i need a new winter car
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From: Long Point, Ontario, Canada
i need a new winter car
ive sold my suv Ford Escape 2003 v6 4x4. why cause i hated it to many reasons to list. im looking for a car $3000 or less and 200 000km or less must be a manual transmisson.
ive been thinking about a ford focus, my sisters each have one and are both in the 250's km with out any issues also thinking of a Mazda protege any thoughts or ideas?
ive been thinking about a ford focus, my sisters each have one and are both in the 250's km with out any issues also thinking of a Mazda protege any thoughts or ideas?
Last edited by nate340; Jun 10, 2009 at 09:54 PM.
grass hopper
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Guelph, Ontario
nate, congrats on dumping that aweful vehicle. lol. kidding. I would actually like to get a tribute/escape for my winter vehicle. I've got my eye out for a 4 cyl, 5spd, 4x4.
Anyways. I think the focus idea is a good one. I had one of those for a while and i actually became fond of the car (even though i bought it to make money). i planned on keeping it but a friend of the family really wanted it so i let it go. they are actually pretty good cars so long as you stay away from the first year or two of the production (it is the most heavily recalled car after all, lol).
My other suggestion would be an older subaru. Something like a mid-late 90s impreza sedan or wagon. they are so useful. they are very reliable. They are a blast to drive in the winter. parts are easy becaues the cars all fit together like lego. something out of a car 10 years newer is very likely to bolt right up. High Kms on them are no big deal so long as it doesnt have the SOHC 2.5L (that came in the 2.5 RS coupes of the late 90s, those are none for week bottom ends). Ideally, the 2.2L that came in most of them is really a great engine. they go forever and rarely give you any troubles. They are also very easy to work on.
Good luck nate.
Anyways. I think the focus idea is a good one. I had one of those for a while and i actually became fond of the car (even though i bought it to make money). i planned on keeping it but a friend of the family really wanted it so i let it go. they are actually pretty good cars so long as you stay away from the first year or two of the production (it is the most heavily recalled car after all, lol).
My other suggestion would be an older subaru. Something like a mid-late 90s impreza sedan or wagon. they are so useful. they are very reliable. They are a blast to drive in the winter. parts are easy becaues the cars all fit together like lego. something out of a car 10 years newer is very likely to bolt right up. High Kms on them are no big deal so long as it doesnt have the SOHC 2.5L (that came in the 2.5 RS coupes of the late 90s, those are none for week bottom ends). Ideally, the 2.2L that came in most of them is really a great engine. they go forever and rarely give you any troubles. They are also very easy to work on.
Good luck nate.
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From: Oakville, ON
Because winter destroys cars. I drove my 8 for the first winter i had it, with snows on it was a blast. But the second that a good winter beater dropped in front of me i snatched it up!!
No point wrecking the 8 in the salt
No point wrecking the 8 in the salt
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From: Long Point, Ontario, Canada
ive thought about winter driving the 8 but i need a second car, when you drive 125 000km a year you cant have just one car.
i already put 50 000km a yr on the 8. at that rate its so expensive buying new brakes tires coils and plugs every yr.
i need a nice second car thats cheap and fun.
dont buy an escape, i thought it would be the perfect second car while in fact it was just so mediocre at everything gas milage, really not that good in the snow. my sisters focus is more stable.i d never get stuck in the driveway. hitting snow drifts at 120km/h would always require lots of steering input to keep it on the rd. while all the other cars in my family i could just plow thru them.
thanks for the suggestions thu
i already put 50 000km a yr on the 8. at that rate its so expensive buying new brakes tires coils and plugs every yr.
i need a nice second car thats cheap and fun.
dont buy an escape, i thought it would be the perfect second car while in fact it was just so mediocre at everything gas milage, really not that good in the snow. my sisters focus is more stable.i d never get stuck in the driveway. hitting snow drifts at 120km/h would always require lots of steering input to keep it on the rd. while all the other cars in my family i could just plow thru them.
thanks for the suggestions thu
Last edited by nate340; Jun 10, 2009 at 10:01 PM.
