A 2nd or winter car

[mlomker]

It wouldn't be terribly affordable for me at the moment, but I'm thinking about getting a second car to drive in the winter. Once the coilovers are on the Evo I'm doubtful that it's going to be all that useful in the winter (ground clearance).

I'd like some opinions on what you'd consider to be a good car for the winter (probably FWD) but that is still unique/cool.

I could either look for something with higher mileage for $8-9k or something pretty nice for $15-17k. It looks like my best bet in the lower price range may be a Mitsu...used Eclipse GS with decent mileage goes for a pretty reasonable price. On the higher end I've thought about looking for a bone stock Evo 8 or a Mini Cooper S.

The downside with a used Evo is that it is tough to find one that hasn't had a tough life. 100% reliable is what I'd be looking for in my winter car...almost removes a used Evo from the running. I think I'm going to go look at a Mini Cooper this week.

[123abc]

You can buy my Stratus Coupe.

[HiImBrian]

my 98 impreza 2.5rs handles like a dream in the winter It's not out of the ordinary to see em last close to 200k miles either. You can pick up a 2001 rs for under $7000 easy

[mlomker]

Originally Posted by Mr.98GSX

my 98 impreza 2.5rs handles like a dream in the winter It's not out of the ordinary to see em last close to 200k miles either. You can pick up a 2001 rs for under $7000 easy

There's an idea and I was thinking about that. I had a 96 Impreza...was a 2.2 motor. Not a bad car at all but the valves went out at 130k miles. I keep hearing about people getting 200k out of their Subarus but it didn't work for me. Bluebook was $1500 at the time so I basically gave it to the dealer as a trade in.

Here's one with tolerable mileage.

[white_4gGT]

Originally Posted by mlomker

Here's one with tolerable mileage.

Looks like a nice one.

[Kracka]

For a winter car definitely get something AWD. A Legacy or non-turbo Impreza of some sort would probably be a pretty decent choice. I say drive your Evo though! I drove my DSM lowered 3" through Duluth snow and had zero problem with my Evo IX lowered 2". Just get some snow tires and you'll be set.

[mlomker]

Originally Posted by Kracka

Just get some snow tires and you'll be set.

I may just do that--just thinking through my options. The X is the most expensive car that I've ever owned so I have some reservations about even driving it in the winter. My last car was a BMW but I had bought it used.

[scheides]

Dude, snow tires on a lowered evo is more than adequate. Getting a second car for winter is just silly. Get some nice tires and rock it year-round.

I pretty much would not shut up about the set of General's I got last year:

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/showpos...8&postcount=42
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/showpos...2&postcount=69
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/showpos...0&postcount=35

I intend to keep blabbing about them and driving on them this year

[mlomker]

Originally Posted by scheides

I pretty much would not shut up about the set of General's I got last year

Where'd you buy them and get them installed?

I've thought about having snow tires put on the stock rims and then getting new rims in the Spring for more aggressive tires.

My quandry is that I can lease a parking spot in my building for $80/mo but I can't store a spare set of tires anywhere (it's against association rules to just stack up a set of tires in a parking spot!). lol. I'll have to start looking around for mini storage here downtown, or something.

[scheides]

Originally Posted by mlomker

Where'd you buy them and get them installed?

I've thought about having snow tires put on the stock rims and then getting new rims in the Spring for more aggressive tires.

My quandry is that I can lease a parking spot in my building for $80/mo but I can't store a spare set of tires anywhere (it's against association rules to just stack up a set of tires in a parking spot!). lol. I'll have to start looking around for mini storage here downtown, or something.

Ask around, some shops offer tire storage. Maybe you could even talk to one of our sponsors, some of them have storage space attached to their shop. I got my generals from tirerack.com, but I don't think they offer them in 18" size.

[polishmafia]

Originally Posted by scheides

Ask around, some shops offer tire storage.

I know the friendly folks over at the Maple Grove Goodyear can store tires.

[mlomker]

Originally Posted by scheides

I don't think they offer them in 18" size.

I was thinking a set of Blizzak LM-60's since there is a Firestone a block away from me. Anybody had them before?

[Kevin 1G Drummer]

Originally Posted by scheides

Dude, snow tires on a lowered evo is more than adequate. Getting a second car for winter is just silly. Get some nice tires and rock it year-round.

I pretty much would not shut up about the set of General's I got last year:

http://mitsustyle.com/forums/showpos...8&postcount=42
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/showpos...2&postcount=69
http://mitsustyle.com/forums/showpos...0&postcount=35

I intend to keep blabbing about them and driving on them this year

I'm planning on picking up a set of those for my DSM this winter.

[Kracka]

You could always rent a tiny storage locker from Public Storage or any other storage facility for spare wheels/tires and other misc. car parts

[blageo23]

Originally Posted by mlomker

There's an idea and I was thinking about that. I had a 96 Impreza...was a 2.2 motor. Not a bad car at all but the valves went out at 130k miles. I keep hearing about people getting 200k out of their Subarus but it didn't work for me. Bluebook was $1500 at the time so I basically gave it to the dealer as a trade in.

Here's one with tolerable mileage.

My subaru has 278000 miles on it and runs like a champ!
I have a 97 Jimmy if you want to buy it

[mlomker]

Originally Posted by blageo23

My subaru has 278000 miles on it and runs like a champ!

Original tranny & long block? I'd find that hard to believe. I could have kept my Subaru running if I'd rebuilt the head but I'm not a mechanic...

[Kracka]

I was always quite happy with my Hankook Icebear W300's which should be available in 18's. In the dry they felt like a performance all season, but in the snow and ice they really hooked up and made winter driving very fun. Plus they've worn pretty well, they have 3 winters on them already and definitely have a 4th left in them.

[Kevin 1G Drummer]

^^ I had a set of those on a Nissan 240sx, and those were also really nice tires.

[john]

I would just drive it as it is, save the money for another set of track tires

I drove my 92 AWD in the winter (16g, 50, and 60 trims) with what ever crappy tires I had. I have driven in 7 MN winters so far, never bought snow tires, never got into an accident, and never got stuck.

My winter car is my DD Honda insight which has the smallest tires you will find and has to be one of the lightest cars as it is pretty much an aluminum CRX chassis. I have driven this car for 2 winters. I don't see how the EVO could be any worse.

Driving in the snow/MN winter is typically only different if you are driving while it is snowing as the plows do a pretty good job of keeping the roads clean. I can come and go as I please at work so I can arrange my drive if I want though...

I can't see the EVO being an issue as it sits. I would go with it as is, it is always easy to buy another car or a set of tires if you are unsatisfied.

[mlomker]

Originally Posted by john

I would just drive it as it is, save the money for another set of track tires

haha. You know it! I can't wait until next Summer when I have all the mods on my car...track days should be a total blast.

I have driven in 7 MN winters so far, never bought snow tires, never got into an accident, and never got stuck.

I've had a couple AWD cars and always had all-season tires on them. If the BMW had 200hp then I'd be surprised. It's just not the same as owning an Evo. The X actually comes with an obnoxious sticker on the driver's door warning you to not use the stock tires in the winter.