06-15-2006, 07:22 AM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,518
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What's your OTHER ride ?
Ok, I know it is about 5 months too early to start worrying about this, but since I am in Chicago I have been debating whether or not I want to "winterize" my Boxster or just buy a beater car for the winter. I figure that to make my car winter ready, I am looking at about $3000 for the hard top, $450 for winter tires, and $1400 for wheels. Then I still have to deal with salt and snow getting on my beloved Porsche. So, I am thinking about taking the $5k and buying a winter "beater". My question is, for those of us not lucky enough to live in California or down south, what is your "other" car ? Any suggestions for a good winter car in the $5k range ? Thanks !
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06-15-2006, 07:58 AM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Buffalo, New York
Posts: 35
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I got a Ford Explorer with high miles for my other car. I keep it on the road year round. It is great to have something else for longer business drives, going to shady neighborhoods, loading stuff and for winter of course. I bought it for 4k (but that was with a family discount). I would think you could get something that looks ok and runs well for 5k.
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06-15-2006, 08:00 AM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Boston
Posts: 66
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I typically have my GF's car to drive in the winter if it is bad out (Saab 9-3), great car. I think I will be doing the same thing as you this winter. I was looking on ebay, and personally I am going to try and find a Audi A4, or maybe a Nissan Maxima. You can get those relatively cheap with somewhat high miles.
__________________
CHEERS........... JMG 
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06-15-2006, 08:08 AM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Boston,MA
Posts: 121
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2nd car
My second car is a beat-up Kia Sephia  i use it during winters here in boston, and for the usuall errands...etc...
Although it is on its last legs, and is dangferously close to being a money pit... I am def. looking for something with 4WD but just waiting for the right car to come along...especially since I have the entire summer, fall and even part of winter to look for a car...
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06-15-2006, 08:11 AM
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Boston,MA
Posts: 121
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suggestions...
NICKCATS..
how about a Subaru, i think a nice 99 - 2000 model with high miles might run around your budget....
Plus it's great for harsh winters and has a decent fuel economy.
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06-15-2006, 08:13 AM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North New Jersey
Posts: 440
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I usually have a company car but 5K can get you into an older Audi A4 Quattro.
Great winter car.
I used to have an S4.
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06-15-2006, 08:18 AM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: new york
Posts: 207
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You have to be kidding...winterize a Porsche?!?! it sounds so girlie.
I drive my 996 Turbo in the winter and my Boxster S in the summer. Dude don't limit your self and enjoy your car. your car will outlast you by 100 years.
Germany makes Chicago weather like Florida.
:dance:
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06-15-2006, 08:19 AM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: North New Jersey
Posts: 440
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[QUOTE=porscheracer]You have to be kidding...winterize a Porsche?!?! it sounds so girlie.
I drive my 996 Turbo in the winter and my Boxster S in the summer. Dude don't limit your self and enjoy your car. your car will outlast you by 100 years.
Germany makes Chicago weather like Florida.
QUOTE]
True, I drove a 951 with Blizzaks or Dunlop Winter Sports for 9 winters!
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06-15-2006, 08:22 AM
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,518
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porscheracer, I agree. I would just hate to expose the car to the salt and all. Plus, I would definitely need new tires, mine would suck in the snow. So then I would need another set of wheels, much easier to switch. And would rather have the hard top in the winter, so it makes more sense to buy another car...
Last edited by NickCats; 06-15-2006 at 08:25 AM.
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06-15-2006, 11:46 AM
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#10
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Porscheectomy
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Seattle Area
Posts: 3,011
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by dennizxxx
NICKCATS..
how about a Subaru, i think a nice 99 - 2000 model with high miles might run around your budget....
Plus it's great for harsh winters and has a decent fuel economy.
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I've got a 97 Impreza Outback Sport with some suspension mods. It's surprisingly fun to drive and actually has excellent grip wet or dry with a set of WRX wheels and tires. I'd highly recommend the Subaru route. It's easily within your budget.
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06-15-2006, 02:46 PM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Coppell, TX
Posts: 317
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When the snow gets too deep I have an Escape, but about 90% of the time the Boxster is fine in snow...I do use Blizzak's. Having driven a Mustang in Colorado winters the Box is great. Most of the time the Mustang was undrivable in even 1" deep snow if it is slick and cold. The car wouldn't turn. One day I had to drive it backwards home from a gas station because I could not get it up a small incline. The Boxster's balance and clutch sensitivity make it an OK winter car (not great). Good judgement on road conditions still prevails! But I couldn't park the Boxster for the whole winter!
__________________
"97 Boxster" Guards Red, Coppell, TX 36,500 miles
2010 Mazda CX-7 AWD, Turbo, Grand Touring
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06-15-2006, 08:16 AM
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,518
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Cool, didn't think about an A4. I was looking at an old BMW 5 or 7 series. Can pick up a pretty decent one, high miles, for under $5k. I'll add Audi to my list. Would be nice to have 4WD.
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06-15-2006, 08:32 AM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2005
Location: San Clemente, CA
Posts: 244
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I have a '99 Sob 9-3 (repair bills precipitated the new name), but my main ride outside of the Box is my Vespa LX150. Perfect for local errands, fun as hell and 70mpg.
What is "winter?" 
__________________
2002 Triple-Black Boxster S
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06-15-2006, 08:38 AM
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 585
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I drive a Dodge Dakota when I'm not driving my Boxster. It's only a 2wd (not sure why I didn't buy the 4x4) so I have a set of winter tires and wheels for the truck. My Boxster will be a garage queen during the winter as the salt can eat up a car not to mention since we have to wash them by hand it is a PITA trying to get the undercarriage clean.
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06-15-2006, 10:49 AM
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#15
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Guest
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My daily driver is a '91 Jeep Cherokee with 175k+ on the clock (most of those miles in the past 5 years). Going to barns and various places that are often unpaved means the Box is really not suitable as my DD. I still put 8-10k/yr on her though.
Last edited by creseida; 06-15-2006 at 05:59 PM.
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06-16-2006, 04:32 PM
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#16
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1
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Too many ... A4 Avant, Spec Miata, Beetle (1970), Suzuki SV650, Triumph Thruxton, ....
I know, I need vehicular 12-step.
__________________
NEVER, EVER buy anything from Pelican Parts. NEVER !
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06-16-2006, 09:06 PM
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#17
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,518
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Happyzero, what's the scoop with Pelican Parts ?
PM me if you don't want to post...
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06-17-2006, 08:39 PM
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#18
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 32
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Winter calls for AUDI Quattro. Of course since I can't bring myself to drive the Porsche daily I only get it our for night drives and for weekend trips. So the AUDI is the work horse, a marvelous work horse.
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06-18-2006, 02:06 PM
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#19
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,518
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I think you guys talked me into an Audi Quattro. Sounds like a nice winter ride, like the AWD, and it looks like I can pick up a ten year old one in good condition with 100k + miles for around $5k. Thanks for the advice !
Nick
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06-18-2006, 03:07 PM
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#20
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Porscheectomy
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Seattle Area
Posts: 3,011
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by NickCats
I think you guys talked me into an Audi Quattro. Sounds like a nice winter ride, like the AWD, and it looks like I can pick up a ten year old one in good condition with 100k + miles for around $5k. Thanks for the advice !
Nick
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Some of the guys with more contemporary Audi's will chime in, but in my experience in the 90s with a 4000s, an older Audi is an expensive Audi.
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