Being (new) single rocks!
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From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
I like the Ford Focus as well and was planning on getting one before winter arrives but will be seeking something newer (2004 - 2005 probably) and automatic. Will likely source through auction with vehicles that have come off lease.
Nate, what do you do that causes you to drive so much?
Nate, what do you do that causes you to drive so much?
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From: Long Point, Ontario, Canada
i actually work for CAS childrens aid society. i currently live/work at a foster home that’s owned and run by my family.
i live on the lake by long point about 2 hours from downtown Toronto and an hour from London.
once a month i have to pick a child up in Bellville then bring them to Chatham then back to Bellville after a visit with there family, then come home its something like 1800km when all said and done.
I do lots of other interesting things, but driving children around to the million different appointments everyday is why I rack up all the km never mind the mandatory vacations ever 3 months which I usually drive down to Florida. I live in a car and I love it.
i live on the lake by long point about 2 hours from downtown Toronto and an hour from London.
once a month i have to pick a child up in Bellville then bring them to Chatham then back to Bellville after a visit with there family, then come home its something like 1800km when all said and done.
I do lots of other interesting things, but driving children around to the million different appointments everyday is why I rack up all the km never mind the mandatory vacations ever 3 months which I usually drive down to Florida. I live in a car and I love it.
Being (new) single rocks!
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From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
^ I love MT but only in a performance car. In an econo box, I'd rather not shift no fun for me really. It also makes the drives in rush hour traffic a little easier to take...
Your work is cool, must be very fulfilling...
Your work is cool, must be very fulfilling...
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From: Long Point, Ontario, Canada
i love driving thru traffic with a little manual car it feels sporty even if it isnt, i do understand it thu. driving in sport mode has got me a few tickets and look forward to the day i finaly get it out of my system and can drive an auto without hating my life.
the suv was the perfect thing i just didnt enjoy driving it i had no smile on my face it made something so fun and enjoyable and turned it into something boring and dull.
the suv was the perfect thing i just didnt enjoy driving it i had no smile on my face it made something so fun and enjoyable and turned it into something boring and dull.
Last edited by nate340; Jun 10, 2009 at 11:35 PM.
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From: Kitchener-Waterloo, ON
i actually work for CAS childrens aid society. i currently live/work at a foster home that’s owned and run by my family.
i live on the lake by long point about 2 hours from downtown Toronto and an hour from London.
once a month i have to pick a child up in Bellville then bring them to Chatham then back to Bellville after a visit with there family, then come home its something like 1800km when all said and done.
I do lots of other interesting things, but driving children around to the million different appointments everyday is why I rack up all the km never mind the mandatory vacations ever 3 months which I usually drive down to Florida. I live in a car and I love it.
i live on the lake by long point about 2 hours from downtown Toronto and an hour from London.
once a month i have to pick a child up in Bellville then bring them to Chatham then back to Bellville after a visit with there family, then come home its something like 1800km when all said and done.
I do lots of other interesting things, but driving children around to the million different appointments everyday is why I rack up all the km never mind the mandatory vacations ever 3 months which I usually drive down to Florida. I live in a car and I love it.
as for a beater? if i were to get one it'd probably be an old impreza... 4wd econobox would be great for gas + winter
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From: Long Point, Ontario, Canada
^yes they do. i always get into conversations about how various components on cars work with kids. i remember when i was young my dad would always go into great detail. just this morning i was explaining MAF and open loop and closed loop, short term trims and long term trims. its an interesting job there's always something going on. at times i miss the simple 9-5 but overall im happy.
ps im constantly having to explain no we are not speeding we just accelerated quickly to avoid kids running back to other workers/family yelling holy **** nathan drove super fast.
ps im constantly having to explain no we are not speeding we just accelerated quickly to avoid kids running back to other workers/family yelling holy **** nathan drove super fast.
Last edited by nate340; Jun 11, 2009 at 05:46 PM.
