Good Winter Driver while the Scion is parked
 

As the title suggests, I park the FR-S for the winter and drive the text book definition of a beater (‘06 Taurus) while she’s stored away. Well the Ford likely won’t see another winter (because it’s pushing 200k mi and I’m ready to be done anyway). For a winter car, and just a second car I can enjoy in contrast to the Scion, I’ve been looking at the WRX, GTI and Fiesta ST. I know these aren’t all in the same class, but they appeal to me for varyied reasons, AWD, modern comforts, lightweight fun. But putting all those individualities aside, has anyone ever driven one? Which of the three will give the most enjoyable drivers experience with a good set of winters and some snow on the ground? Or better yet is there a another car I should be looking at? Of course price is a limiting factor but right now I’m all ears

GTI and Fiesta ST are not AWD. Only the WRX.

If you want easy daily just get one of the new cars with radar guided cruise control with lane assist. All you do is turn on cruise control & watch it follow some car till you are home, you just need to turn the steering wheel. Even all new toyotas have it, HYBRID COROLLA or the weird AWD Prius. Balling at 55+ MPG minimummmm.

Yeah I know that thanks. I am just looking to see if anyone has experience with these cars and what their recommendations would be. Of course AWD would be a lot of fun, but I can survive with FWD. I meant: WRX = AWD, GTI = cozy interior, ST = lightweight

Why go all the way to a WRX/GTi/ST for a winter car? Not like you need that level of performance. Everybody here likes to focus on the performance cars when there is nothing wrong with a base Impreza, Golf, or Fiesta when looking at a winter able vehicle. You can pick any of those up used for a very reasonable price.

I actually enjoy driving my wife's 5 door Mini Cooper. It's just a base with a tubo 3-cyl but pretty damn rapid due to short gearing and plenty of torque from down low. In sport mode it's a hoot, and never let me down in a snow storm. I bet the S version (or since you prefer AWD, the ALL4) would be lots of fun. They're torquey cars, always like a puppy straining at the leash. Can't really beat the stylish interior and they come with a manual.

200k on a Ford is not the same as 200k on other makes/models. I'd still consider a used beater car that seems to have been cared for. The old 93-2001 Impreza chassis is fun to drive in the winter, just keep a backstock of calipers.

I drive a 04 Celica GTS for winter and it's absolutely amazing. 6 speed, 8k redline and has the same driver feel as the 86 platform. Also, they are fairly affordable for a winter car. If the Celica is too small for you the 03-06 Matrix XRS also has the same engine/trans for that hatch feel.

Budget?


I have owned my Honda Ridgeline for 14 years and put 200k miles on it. I have two friends who have bought one after driving mine. It's AWD and has 4-wheel locking capabilities, so better than just AWD.


WRX's are cool, but can they drive through several feet of water if needed? Just saying...

Not related to any of this fun cars you mention, but if you reconsidered have a "Winter Beater" I recommend you a very cheap and reliable car: Toyota Corolla 2001. Is my beater and so far after two years of commute in winter something around 50 Km's each way, with a minimum maintenance (oil changes, new battery, good snow tires) the car still being a reliable transportation and some how "fun" to drive, while my '86 is waiting for spring...My two cents.

I think he wants cheap, reliable and fun for the winter, emphasis on fun. I'd vote for an old WRX bugeye wagon, although may not have all the modern creature comforts. Or maybe an old R32?

1. Buy a second FR-S
2. Put 16" steelies and Blizzaks (or other high quality winter tire) on it
3. ????
4. Profit

How about an older Subaru {not BRZ} got some room inside most last a while, not too expensive, good traction. Evan can pull a small trailer.

I'm really enjoying my 2008 Honda Fit 5spd.
Great shifter for an econobox, as well as surprisingly-good handling.
With the 5-speed, keeping up/ahead of traffic is a breeze. You can also put on winter tires on either 14" or 15" wheels. Getting 29+ MPG in winter driving, with mostly city-driving.

You’re exactly right, I suppose I’m dreaming a bit. Anything with an H-box that doesn’t feel like driving a boat will be an improvement. I guess I started looking at STs for 10k and snowballed from there...

R32 would be great but most of them seem to be pushing $12k already. I can do without creature comforts, so that does leave options

Yeah they're a little on the more expensive end of things - love that VR6 though. Maybe a plain old MK4 GTI VR6, FWD with good snow tires is just about as good as AWD in inclement weather.

Just bought a 2008 Subaru Forester 5MT with ~120k miles for a winter beater this year and it's a nice contrast to the BRZ with AWD, high off the ground and ultra practical and only cost me $3500CAD all said and done to get it on the road, even came with cheap winter tires. I also lucked out because it is a loaded base model so it's got a moon roof, heated seats and mirrors, adjustable everything and even hill start assist which my BRZ doesn't have. Only complaints are the driving position is less than stellar and like all older, high mileage Subarus, it has some issues but nothing serious.

I had an 09 Forester manual for a long time. It was one of the best, most useful vehicles I have ever owned. In snow, with snow tires, it was hysterically capable.


I lean towards a forester as a DD almost every time now, I've had two and they were a great combination of practicality, fun, reliability, and decent gas mileage.

Also, while not sports car fun, you could also have fun driving through brick walls with a well maintained 100 series land cruiser :D

A big lifted truck.

Its all the rage in my neck of the woods......

^^^
A base RS non-turbo impreza would be my pick. Less reliability issues, AWD to pull you through the nasty stuff. A guy in my neighborhood has one. Never has problems with it. Older foresters are nice too[early 00's]

Otherwise a civic or something for a grand I can beat on and dump in the summer for the same price.

Another twin for winter... No other choice.

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Don't want to get too old though or then you start to run into old car issues.

You only need snow tires for your FR-S. That is what I do. Drive it!