The VX should NEVER be considered a beater car. Not only is it blasphemy but the VX is an addiction.
One other option that I'd like to throw on the table is an older model Toyota Land Cruiser. I have a 93 with 1/4 mil miles on it and it has by far the best 4WD system on it for winter driving that I've ever owned. They may be scarce but should be reasonably priced (I'm saying that as a WAG - I've not looked).