Winter is a hard reality for car lovers, and for some if us, it may mean the difference between driving our beautiful cars, or not driving them at all (because of road salt and slippery conditions).
But that doesn't mean that you have to abandon car ownership during the cold times because you can buy a winter beater instead. Here are six cars to suit every type of driver:
For The Sensible Buyer - Subaru Outback Wagon
It's winter time. It might me snowy and icy, so you need a car that can combat this with ease. Where else would you turn but Subaru? Just go on YouTube and you'll see Imprezas pulling cars free that are double the size.
Now apply that same AWD system to a spacious, comfortable wagon and you get the Outback. The Outback is sure to get you anywhere you need to be throughout the winter time. You can now pick up Outbacks for under $1000, so if you need a car that will serve you well, but you don't have much to spend, then look no further!
Now apply that same AWD system to a spacious, comfortable wagon and you get the Outback. The Outback is sure to get you anywhere you need to be throughout the winter time. You can now pick up Outbacks for under $1000, so if you need a car that will serve you well, but you don't have much to spend, then look no further!
For The Adventurous - Mazda Miata
Stay with us here...The Miata may not be quite what you'd think of when you need a car to brave winter conditions because it's light, rear-wheel-drive and a convertible. But because it's fairly underpowered, it's very easy to control in snowy conditions because it won't tend to snap oversteer as much as, say, a Toyota MR2. For that reason, a Miata could transform a winter drive that you're dreading into a fun experience that helps you become a better driver (because drifting in car parks). This, coupled with the Miata's general price range of around $2000, is a clear reason why they should be considered.
For The Safety Conscious - Volvo 850 Wagon
If your overriding thought for needing a winter beater is 'how can I keep my family safe?' then a Volvo 850 is a good car to consider.
The 850 is safe because of its features. Despite the fact that the model you see here is the 90's variant, it is loaded with safety tech to help you get where you are going. From the ABS system that was so effective, it's now compulsory in all cars, to the masses of airbags all around the cabin. At the same time, the 850 comes equipped with a fairly standard front-wheel-drive system which may seem like nothing to write home about, but is actually a key feature. In the snow and ice, front-wheel-drive cars tend to do well because they have the full weight of the engine and transaxle pushing down on them, thus providing extra grip. 850s are still fairly common and can be picked up for around $2000-$3000.
The 850 is safe because of its features. Despite the fact that the model you see here is the 90's variant, it is loaded with safety tech to help you get where you are going. From the ABS system that was so effective, it's now compulsory in all cars, to the masses of airbags all around the cabin. At the same time, the 850 comes equipped with a fairly standard front-wheel-drive system which may seem like nothing to write home about, but is actually a key feature. In the snow and ice, front-wheel-drive cars tend to do well because they have the full weight of the engine and transaxle pushing down on them, thus providing extra grip. 850s are still fairly common and can be picked up for around $2000-$3000.
For The Handyman - Ford F150
If you carry heavy equipment, then a pickup truck like the F150 is the obvious choice. Sure, it's got rear-wheel drive, but its near 5000lb weight and big tyres ensures pretty good traction on snow and ice.
What's more, the F150 is reliable as hell and with power in the top models at 340bhp from its gargantuan V8, it's also good for towing. The F150 is a car you'll unlikely see stuck on the side of the road or struggling to get go-ing, as its rugged exterior and dependable drivetrain help keep it going. You can pick up F150s in the region of $1000-$2000 which may prove to be a bargain for what you are getting.
What's more, the F150 is reliable as hell and with power in the top models at 340bhp from its gargantuan V8, it's also good for towing. The F150 is a car you'll unlikely see stuck on the side of the road or struggling to get go-ing, as its rugged exterior and dependable drivetrain help keep it going. You can pick up F150s in the region of $1000-$2000 which may prove to be a bargain for what you are getting.
For The Mentally Unhinged - Pontiac GTO (Gen 4)
When the GTO was introduced, it featured the 5.7-litre LS1 found in the C6 Corvette. This engine put down 350 bhp to the rear wheels, which is what gained it the reputation for being a car that loved to go sideways. It would also do 0-60 mph in 5.2-seconds and would go all the way to 159 mph limited by a governor. For that reason, the GTO is a terrible choice for winter, so only the mentally unhinged with $5000-$6000 need apply!
For The 'Prepared For Anything' - Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Jeep name has always stood for dependability, and the Grand Cherokee is a case in point. From the apocalypse-proof four-wheel-drive system to the high ground clearance, you know that not even the worst conditions will stop you in your tracks!
The Grand Cherokee is refined too, with leather interiors, big lazy V8s and hosts of options and features to choose from too. The largest engine of the lot was the 4.7-litre V8 with 265bhp that is sure to be able to pull you out of any situation. You can pick up a Grand Cherokee for around $4000 now which is not much considering the work horse it is.
The Grand Cherokee is refined too, with leather interiors, big lazy V8s and hosts of options and features to choose from too. The largest engine of the lot was the 4.7-litre V8 with 265bhp that is sure to be able to pull you out of any situation. You can pick up a Grand Cherokee for around $4000 now which is not much considering the work horse it is.
