[335beeeemer]

My 1996 maxima died 250,000 miles not bad. Now I need a winter car. Less than $15,000. Awd preferred. Let me know your thoughts. Oh yeah reliable too!

[cb4]

WRX - not sure about reliability.

[BMWUltimateDriv3r]

For reliability you want Japanese.

For AWD, you want Subaru.

[Bumer]

Toyota 4 Runner / Lexus SUV.

You can definitely buy by 2003-2005 4Runner with about 70,000 for ~$15,000
You can find Lexus SUV GX or LX (or Toyota Land Cruiser), but for $15,000 it will have >100,000 miles.

All above are pretty awesome for winter, even with good all-season tires. And reliable too.

[Aacaron]

Originally Posted by BMWUltimateDriv3r

For reliability you want Japanese.

For AWD, you want Subaru.

+1

I just totaled my 99 Maxima with only 130000 on her, she was still a baby I bought a 97 subaru legacy wagon for like 3k with 150000 miles on it. Don't get me wrong I HATE this car compared to my maxima but it is reliable and will probably be great in the bad weather. I also purchased a 335i coup so I won't be stuck driving my "shit box" all the time best of both worlds...

[dman918]

WRX is a fantastic car. VERY reliable and fantastic in the winter. I've owned a WRX and a STI. Both were wonderful.

[Wires]

Just keep in mind the new STI was suffering from reliability issues (according to Consumer Reports). Previous version, as well as just WRX were still top notch.

At the BMW driving school, buddy had a AWD Porsche 911 as his "winter beater". NICE!

[SWFan]

This is a BMW forum so I vote for a 335 or 535 with x-drive.

[cb4]

Originally Posted by SWFan

This is a BMW forum so I vote for a 335 or 535 with x-drive.

Pretty sure that doesn't meet the reliability requirement.

[Coolieman1220]

winter tires?

[Propagator]

Originally Posted by dman918

WRX is a fantastic car. VERY reliable and fantastic in the winter. I've owned a WRX and a STI. Both were wonderful.

I owned a 2004 WRX for 8 years. I had exactly zero problem with that car, and in the end sold it to a very happy skateboarding dude for a lot more money than I would have expected for a car that old.

[slider86]

get another maxima

[DDS2015]

What about an E46 325xi?

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by DDS2015

What about an E46 325xi?

or a CPO E90 330xi:

http://www.bmwusa.com/standard/conte...fmJUzz4yYtqk4H

(Some are a tad pricey)

Tom

[Kolyan2k]

I am just having trouble understanding the whole 2nd winter car thing.... 335 is not even close to be an exclusive car. and what's the point driving shit box for 3-4 months?

I would much rather drive 335, save money (car + insurance), and enjoy every minute of it. another story if you got g55 as winter car.....

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

I am just having trouble understanding the whole 2nd winter car thing.... 335 is not even close to be an exclusive car. and what's the point driving shit box for 3-4 months?

I would much rather drive 335, save money (car + insurance), and enjoy every minute of it. another story if you got g55 as winter car.....

Seems to me that if the OP prefers not to drive his E93 during the winter and you don't accept his reasoning, you might have been more helpful by at least suggesting a proper winter tire...

Tom

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

Seems to me that if the OP prefers not to drive his E93 during the winter and you don't accept his reasoning, you might have been more helpful by at least suggesting a proper winter tire...

Tom

Dunlop M3s or Blizzak LM60 will do much better then any even awd shitbox on all-seasons

[Trojan4evr]

Get your self a used Nissan Xterra. True off-road car.

[DDS2015]

Originally Posted by Trojan4evr

Get your self a used Nissan Xterra. True off-road car.

Stay away from the Xterra. Mine breaks down constantly. I hate it and am trading it in as soon as possible.

[galahad05]

If gas mileage is not a problem, a 4x4 truck.
Hell, I'm looking for one. So damn useful. A true beater--diesel, heavy duty, not pretty or great paint shape, but mechanically sound. A true WORK truck. Tow my sailboat, haul lumber or furniture or even my car if I had to. And able to go near anywhere.

[JoosyJoos]

I'm guessing the OP wants to take care of his vehicle and plans to keep it a while. So to all of you guys on these boards that are saying "Just drive it in the winter on snow tires, you'll be fine". Driving a car through snow year after year is a good way to accelerate wear of components and make work a hell of a lot harder in terms of replacing bushings and other suspension components.

In terms of winter beater options I'd agree with the WRX. I had an X3 before as a winter car and it did well until the X-drive solenoid went bad and left me stranded. You could probably find an A4 in good condition for super cheap but I'm not sure about the reliability on those.

[dmorga1]

Originally Posted by DDS2015

What about an E46 325xi?

+1. Get a beater Xi. On the east coast, new england, and in the midwest, there are guys who swear by them in winter. In Chicago, it was awfully hard to find an old E30 Xi for the longest time because all the BMWCCA guys would snap them up! I would go E46 Xi or E90 330Xi. Keep it simple and reliable.