Car shopping soon...advice?

[OakLeaf]

We had one of those two-tone green and greenish-gold Outbacks. They sold a LOT of them. Whenever I saw one in a parking lot (which was often), I'd try to park as close to it as I could, just to be contrary.

[Atlas]

I just gave up my 1994 Grand Prix (with 196,000 miles) and have a pretty 2004 Jeep Liberty. I had originally decided I couldn't afford something with 4wd/awd because I wanted low miles and I don't think it's completely necessary. I think if you're on reasonably plowed roads a fwd vehicle with good snow tires can be just as effective as 4wd. I've lived in the midwest all my life and have managed in fwd, though I admit 4wd/awd is nice. We drive to International Falls, MN every year for the Arrowhead 135 and I've always driven a mini van and it has managed every single time.

But like I said, I have a jeep now and even in the few days I've had it I love the 4wd. I don't need it all the time but it'll be nice when we go camping in February. Let me get back to you about gas mileage come summer though

Advice, get a car you like and can afford and find a way to make it winter-ready.

[Koronin]

We own a 4X4 pick up (Ford Ranger). We did buy is specifically with 4X4, although not for typically driving. The 4X4 is actually for the two times per year when we go to Bristol, TN for the NASCAR races. With a 4X4 you can find parking much easier than without it. There is alot of parking that awd and 2 wheel driver (front or rear wheel) just cannot park at, so 4X4 is extremely useful. Otherwise, unless we intend on driving on the beach we may never actually use the 4 wheel drive. We may eventually do that to see the wild horses in Currituck County (Outer Banks of NC). But living in NC, and now eastern NC there isn't a whole lot of other reasons to have a 4X4.

[Jolt]

I had my list of three cars to consider after looking at Consumer Reports etc. (Subaru Impreza, Toyota Matrix and Suzuki SX4) and went out today to do some test driving. Only got to drive the first two as there is not a Suzuki dealer close by. Both were very good but I liked the Subaru a little better--visibility to the sides and rear was a lot better and I like the fact that it is designed for all-wheel drive from the ground up as opposed to having it as an add-on feature. The Subaru salesman (who happens to be my roommate's cousin) also took me to a parking lot with some big areas of unplowed snow about 6-8 inches deep, so I could really see how well the car does. It went through that snow (as well as one place where it was piled up higher) with no problem--this is a car that seems like it would make driving after a snowstorm fun instead of scary! Unfortunately I didn't get to do that with the Toyota to compare, mostly just drove that one on the highway (it felt a lot like driving the Corolla except sitting up a little higher and having bigger blind spots). I might end up not testing the Suzuki...although all indications are that it's a good car, it just doesn't have the track record that the others do and I want to make sure I get a car that will be reliable for a long time. Now I just have to see what happens with these interviews I have coming up in the next couple of weeks...hopefully there will be an offer and I can then go ahead with picking out a car (makes more sense to wait since I have a car to use for right now).

[indysteel]

There's a recent thread on Roadbikereview about getting a good deal/how to haggle on an Suburu. While you have to wade through a bit of male banter (typical for RBR), you might find something helpful in the thread about getting a good deal.

http://forums.roadbikereview.com/sho...d.php?t=236222