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Best under $2,500 vehicle to get you up to the mountain?

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TRPD
Posts: 26 - Karma: 270
Hey guys finally looking for a first car and I'm wondering about a reliable vehicle for more or less under $2500 that doesn't get the gas millage of my neighbor's trophy wife's Hummer and get get me up the mountain. Could be pretty much anything... Except a PT Cruiser cause those look like sh*t. Your input is much appreciated!
Thanks
Oct 8 2015 7:44PM
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LAME.
Posts: 5795 - Karma: 2,446
Youre on NS, youre going to hear things like: Subaru wagon with a rack, 4runner, Volvo XC70

But what your really want is an old beater truck so you can fuck around and drive up the ski hill, youll sure show those pussies.

but seriously old toyota pickup
Oct 8 2015 7:48PM
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Scott0_robot0
Posts: 3291 - Karma: 212
I bought my 96 jeep cherokee like 5 years ago for 1300, with 176000 miles. Thing is still going strong.
Oct 8 2015 7:54PM
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Spagett+
Posts: 3499 - Karma: 14,884
TheRealPuffDaddyPT Cruiser
Thanks


Oct 8 2015 7:57PM
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Spagett+
Posts: 3499 - Karma: 14,884
This thread is now a PT cruiser appreciation thread



Oct 8 2015 7:59PM
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crotchvent
Posts: 1527 - Karma: 2,184
at that price I would stay away from any subarus. I'd look into an older toyota truck/4runner/crv if you want 4wd and some space. If your ok with fwd(better gas mileage) look into something such as a civic or camry.
Oct 8 2015 8:23PM
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270on420out
Posts: 7516 - Karma: 51,166
Uber
Oct 8 2015 8:25PM
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brett_fisher
Posts: 2419 - Karma: 10,503
Oct 8 2015 8:34PM
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Brule.
Posts: 3941 - Karma: 6,303
Find something on craigslist that isn't beaten to shit and is reliable.
Oct 8 2015 8:35PM
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qyleberry
Posts: 788 - Karma: 2,211
Brule.Find something on craigslist that isn't beaten to shit and is reliable.


This
Oct 8 2015 8:41PM
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special-J
Posts: 1572 - Karma: 4,477
LUPTONbut seriously old toyota pickup


Yeah good luck finding a solid toyota pickup for under $2500

..but if your budget increases, yes get one of those
Oct 8 2015 8:53PM
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crotchvent
Posts: 1527 - Karma: 2,184
special-JYeah good luck finding a solid toyota pickup for under $2500

..but if your budget increases, yes get one of those


I never realized how much those went for always see people on here recommend them as if they where dirt cheap.
Oct 8 2015 10:32PM
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saskskier
Posts: 4774 - Karma: 10,005
Volvo wagon with a roof box (although probably not an R. I picked up an 850 T5 $2500cdn a few years ago)


Oct 8 2015 10:44PM
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CHORIZO
Posts: 2003 - Karma: 10,039
Got a 99 nissan pathfinder for ~$1,800 had about 200,000 meow im at $230,000. 4wd is pretty helpful once in a while.
If you buy an old car buy it from a woman cuz they generally dont push the car and keep it in good shape.
Oct 8 2015 11:03PM
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Blue_Fish
Posts: 49 - Karma: 42
Prob wont get any decent 4wd for that.

Advice: setup email alerts for kijiji and refresh craigslist every 10 min. As bad as this sounds, some old person will pass away and their car has to be sold off. Buy a car driven by an old person. Most of the time they are the mintest rides that have been carefully driven and babied for most of its life.
Oct 8 2015 11:05PM
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saskskier
Posts: 4774 - Karma: 10,005
Also, you don't need AWD or 4x4, just a good set of winter tires. You'll be able to get through almost anything.
Oct 8 2015 11:11PM
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CHORIZO
Posts: 2003 - Karma: 10,039
Blue_FishProb wont get any decent 4wd for that.

Advice: setup email alerts for kijiji and refresh craigslist every 10 min. As bad as this sounds, some old person will pass away and their car has to be sold off. Buy a car driven by an old person. Most of the time they are the mintest rides that have been carefully driven and babied for most of its life.


you wont have to drive alone either! The ghost of that person will haunt the car so you always have someone to ride with you
Oct 8 2015 11:17PM
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LAME.
Posts: 5795 - Karma: 2,446
saskskierAlso, you don't need AWD or 4x4, just a good set of winter tires. You'll be able to get through almost anything.

I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend AWD or 4x4, Growing up my mom always had fwd cars even with the best snow tires it was never fun.

When i bought new tires for my truck i asked for good winter tires and the guy laughed at me, "you know she has 4x4" and its true, always felt safe even driving around on the slipperiest roads in whistler.
Oct 8 2015 11:59PM
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saskskier
Posts: 4774 - Karma: 10,005
LUPTONI HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend AWD or 4x4, Growing up my mom always had fwd cars even with the best snow tires it was never fun.

When i bought new tires for my truck i asked for good winter tires and the guy laughed at me, "you know she has 4x4" and its true, always felt safe even driving around on the slipperiest roads in whistler.


I grew up driving an 85' Civic in the country with roughly 5-10km of gravel roads (rarely pretty in winter). Maybe not the mountains, but we got a crap load of snow. All my other cars have either been fwd or rwd with the exception of my 4runner, but I was more comfortable driving all of them in winter than the 4runner. (Also grew up driving my dad's trucks, so it's not that I wasn't used to driving a truck in winter)

I'm not saying awd or 4x4 is a bad thing, and it's probably better if you live in the mountains, BUT if you aren't an idiot (i.e. - a half decent driver) and have winter tires you'll be just fine in almost any car in almost any conditions.
Oct 9 2015 12:11AM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51805 - Karma: 164,311
It depends on you honestly. How much do you plan on driving? Any car can get you up the mountain if you aren't a shit driver.

