DC Suburbs- Alternate car?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 286
Likes: 1
From: Fairfax VA
DC Suburbs- Alternate car?
Hi everyone, this question is kinda specific to the DC suburbs, but anyone can throw in their two cents, it is subjective...
I've just lost use of my crappy car (I'm surprised it's lasted this long) and I need to replace it. My Corvette is running fine, but I don't want to drive it in the rain / snow so I need to replace my 1988 Totota Corolla.
What cars do you use as a backup/alternate? If you're stuck in a mini-van or SUV because of wife and kids, I don't have those, so what car would you want to drive around? Keep in mind that this is mostly suburban driving, lots of rush-hour traffic and what not.
I was considering a Jeep Wrangler because it'll drive well in the snow and they're incredibly fun to take off-roading, but the discomfort of the freezing temperatures and the lack of insulation the top provides have driven me to keep looking. I'd like to keep it in the small-car range because parallel parking and narrower city streets make the larger vehicles unwieldy.
Thanks for you input!
Mike
I've just lost use of my crappy car (I'm surprised it's lasted this long) and I need to replace it. My Corvette is running fine, but I don't want to drive it in the rain / snow so I need to replace my 1988 Totota Corolla.
What cars do you use as a backup/alternate? If you're stuck in a mini-van or SUV because of wife and kids, I don't have those, so what car would you want to drive around? Keep in mind that this is mostly suburban driving, lots of rush-hour traffic and what not.
I was considering a Jeep Wrangler because it'll drive well in the snow and they're incredibly fun to take off-roading, but the discomfort of the freezing temperatures and the lack of insulation the top provides have driven me to keep looking. I'd like to keep it in the small-car range because parallel parking and narrower city streets make the larger vehicles unwieldy.
Thanks for you input!
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
How far is your commute?
Budget?
Do you mind shifting a lot in your commute?
We should be able to help if we knew that.
When my 90 Dodge Shadow finally goes to the auto graveyard I'll be facing the same problem. Its got 200K on the clock and I dive it about 110 miles a day.
Budget?
Do you mind shifting a lot in your commute?
We should be able to help if we knew that.
When my 90 Dodge Shadow finally goes to the auto graveyard I'll be facing the same problem. Its got 200K on the clock and I dive it about 110 miles a day.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,730
Likes: 32
From: Northern VA
Cruise-In 7-8-9-10-11-12 Veteran
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
Alernate Ride
When the going gets tough (i.e., snow, freezing rain, sleet, etc.) I park my new C6 and jump into my '00 Toyota 4Runner.
It keeps me warm, dry, and safe as I sit up high enough to see what the idiots on the Dulles Toll Road are up to as I drive from Herndon into Tyson's Corner.
It keeps me warm, dry, and safe as I sit up high enough to see what the idiots on the Dulles Toll Road are up to as I drive from Herndon into Tyson's Corner.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,418
Likes: 13
From: California
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude's Donor '06
Two of my roommates have wranglers. The heaters work really well and you really aren't cold even with the lack of insulation. The only real downside is wind noise.
How about taking the metro?
How about taking the metro?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,670
Likes: 4
From: Severna Park MD
Jeep Cherokees get around in bad stuff better than Wranglers. The Cherokees go anywhere any time. In the worst snow storms the fastest vehicles on the road are Cherokees.
My brother had a Jeep CJ. With the big tires and short wheelbase it was absolutely treacherous in snow. If you love doing 360s in traffic then get one of them.
My daughter Robin swore by her Chevy Blazers, and they are very reasonable on price used.
My brother had a Jeep CJ. With the big tires and short wheelbase it was absolutely treacherous in snow. If you love doing 360s in traffic then get one of them.
My daughter Robin swore by her Chevy Blazers, and they are very reasonable on price used.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 3,583
Likes: 0
From: Leesburg Va
I use a '93 S10 Blazer 4 door for my DD... I have driven it through some deep snow in New Hampshire and a Blizzard in Philadelphia and have never had a problem with it... It actually has a lot of room in the back seat as well... Only problem is the damn Central Port Fuel Injection (spider). Had it fail about 4 years ago and it needs to be replaced again... other than that, it's a great DD for around here...
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,004
Likes: 2,510
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
if you are looking for a 4wd vehicle - chevy blazers, old bravada, gmc jimmy - they all had terrible resales and residuals - CHEAP!!!!!
Great bang for the buck - Bravada has AWD and possibly the best in creture comforts - 4wd Blazers and Jimmy are more basic - last 200k + no problem!
Want cheap and reliable, my beater cavalier has 107k, has been in for one recall and a head gasket campaign - both were zero $$$ out of pocket - Head gasket campaign was done @ 99996 mi, Thanks Chevrolet
Great bang for the buck - Bravada has AWD and possibly the best in creture comforts - 4wd Blazers and Jimmy are more basic - last 200k + no problem!
Want cheap and reliable, my beater cavalier has 107k, has been in for one recall and a head gasket campaign - both were zero $$$ out of pocket - Head gasket campaign was done @ 99996 mi, Thanks Chevrolet
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 3
From: Jupiter Florida
I high a high performance Honda Accord with an automatic and 180,000 miles on it...go after Toyota Echos and the like 
Actually my beater is perfect...go anywhere and best thing is it looks bad enough (faded paint couple & dings here and there) that SUVs AVOID me thinking 'man that POS could hit me' 
Michael
Actually my beater is perfect...go anywhere and best thing is it looks bad enough (faded paint couple & dings here and there) that SUVs AVOID me thinking 'man that POS could hit me' Michael
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