid=116

A great 1997 read without bias: http://www.usroads.com/journals/aruj/9712/ru971202.htm

[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.