IF you're young and poor, gas mileage is everything honestly. If you're not driving very far ever I guess it doesn't matter that much but still should be considered.

When you get an idea of what you want check CL. You can do a lot with that much if you find a good deal.

I own two foresters right now but Ive driven some shit cars to the mountain.

If youre in ny buy my 02 forester
Oct 9 2015 3:25AM
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onLINE
Posts: 1013 - Karma: 423
The obvious answer is a 1992 Volvo 240 wagon /thread.
Oct 9 2015 9:38AM
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TRPD
Posts: 26 - Karma: 270
AlsoKnownAsIt depends on you honestly. How much do you plan on driving? Any car can get you up the mountain if you aren't a shit driver.

IF you're young and poor, gas mileage is everything honestly. If you're not driving very far ever I guess it doesn't matter that much but still should be considered.

When you get an idea of what you want check CL. You can do a lot with that much if you find a good deal.

I own two foresters right now but Ive driven some shit cars to the mountain.

If youre in ny buy my 02 forester


If you drive it out to Colorado we have a deal!
Oct 9 2015 1:28PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,186
My subie does well. The best car I've ever driven in the winter is my grandpas ford Aerostar. Awesome car. You can load people/skis up and it's just a cool car. Not very gas friendly tho
Oct 9 2015 1:33PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51805 - Karma: 164,311
TheRealPuffDaddyIf you drive it out to Colorado we have a deal!


Damn!

HAd it out there all last season lol. Had a job at vail line up and would have been leaving in a week or two but turned it down for an east coast gig because I love ice.

Getting a subie in CO for a good price might be tough. I was going to go out early september for some music but got really sick. Planned to list the car I had just bought for cheap for a couple k more in CO on craigs, and try and sell it and fly back. Probably would have gone too but I didn't make it out of NY that week
Oct 9 2015 1:39PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,965
In ascending order of typical prices I'd probably say

Subaru Loyale wagon
Volvo 240 wagon
Loyale that isn't beat to shit
240 that isn't beat to shit
Ford Ranger with topper
2nd gen Legacy wagon
3rd gen Legacy wagon
Chevy Astro awd

Wagons are great because you can plaster the rear side windows with stickers of the super sick places you ski, your favorite beers (even if you don't drink), a pro legalization sticker or two (even if you don't smoke), and every fucking ski brand you can get your hands on. You can sleep in all of these, but even if you don't you still have to tell people you do because you must be the smelliest dirtiest ski bum in your school.
Oct 9 2015 1:44PM
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TRPD
Posts: 26 - Karma: 270
AlsoKnownAsDamn!

HAd it out there all last season lol. Had a job at vail line up and would have been leaving in a week or two but turned it down for an east coast gig because I love ice.

Getting a subie in CO for a good price might be tough. I was going to go out early september for some music but got really sick. Planned to list the car I had just bought for cheap for a couple k more in CO on craigs, and try and sell it and fly back. Probably would have gone too but I didn't make it out of NY that week


Damn dude bad timing! it's so hard to find a deal on a subie out here cause everybody wants em
Oct 9 2015 1:56PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51805 - Karma: 164,311
TheRealPuffDaddyDamn dude bad timing! it's so hard to find a deal on a subie out here cause everybody wants em


Yeah I know. There are a TON of them in the northeast always up for sale. If you get something out there and pay $$ for it regardless, look into somewhere away from the snow like NM and try and get something without any rust.
Oct 9 2015 2:01PM
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TRPD
Posts: 26 - Karma: 270
And thanks for the input everyone I'll keep an eye out
Oct 9 2015 2:01PM
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grilled_steeze
Posts: 422 - Karma: 1,448
Going to say the obvious, Subie wagon for the win
Oct 9 2015 6:23PM
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humpty
Posts: 1190 - Karma: 3,162
Oct 9 2015 6:35PM
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Vitiligo
Posts: 535 - Karma: 1,126
I usually ride OPs mom up to the slopes, high mileage but cheap and gets the job done!
Oct 9 2015 6:36PM
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CTD
Posts: 6301 - Karma: 350
I picked up a 93 Rodeo for 750 and its going into its second winter. Been a good lil truck, looks great, 4x4 and 5speed. Toyotas and Subies are great but you'll pay a premium. There are lots of other good vehicles you can get way cheaper than the more common ones. 90s cars are way easy to work on compared to stuff 2000 and newer. Also, you can never go wrong with any GM with the 3.4l or whatever V-6 from that era. I've had a few cars with that motor and they've all ran forever. I'm definitely partial to small SUVs or trucks, they really work so well for gear hauling and road trips.
Oct 9 2015 7:01PM
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cobra_commander
Posts: 16909 - Karma: 4,682
Late 80s Early 90s Toyota anything (I had a camery) with good snows and a decent driver.
Oct 9 2015 7:35PM
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daannnnieel
Posts: 5163 - Karma: 4,293
PathFinder. My buddy has one and we've literally wrapped it doing 60km, pulled it out and kept driving. Reliable as fuck, so much fun to drive in snow and plenty of room for gear and sleeping. Not amazing on gas but if you're driving just try and get gas pitch.

His was a 2000 and I know people who have various gens and love them.
Oct 10 2015 2:21PM
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dustygoldflakes
Posts: 484 - Karma: 700
Old jeep Cherokee. Very good in the snow, cheap and easy to find on local craigslist, and they are very reliable. My buddy has one with 365,000 miles and it still has the original engine!
Oct 10 2015 7:42PM
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russsavokskis
Posts: 699 - Karma: 1,264
I got a bangin ass 1992 Mazda MPV mini van. Solid vehicle
Oct 10 2015 11:43PM
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