Yup the much loved 1999 Forester has given yeoman service over two decades but the point has been reached when sinking more money into it doesn't pass the sanity check.

He needs a reliable non-gas guzzling winter capable vehicle but can't afford a late model let alone a new one.

I did a search here and found a number of threads from 2017 to 2020 discussing a variety of AWD/4WD small and mid sized SUVs as well as compact trucks. It's overwhelming as the last vehicle we all have acquired was back in early 2011.

Our locale (Rapid City, SD area) is sparsely populated so used vehicles selections aren't overly plentiful. We figure out of state might end up being in play although that means our reliable local mechanic won't be able to give any prospective vehicle a good look over.

Anyhow, any counsel, advice, and wisdom would be gratefully appreciated.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bald1,

Used Subarus are out there------long as you find one with a good maintenance record..........

https://www.courtesysubaru.com/

there was a 2001 forester with a 115 thousand miles and a manual transmission.

I guess I would buy a certified preowned from your local dealership. tell them what you want and they will hunt it down or wait till it shows up!!!

Ballpark budget? If Subaru, at least go for one with a timing chain. Not necessarily for the lower maintenance cost but they seem more resistant to developing oil leaks. They may use more oil though.

How about a 2009/10 Pontiac Vibe, front wheel drive, maybe AWD? It’s a Camry in a Pontiac shell.

If FWD, put on Blizzacks or similar for the Winter months.

CRV or RAV4

'Winter capable' and budget clarification would be beneficial.

Honda and Toyota are probably going to be off the table if the $$ is really tight unless you get one that's as old as your Forester with high miles.

You your $$ will go a lot farther with something like a Dodge Journey or Ford.

If you have the time and can search, you can probably find an older 'cream puff' (low miles, well-maintained) Subaru Forester or Outback. But like you, most Subbie owners keep and drive them a long time, so finding one under 100K can be a bit of a challenge.

Car Gurus, CarFax, etc. can have search parameters/notifications set. Make/model etc. within a certain radius, etc. to help out.

One main thing to do is search while you have the luxury of at least some time (ie. you're not desperate), which it looks like you're already doing.

Good luck!
Boss

quote:

Originally posted by caneau:
CRV or RAV4

Yep. If you can't find an affordable Subaru, some flavor of Honda or Toyota compact SUV with AWD would probably be your next best bet for a "cheap but reliable AWD with decent MPG". Maybe even something a little larger like a Pilot, although the older Pilots don't have the best MPG.

Just get another Subaru, a few years newer and a few less miles.

quote:

Originally posted by Boss1:
'Winter capable' and budget clarification would be beneficial.

Winter capable simply means AWD or 4WD around here.

As for budget, we're talking rather meager (way under 5 figures).

I'll have him check out that used 2001 Forester.

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:

quote:

Originally posted by Boss1:
'Winter capable' and budget clarification would be beneficial.

Winter capable simply means AWD or 4WD around here.

As for budget, we're talking rather meager (way under 5 figures).

Fair enough. Plenty of 4WD/AWD out there.

But going from $3K to $6K for a budget opens a lot more doors.

You're obviously on the right track. As previously said, hop on CarGuru's or one of the other sites and take a look around. They've come along way since the ol' days of AutoTrader with a single B&W photo of the 'good side' of the car. You can get some pretty thorough photographic 'walk arounds' from the comfort of your couch. If you open you search radius a bit (100+ miles), you'll probably be able to come up with a short list pretty quick.

Also, if you're a veteran, USAA has some car shopping/buying features you might check out.

Good luck!
Boss

quote:

Originally posted by Boss1:

But going from $3K to $6K for a budget opens a lot more doors.

Sorry TYPO... meant way under 6 figures.

And Subaru doesn't "certify" any pre-owned vehicles over 5 years old.

quote:

Originally posted by Boss1:
Also, if you're a veteran, USAA has some car shopping/buying features you might check out.

Haven't used USAA car services since the early '80s for a leased deal. Had no idea they had a used car program....

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:

quote:

Originally posted by Boss1:

But going from $3K to $6K for a budget opens a lot more doors.

Sorry TYPO... meant way under 6 figures.

And Subaru doesn't "certify" any pre-owned vehicles over 5 years old.

quote:

Originally posted by Boss1:
Also, if you're a veteran, USAA has some car shopping/buying features you might check out.

Haven't used USAA car services since the early '80s for a leased deal. Had no idea they had a used car program....

Under FIVE figures is anything up to $9,999 (there's 4 figures there).

Under SIX figures is anything up to $99,999 (there's 5 figures there).

Just say, "I would like to spend around $6,000" because we have no idea if your idea of "well under FIVE figures" means $2,000, $6,000, or $8,000.

quote:

Originally posted by Ronin101:
https://www.courtesysubaru.com/

there was a 2001 forester with a 115 thousand miles and a manual transmission.

I guess I would buy a certified preowned from your local dealership. tell them what you want and they will hunt it down or wait till it shows up!!!

No certified preowned programn for vehicles over 5 years old.

Carfax says that 2001 has been in an accident.

Well shit...Sorry. I'm still on my first cuppa and this whole thing is stressing us all out.

Yeah... well under $10k and best in the $3k to $7k range.

Does it necessarily need to be an SUV/Light Truck?

A Subaru Legacy sedan is mechanically identical to the ever-popular Subaru Outback (tall wagon/crossover), but can be had several thousand dollars less than the Outback. You lose a couple of inches in ground clearance, and some trunk space, but you still get Subaru's symmetrical all wheel drive.

I would even consider buying it from Southern California and road tripping it back--cars down here are in generally good shape because we don't get snow (and thus, no gravel or salt on the roads), and cars here are plentiful. A pandemic roadtrip might be nice, especially if your son is underemployed right now and has lots of idle time.

Edit: You may even consider looking in the bay area (not in San Francisco itself, but in silicon valley). Subaru's are everywhere up there and the weather and roads up there are generally quite mild.

Check into Chadron Motors across the line in Nebraska. Several people around here have good experiences with them. They did close their Hot Springs location, but do deliver into the Hills area.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
Does it necessarily need to be an SUV/Light Truck?

Unlike densely populated areas with a large tax base to support winter road maintenance, this area is sparsely populated so... Snow removal waits until snow stops in many cases and in general aside from the interstate hiways winter road conditions suck. So an AWD or 4WD is all but necessary to counter that if you don't want to end up in a ditch or worse.


And no, no road trip is possible.

Start searching on autotrader to get an idea of what is out there.

quote:

Originally posted by walkinghorse:
Check into Chadron Motors across the line in Nebraska. Several people around here have good experiences with them. They did close their Hot Springs location, but do deliver into the Hills area.

Jim neither their web site nor facebook page give any kind of used inventory....