AWD compact car?

[mntlion]

Not sure if this belongs in tech talk?

Girlguide is looking at a new car and thinking about the
1) Potiac Vibe AWD
2) toyota Matrix AWD
3) Susuki Areo AWD

I know that the vibe and matrix are about the same car, and yes she would love another subi, but can't afford one. Anyother thoughts?

Any other AWD sub compact cars that are cheap?

Anyone work in the car industry, in Canada, and want some fat skis, for a deal on a car? Can travel to pick it up

Thanks

[Raps]

Thats a tough niche in the car industry....what price was she looking at? I was gonna suggest an outback but as you say, they are pricer than those three you mentioned. What about used? There are some great deals out there....

[schuss]

do you NEED AWD? A FWD with snow tires can go 90% of the places an AWD with snow tires can in the winter. AWD is just slightly more stable, the majority of grip still comes from the front wheels.

[mntlion]

yes she needs AWD, heli guide, driving in the middle of no where, DEEP snow, etc. and years of driving a subi wagon. I wish she had other options.

New vs used. The sub compacts are all too new for used (just came out this year) Wants to have a NEW car, just cuz...

thanks guys

[Spats]

Also there are a lot of places where the highway dept. will make you chain up if you don't have AWD. This despite the fact that 4WD/AWD doesn't make you *stop* any faster, which causes most of the accidents...

[Raps]

Well if she is driving in deep snow, why isn't she looking at an SUV? AWD has great grip but those three you mentioned don't have the clearence for big snowstorms if she is a heli guide. If she's in deep snow a wrangler or the like with some AT tires is what she needs.

[Stikki]

What about a Subi Impreza?

Cut and paste from kbb.com (US/WA MSRP):

Subaru IMPREZA 2.5 RS
AWD Sport Wagon 4D
$18,670

Pontiac VIBE
AWD Sport Wagon 4D
$21,210

Toyota MATRIX
4WD Sport Wagon 4D (Auto)
$17,835

Suzuki AERIO SX
AWD Wagon 4D (Auto)
$17,794

Maybe the rebates, tariffs, or pricing are different in Canada but an Impreza would be my choice.

[eDub]

or the Subie Outback Sport

Subaru IMPREZA OUTBACK SPORT
5LE AWD Sport Wagon 4D
18,983.00


And although I haven't looked at the details of the other cars, I recently bought a Subaru and one advantage it had over all of the other cars I was looking at was that it came loaded with standard features. I got everything I needed without adding a single option. The other cars required several options that drove their prices much higher than the Subie.
[/beating of dead horse]

[basom]

if i spent 19 or 20 grand on a pontiac i would kill myself for not spending 19 or 20 grand on a brandy new tacoma instead. Then i could do crazy stuff like tow a sled, fit all of the CMH expolsives i want in the bed, and burl around in deep snow.

[Free Range Lobster]

I thought only couch people bought Pontiacs

[72Twenty]

If you want the ultimate small car with 4wd, try and find an old Subaru Justy. They run forever....


Seriously, though, go with an Impreza...

[dubu]

from that list, the matrix is the best by farrrr..

do not get the pontiac.

plz, it has to be the ugliest car out there.

[joshbu]

I'm with basom. A small 4x4 pickup will probably be much more useful for her purposes than a micro grocery getter at the same price. Throw about 300 lbs of sand bags in the back and it'll handle snow easy.

[EstoBum]

I got a 91 VW GTI that I'd almost trade you for a pair of skis. But you gotta come out to Halifax to get it. But its not AWD, good in snow though.

[PlayHarder]

The subie's the only one of those with any clearance. I've driven both the 2.5rs and the matrix and would take the subie in a heartbeat, especially considering:
2.5rs - $22,995ca
Vibe AWD - $23,755ca
Matrix AWD - $22,580ca

[mntlion]

Thanks guys,
She wants a compact for the $/km factor, we have a toyota truck already (4 door, desiel, 1/2ton, 4wd)

Nor sure where, or why, she thought that the subi's are that much more then the others?? Also she would prefer the fact that it is avail as a standard. She likes dirving stick after all

Also I'm not sure why the Vibe bad vs Matrix good. I love toyota's too, but aren't the two cars almost the same? They sure look the same.

Do any maggots in AB work in the Auto industry?

[Snow Dog]

I have a certain fondness for the Suzuki 4DR Vitara/Chevy Tracker. It's a truck with body on frame construction. It's 4WD, not AWD. GM no longer sells the Tracker for 2005 but some dealers might still have some sell. Cheap.

[TELEB]

maybe check out a used 4wd truck. gas mileage not as good as a car of course. but you can get through way more snow in a truck. last year i get my 03 chevy Z71 through 2-3 feet of snow with no problem. that's with stock bridestone duelers.

[El Chupacabra]

mtnlion-

If you go Pontiac Vibe/ Toyota Matrix, you can probably get a better deal on the Pontiac -- seems like the American "big 3" run many more discounts, promotions, incentives, etc. than any import-branded models.

And, if this will work, I have about $1500 (US $) in GM Card bucks that I'll give you if you want it. I think it's transferable; just not sure about (a) to Canda, and (b) whether I have to be present to transfer it to you. (GM Card is a credit card that gives a % back towards purchase of a GM vehicle; the amount you accumulate can be added on top of any incentives, rebates, etc. -- basically make your best bargain, then add on the GM Card dollars. Can't be used with GM employee pricing.)

Let me know if you want it - I owe you for the ski bindings.

-Karl

[fiddler]

from that list, the matrix is the best by farrrr..

do not get the pontiac.

plz, it has to be the ugliest car out there.

They are exactly the same car with different badge and option packages. Friend of mine got a Vibe cause his dad used to work for gm. He got a discount and a car thats really a Toyota, what a deal!
I've ridden in it a bunch, it seems good to me. Carries quite a bit of stuff for the size. His is an AT and gets around 30mpg on the highway.

[The AD]

Thanks guys,
She wants a compact for the $/km factor

How about the Honda CR-V?

[PlayHarder]

How about the Honda CR-V?

Starting @ $28,500ca.

[Son1cdeth]

Get one of these baby. They're pretty good in the snow. And the WRC season is almost over, should be able to pick one up used pretty cheap

[mntlion]

mtnlion-

If you go Pontiac Vibe/ Toyota Matrix, you can probably get a better deal on the Pontiac -- seems like the American "big 3" run many more discounts, promotions, incentives, etc. than any import-branded models.

And, if this will work, I have about $1500 (US $) in GM Card bucks that I'll give you if you want it. I think it's transferable; just not sure about (a) to Canda, and (b) whether I have to be present to transfer it to you. (GM Card is a credit card that gives a % back towards purchase of a GM vehicle; the amount you accumulate can be added on top of any incentives, rebates, etc. -- basically make your best bargain, then add on the GM Card dollars. Can't be used with GM employee pricing.)

Let me know if you want it - I owe you for the ski bindings.

-Karl

thnaks I have lots of GM bucks already.

I looks like subis might be in the running again with that new info.
still looking


Any Suziki info ?

[mntlion]

looks like all the cars do have the same MSPR.

now part 2 of this.

$23000 MSRP.
what is a good deal for the reall street price.
I know with skis you have MSRP $1000
street price $800
good deal (cost + small %) $600

what should we be paying for a 2005 subi?