Hey Scotty!
I'm moving near the Canadian Rocky Mountains next winter.
Will a corolla hatchback (front wheel drive) with winter tires suffice? Or should I pay a bit more and get a subaru crosstrek.
I'll be financing for 60 months so will need something that's a bit more rust proof and will last 5 years or more!
Will mainly be driving locally through town but plan on going to the mountains on the weekends.
I'm also open to getting something used like a previous generation rav4 or another subaru, any specific years you suggest?
Thanks!
Note: Budget of around $25k USD
plan on going to the mountains on the weekends.
If you mean paved resort roads, then they get plowed, so winter tires are fine. Any kind of off-road (and there are lots of beautiful gravel roads in the Rockies!) then you'll need a 4WD or AWD SUV.
AWD RAV4, AWD CRV, or a Subaru.
AWD RAV4, AWD CRV, or a Subaru (except a BRZ).
If you can drive stick, get a manual crosstrek. Id put winter tires on it too.
That's a tough one. You can get a Corolla hatch in your budget, but it would have to be pretty plain, and it may be hard finding one at that trim level (plus, snow tires would be required, as you said, which would add that much more to the cost). The Crosstrek would be perfect for your use, but even the base model is above your budget. At your price point, you can certainly find some good used cars that would work, but financing over 60 months could get you a pretty high interest rate.
If by "near" the mountains you mean Calgary or Edmonton, or someplace like that, you will be in good company with a front drive car. And if your trips to the mountains are primarily summer or involve mainly plowed roads, you should be fine. But if you are going to be doing a lot of backcountry driving in foul weather, then AWD/4WD will be worth it.
If you can get a good financing deal on a new Crosstrek such that the payment is in your budget, that's probably what I'd do. Otherwise, I would probably try to find a low-mile used Rav4.
