I love driving my C4S, but I am deathly afraid of it getting smacked during the winter months by some overly zealous and/or under-experienced DC-area driver. The question is this: Do I spend ~$4K for a set of winter wheels/tires (or use my stockers and then spend ~$5K for a set of LM-Rs for summer), do I get a new GTI or WRX for ~$330/mo on a 36-mo lease, or do I buy a 2006/2007 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 for about $10-12K?

I would make a poll, but I'd really like to get your ideas. I KNOW my C4S can handle the light snow we get in DC, but I'd like to hear what you guys think. The pluses for having a DD are that I have plenty of parking and I could use it for work, the minuses are the hassles of maintaining a 3rd car, shuffling them around, etc.

Let me know what you think I should do! Thanks in advance...

 

There was a Swiss guy on rennlist who has a 996 Turbo that he drives all year long with I think something like 120K miles on it.

With winter tires, the Turbo drove fine with no issues.

Your issue is going to be the "moran" drivers in DC, which my MIL complained about while she lived there (she grew up in MI), something about DC drivers can't handle snow.

So, that being said, a winter beater seems like a good idea.

Further, since you like driving a P car, I would say that the truck driving experience is probably a huge downgrade. And FWD or not, I would still put on snow tires just in case.

All that being said, how much are last gen STI's or Evo's? They look way better to me than the new gen. Oh wait, do the Fairfax cops still have you sighted in an Evo?

 

Yeah, I've thought about another Evo... just not worth the hassle and they are still like $36K. I can get a 2010 WRX (not STI) for $330/mo w/$1500 down for 36 mos. Seems like a good deal...

 

How about these?

2004 Volkswagen R32 in WHITTIER , CA 90602: Hatchback Details - 255775055 - AutoTrader.com

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb

A little more money, but you know how desirable the R32's are. So when you sell it, it will still be worth quite a bit.

 

Definitely go for something like a WRX. The only problem is that you might find the interior really shabby.

 

The new WRX's are great cars ( for what they are ) and you don't need the Sti.

 

Go the truck route man. You can treat it like a true beater, and even having a WRX won't help if we get more than 6" of snow until it's cleared. Also doesn't cover someone smacking into your leased WRX.

Find a good 4WD truck for a couple thousand and call it a day. Your biggest obstacle actually is your own mindset when it comes to vehicles. Even if you buy a 4x4 for $3k it will take while for you to adopt the beater mindset and not treat it like a brand new $30k truck.

 

Thanks for the inputs - I think you guys are seeing my dilemma... I understand the +/- of all the above cars. I've considered R32s, Volvo V50s, and everything in between. As far as trucks go, they are my last choice, but I understand the utility and "beatability" of one. Shabby interiors don't frighten me - I owned a '93 Thunderbird for 4 years and an Evo!

Please keep the opinions coming. I'm sure there are some things I haven't considered yet. My "budget" is about $10K for a purchase, or about $300-350/mo on a lease.

 

I gotta agree with Gobbles, if you are looking for a pure bad weather vehicle get a cheap truck. The added bonus is that you could also get some Git-R-Done stickers and a set of those plastic balls that people hang from the hitch.

 

There is no snow in DC to speak off, if we have 2 days of 1-2 inches thye Metro area is literally shut down and nobody goes to work anyway.
I drive my Cayman all year long. I would not invest in winter tires here nor in a sole winter car unless you have any other need for it. But be warned, now that I made this prediction we will have a 2-week blizzard and a foot of snow for 2 months ...