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First car help?

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Daoust
Posts: 487 - Karma: 103
I'm looking into buying a car at the beginning of summer to use this summer, but so that i can ski more in the winter.

Pretty much what i need is something that can drive me to and from the hill about 4 days a week, which is a 60km drive there and back and can fit me + 2-4 other people and their skis/boards

The problem is that im stuck on whether i should get a car or an suv. My thoughts are that i wouldn't be able to fit over 2 others in a car considering our gear wouldn't fit in the trunk, without a seat down and that with an suv insurance would cost more, as would gas. Also I'll have saved around 5000, for whatever vehicle i choose.

Car vs SUV debate for traveling to ski....I figured some of you have been in the same situation and could help me out on this one, thanks.


Mar 31 2011 9:07PM
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CousinEddie
Posts: 633 - Karma: 215
subaru?
Mar 31 2011 9:33PM
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dreadyboy
Posts: 2306 - Karma: 34
Get a thule and a station wagon.
Mar 31 2011 9:34PM
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CSpruit
Posts: 368 - Karma: 55
Im in the same situation right now.  Im going to go with a jeep cherokee.  I thought something with 4 wheel drive could be pretty useful..
Mar 31 2011 9:44PM
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theJones
Posts: 676 - Karma: 158
i agree with this
Mar 31 2011 9:45PM
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PON3
Posts: 3817 - Karma: 783
STI

/THREAD
Mar 31 2011 9:48PM
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SPskier543
Posts: 2413 - Karma: 324
You can't get an sti for 5 grand. I would just go with a subaru wagon gt model, which are pretty sick
Mar 31 2011 9:52PM
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SteezyasPie
Posts: 1160 - Karma: 15
My $.02:
I thought I would be miserable with a POS sedan as my first car, but it was definitely the best choice I could have I made (with the possible exception of buying a truck that was okay on gas). You'll save lots of money on gas, and it won't have so much power that you'll get into trouble with it. Also you're going to value the fact that you saved money when you put it on top of a snowbank in the middle of a bad storm like I did this winter. Even though my car had no damage, I know that if I had, it wouldn't have been that bad a loss seeming as the car cost me only $1000. Still, try not to do that.
Mar 31 2011 9:53PM
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PON3
Posts: 3817 - Karma: 783
i know..... it was sarcasm about how much STI's are refered to on this site.
Mar 31 2011 10:01PM
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SPskier543
Posts: 2413 - Karma: 324
O haha, sorry I'm not good at decoding your Internet sarcasm lol
Mar 31 2011 10:14PM
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pomme-de-terre
Posts: 3915 - Karma: 703
find an all wheel drive volvo station wagon. i guarantee you can pick one up for just over 5 grand.
Mar 31 2011 10:18PM
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Daoust
Posts: 487 - Karma: 103
Been looking at station wagons for awhile, but I figured they wouldn't fit my skis in the back without interfering with seating, and then adding 2-3 other pairs and a board would be even worse. Is there even a car that has enough trunk space that i can put my skis in without moving seats ? Also I'd be going skiing straight after school, and I wouldn't be surprised if my thule was taken off the roof by the time I'm done class
Mar 31 2011 10:28PM
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dreadyboy
Posts: 2306 - Karma: 34
I don't think there is, if you're against a roof rack and want to bring people, then an old vw transporter would be good. And you could pimp it out for camping in the summer.
Mar 31 2011 10:37PM
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chicken
Posts: 6843 - Karma: 2,123
My first car was $75, RWD. I bought a used set of winter tires and I was good to go (winter driving in Calgary NBD.

Then I got a forester with a thule. Great if you don't do long highway trips, could sleep in the back easy and comfy and was pretty damn good in the snow. It's performance is not as good as my truck for really gnarly shit, but it definitly handles better on hard snow.

Just if you get a subaru make sure it is 5speed so you get the 50/50 split.
Mar 31 2011 10:40PM
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SPskier543
Posts: 2413 - Karma: 324
Under 175 will fit in a regular gmc Yukon or chevy tahoe fine without needing to fold seats or do anything, anything over you may want to look into a crew can truck with a leer bed cover that locks, then you can lock up all your gear and keep it dry while being able to sit the same amount of ppl as you would in a normal car or suv
Mar 31 2011 10:42PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
1st gen 4 runner, 22re 20+ mpg, room for all your shit, 4wd...


Click for larger image
Mar 31 2011 10:50PM
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Daoust
Posts: 487 - Karma: 103
That helps out a lot thanks, I ride 169s right now and everyone else boards pretty much. I was just looking at a 4runner aha, but it didn't look anywhere near as badass as that
Mar 31 2011 11:34PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
i failed a bit... that ones actually an rc car haha, but you know what they look like

theyre sweet rigs
Mar 31 2011 11:36PM
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babooski92
Posts: 31 - Karma: 10
if i were you i would look for a 1996 or newer toyota 4runner. they are really reliable and great suv's. they get decent mileage and are great offroad.

just get a ski rack for the top and lock your skis in while you are at school.


