<p>I am adding another post about cars. </p>
<p>I am looking for a car that is dependable and safe for winter driving that is around $20,000. I am not sure what I want but am open to everything as long as it’s rated high for safety crash tests (my dad reads the IIHS tests as his car bible!)</p>
<p>If you need a car for winter driving, you need a dependable car for winter driving, which may not fit the “top of the list in crash test” criteria. Judging by what was able to get up our icy hill last night, a used Subaru or a a used Lexus RX. 
Subarus are great for snow driving, and you might get a newer car. I see a 2010 Forester listed for $21K in the local paper, low miles.</p>
<p>Almost any of the Subaru models will do what you want, and some of them are in your range brand new (me, I would recommend picking up a used car coming off of a lease, specifically the low mileage leases where the car would have ~20k miles on it). The outback models, even the low end Impreza models are good in winter driving. There are also smaller Jeep models in that range, a late model used Toyota CRV would fall into that range as well. </p>
<p>One note on IIHS safety ratings and such, and that is they reflect crashworthiness in an accident only, but they don’t address something else, i.e how well they can keep you out of an accident. The big SUV’s, for example, that weigh a lot (basically pimped out pickup trucks) are going to do well in crash tests, they have tons of steel in them, are high off the ground, etc…yet because of their size, they also can flip over, and they because of their size are not going to handle well or brake well either, inertia and momentum are big factors (yes, to the person driving a big suv at 70mph on the highway in the snow talking on a cell phone, 4WD doesn’t change the laws of physics…). Smaller cars are going to be less protective in a crash (though with modern chasis design, airbags, side impact beams, etc, they can come close) but they also are easier to maneuver and can keep you out of crash because they will stop sooner and handle better then their bigger brethren, even on snow. </p>
<p>I love subarus personally, but these days there are other options. The other thing to keep in mind is that unless you are in an area like Minnesota or upstate NY that gets a lot of snow, where major snow storms are the norm, you often can do well with a front wheel drive car with good all season tires on it, it really depends on your driving habits and where you live. If you need to drive a lot, like commute to work, and live in the heavy duty snow belt, you might need AWD, if you are in a less snowy place you might be just as good with a FWD car (subarus are all AWD, but other models come in different flavors)</p>
<p>There are plenty of cars that cost under $20,000 new, and at least one model under $12,000 new.</p>
<p>Add an extra set of wheels with winter tires so that you can install them for the snow and ice season. This is a good idea even if you get an AWD car – AWD by itself does not help you turn or stop in the snow and ice.</p>
<p>away2school - Just a reminder … all-wheel drive will help you GO, but it won’t help you STOP.</p>
<p>A set of good winter tires will definitely help, but your head is the most important safety device when it comes to stopping.</p>
<p>Last couple of days we’ve been driving around in the snow, no skidding, no control problems, nothing. Seeing accidents, cars in the ditches, people sliding around. As my husband likes to pronounce, “We can do anything, we’re in a Subaru!” </p>
<p>It’s a perfectly sized car, can fit all your gear in it and people are comfortable, gas mileage is decent, price is right. It is safe and really great for winter driving without needing 4WD or even snow tires.</p>
<p>How’s the snow there today, Bunsen? I’m out of town, for the “WORST STORM IN 50 YEARS!” Supposedly.</p>
<p>busdriver, if you can stay out of this mess for another couple of days… go for it. Seatac is at a standstill. Snow is still falling hard everywhere. I think the weatherfolk scared enough people that almost everyone is staying off the roads, and that is great for the ones who have to drive their Subarus ;). I think this is a pretty bad storm, but so far it is not as bad as the one that hit us in 1996, so I would not call it the worst storm in 50 years. We shall see, it is not the end of it though…</p>
<p>Back to our $20K car discussion.</p>
<p>How’s the snow there today, Bunsen? I’m out of town, for the “WORST STORM IN 50 YEARS!” Supposedly.</p>
<p>We weren’t in Seattle for the 1996 storm- we were in the Methow, stuck since the passes were closed & even the Columbia Gorge was closed.
I think 1996 was worse. ;)</p>
<p>I expect it will be gone by Friday.</p>
<p>I wish I could get D a Subaru- but H insists on a car that is mostly built in US.
Makes it more difficult. Too bad Volkswagen bugs ( old style) aren’t on his approved list- they went in anything.</p>
<p>My flight through SeaTac today was cancelled, I am rescheduled for tomorrow, how does that look from what ya’ll are hearing? Darned rental car will cost more for one more day than it cost for the entire 4 day trip I had planned.</p>
<p>ek4–Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. ( SIA) is an Indiana-based manufacturer of the Subaru Outback, Legacy, and Tribeca line of vehicles.
[Subaru</a> of Indiana Automotive INC](<a href=“http://www.subaru-sia.com/]Subaru”>http://www.subaru-sia.com/)</p>
<p>Another vote for Subaru. Good little cars.</p>
<p>My subaru is from Indiana…</p>
<p>Kat</p>
<p>Thanks for the link- I will show him ;)</p>
<p>“My flight through SeaTac today was cancelled, I am rescheduled for tomorrow, how does that look from what ya’ll are hearing?”</p>
<p>2 out of 3 runways are fully operational as we speak; the problem could be that the airline personnel could not get to the airport due to snow. Overnight, we are looking at a possibility of freezing rain slowly turning into rain as the air gradually warms up. I hope your flight takes off on time.</p>
<p>Back to cars. :)</p>
<p>I just saw a funny video yesterday of what happens when (some) Seattle drivers try to drive in 1-2" of snow with some of the hills. It was funny to watch. It included a 4WD SUV slip-sliding and someone putting chains on the rear tires of the car that unfortunately for her (and apparently unbeknownst to her) was a front wheel drive vehicle. Many of these people didn’t realize the value of the right kind of tire or were caught off guard.</p>
<p>I’ve got to say that Subaru owners seem to be a very loyal lotand that’s enough to make them a worthy consideration. However, there are plenty of other reliable AWD/4WD vehicles out there that will also do well in the lousy weather assuming they’re correctly shod with the right tires so if for some reason a Subaru doesn’t appeal to you there are a number of other decent choices.</p>
<p>Too many hills- it is bad enough when it is wet because the roads aren’t maintained & you can get some drainage issues.</p>
<p>I have a set of snow tires ( not studded) that we just put on Sunday- didn’t think we were going to need them this year.</p>
<p>[Portland</a> Ice Storm - YouTube](<a href=“Portland Ice Storm - YouTube”>Portland Ice Storm - YouTube)</p>
<p>We had a Honda CR-V stick shift that was great in the snow. In general, I prefer stick shift cars in snow because I feel I have more control. </p>
<p>We now have a Subaru Outback and it is also great in the snow. I have no problems with our Prius in the snow, either. In this are, the big SUVs and 4WD folks think they are invincible in the snow – and they are the ones who wind up in the ditch. Totally agree that it’s what between the ears and a set of good tires that make for a safe driving experience.</p>
<p>Honda Fit gets great ratings – not sure if it has a stickshift option, but it’s under $20k.</p>
<p>Subaru Impreza</p>