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View Full Version : Any ideas for a winter beater?



PAFirefighter49
07-16-2011, 08:28 PM
I was doing a lot of thinking about this winter and realized that I'm probably going to need a 4 wheel drive winter beater for a few reasons:

I'm going to be commuting a LOT this winter. I'm starting school and between work and school, I'll be busy at least 6 days a week and traveling at a minimum of 50 miles a day.

Also, my girlfriend is probably going to be moving in with me, and the roads in my area can get very bad in the blink of an eye. I'm afraid that with her also going to school, she may need a 4 wheel drive to take.

I still have the TJ for the days where the snow is really bad, but after all the weight I've added to it in the drivetrain and body protection departments, it's only getting 15mpg.

I am not looking for a "pretty" vehicle. Just something inspectable and cheap to run.

Some vehicles I've started to scope out:

-Geo Tracker
-Suzuki Samurai/Sidekick/X-90
-Ford Bronco II

I really like the Tracker/Samurai/Sidekicks because they go like hell in the snow and they're little 4cylinders that are good on gas.

I have been scouring craigslist but haven't really found anything I like a whole lot.

Auto transmission is best for the gf, but I'm starting to teach her how to drive a stick.

If you have any suggestions, or know of anyone selling a cheap 4x4, please share!!

tjblair
07-16-2011, 09:00 PM
AMC eagle!

97V10MN
07-16-2011, 09:07 PM
Stay away from Bronco 2s. My aunt had one and it was horrible in the winter. It slid all over the place even when in 4wd.

PAFirefighter49
07-16-2011, 09:28 PM
Stay away from Bronco 2s. My aunt had one and it was horrible in the winter. It slid all over the place even when in 4wd.

Duly noted.

jlovbasz3
07-16-2011, 10:51 PM
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/2462133511.html

gonecheenin
07-17-2011, 12:36 AM
Can't beat a ZJ - sell cheap these days, go like crazy, and resist rusting from salt pretty well (especially compared to the XJ!)

PAFirefighter49
07-17-2011, 01:14 AM
the ZJs I saw were kind of expensive. Plus I'd be more inclined to take care of it if it was a Jeep! lol

gonecheenin
07-17-2011, 02:48 AM
the ZJs I saw were kind of expensive. Plus I'd be more inclined to take care of it if it was a Jeep! lol

You look hard enough you can find ZJ's for 12-1800 bucks all day long, sure they have some miles on them but they are well known to run for a couple hundred thousand without issue when reasonably taken care off.

I've had 5 4.0 Grands so far ranging in mileage from 146,000 to 256,000 & as long as the tranny isn't slipping or motor rapping, I just slap some Mobil 1 15W50 in the engine, RV cooler after the factory tranny cooler, and a quart of Lucas in the trans fluid & procede to run them for another 50-80,000 miles.


Just did a search & found at least 10 possibility's just on PGH Craigslist for under 2000

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=grand+cherokee&catAbb=cto&srchType=A&minAsk=&maxAsk=2000

88wd21
07-17-2011, 11:38 AM
AMC eagle!

only if its a woodgrained wagon!

joe_and_jeep
07-17-2011, 12:33 PM
Samurais are 5sp only. I'd look at a Subaru, theres some other oddballs AWDs out there. Eagle Talon, Toyota Tercel, Dodge Caravan (lol) I dont know all the years but those had an AWD option certain years. A Turbo Talon Tsi would be fun in the winter.

PAFirefighter49
07-17-2011, 06:20 PM
Thanks all

tjblair
07-17-2011, 09:07 PM
only if its a woodgrained wagon!

Of course!

JeepSteeler
07-18-2011, 07:57 AM
X2 on the Subie if you want something "gf friendly" to drive and get good mpg. Probably a little more expensive than a used ZJ - also a good choice - but a little better on fuel and full time AWD may be easier for her to manage over selectable, unless you get an AWD ZJ but then you take a fuel penalty. Older Forester or Impreza maybe.

RalphDogg
07-18-2011, 06:57 PM
subaru's have the highest resale price, get a AWD astro van and never look back.