Mar 31 2011 11:40PM
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SkierX
Posts: 16253 - Karma: 538
Subaru Legacy Wagon (either Outback, regular Legacy or Brighton models) are great skier cars. You can comfortably travel with 4 skiers and all their gear. The backseat area is roomy enough where it is reasonable to travel with 4 plus gear. Skis up to 190cm will fit in straight without any problem with one side of the rear seats down.
Mar 31 2011 11:47PM
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BlakeLively
Posts: 663 - Karma: 656
/thread
Mar 31 2011 11:49PM
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Troy.
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 12,549
I'd say Subaru Forester. Fits five people and is sporty-ish, but has a boot like a small SUV.
Apr 1 2011 12:51AM
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Aftleet
Posts: 135 - Karma: 16

Obviously a van for all your crack whores brah.

Apr 1 2011 1:13AM
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StreetsOfRage
Posts: 1180 - Karma: 4
dude my friend has a 1995 buick park avenue and we fit 3 people plus boards and skis in it. you will be fine with a car.
Apr 1 2011 1:43AM
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CousinEddie
Posts: 633 - Karma: 215
thats sick. i have a '98.
Apr 1 2011 8:52AM
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moonofendor
Posts: 1484 - Karma: 14

don't get the pod type, but the rack. when you're in class store your gear in the car, when you get outta class move it up to the rack. problem solved.

I'd say get any FWD car, you'll usually be able to get by in the snow.

Apr 1 2011 9:37AM
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860media*
Posts: 1575 - Karma: 10,519
Audi a4 avant with a thule
Apr 1 2011 12:50PM
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Billek
Posts: 5665 - Karma: 98
Most kids ruin their first cars.  You may be a good driver, but there is a lot that can happen in those first years of driving.

Spend like 1-2k on a cheap domestic, they are easy and cheap to fix.

Get a THULE.  That takes your little domestic and gives it the ability to fit 4-5 kids and all of your equipment.

Or you can spend 10k on a 2003 Forester and frontflip it into a culvert, WITH the Thule on top, just like I did haha.
Apr 1 2011 1:39PM
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Fluttershy
Posts: 586 - Karma: 763
buy a used suv for like 1000 on craigslist
Apr 1 2011 2:54PM
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SPskier543
Posts: 2413 - Karma: 324
Awful idea
Apr 1 2011 2:58PM
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PASKIINGSUCKS
Posts: 9097 - Karma: 777
WTF is this shit. Charmander recommending a 4runner.......first gen no less?? Is it april fools day already??? I thought you were a die hard chevy guy?


These trucks rule, but I doubt you'll find one near you. I had one for a bit til I sold it to a buddy. it's still kickin at like 280,000miles.
Apr 1 2011 3:22PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
i wouldnt own one, we have a 94 and i hate it... but honetly i understand that the last thing this kid needs is a full size gas guzzler

annndddd id rather drive a yoter than a ferd!
Apr 1 2011 7:24PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 370
also, by first gen i mean one with a solid axle cause ifs is for bitches.
Apr 1 2011 7:26PM
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Deezy
Posts: 4580 - Karma: 1,004
Click for larger image
/thread
Apr 1 2011 8:16PM
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SPskier543
Posts: 2413 - Karma: 324
I would go with a Yukon or tahoe. My 2002 tahoe has 206,000 miles and still runs perfectly and has not had any major mechanical issues, and I abuse it quite a bit
Apr 1 2011 11:32PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
Get a normal sized car and put a roof rack on it. Not that fucking difficult. Don't get an SUV they will just guzzle gas and we want to try and save the snow not just piss it away with a 18mpg bus that you will never need.

Subaru, VW, Volvo, Honda, Toyota, and the list goes on. Get a list of cars you like/ have interest in and ask your mechanic which ones last the longest etc.
Apr 1 2011 11:37PM
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japanada
Posts: 13784 - Karma: 1,957
any car/suv with a rack will fit 4 or 5 total plus your gear. I love my wagon. A wagon of sorts gets my vote. Subi/VW/Audi/Volvo all make awd wagons. Or a jeep cherokee, you can milk 19-22mpgs highway outta them.
Apr 2 2011 12:02AM
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EasyEast
Posts: 1983 - Karma: 118

my suggestion is a no to an suv get a car with awd and thats good on gas then put racks on it and then your set

Apr 2 2011 12:12AM
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Deezy
Posts: 4580 - Karma: 1,004
racks are such a hassle, trunk space is KEY
Apr 2 2011 12:23AM
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ButteredToast.
Posts: 6459 - Karma: 2,570


I ended up getting a Honda accord when I originally wanted an SUV. I canNOT tell you how glad I am I went with the sedan. Got a rack, and it's awesome. And saving that much on gas is completely worth it.

Don't get an SUV. You'll get pissed at how much you have to refill.
Apr 2 2011 1:18AM
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