Dear Scotty,
I am international student and I will be moving to Upstate New York. I need a used AWD car for under $10,000 that is super reliable and low maintenance, body style and size don't matter, what options do you suggest?
Thanks for your great channel!
Ali M.
A front wheel drive car works just fine in the snow. Realize that the tires make lots of difference in the snow. I would consider a Toyota or Honda.
Thanks. Getting something FWD would definitely make the choice easier. Although, as I haven't ever lived in a cold climate I'm a bit reluctant on that one.
If you can drive as good as a 95 year old, even an old Corolla would be sufficient.
I doubt if I can xD
I disagree with these people saying no to AWD and saying to get a corolla. Considering your wishlist and budget, condition, mileage, and availability of good deals are far more important than brands or models. A Chevy Tahoe with low mileage is a much better deal than a 4Runner with 180k for the same price, if you ask me. Also, expect to get lousy gas mileage in any older 4x4. You're a student, so you probably drive few enough miles that this isn't really a problem. I say go all in while you're here in the states and get yourself a real American tank. One thing I'd add though, Ford and GM from the late 90s and early 2000s weren't bad, but stay away from Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge. Can't go wrong with a Tahoe, Yukon, Expedition, or Explorer. If a deal presents itself and you really want to go the whole hog, consider a Suburban, Yukon XL, or Excursion. You have the freedom to not really worry about fuel mileage, why waste that on a crossover? {pear}:exhausted:
True, I don't care much about gas mileage, as long as it's a reliable vehicle I don't have to spend a lot of money on, it's fine with me.
Ford, GM, and Nissan are likely to give you a lot of bang for your buck, and if you go back to the 90s and early 2000s, all of them made very solid body-on-frame, truck-based SUVs.
I would stay away from AWD. AWD cars use more gasoline than you think. Since you are moving to the cold north, go for a 4wd vehicle. It'll work better in the snow.
Vehicles- older Ford ranger or older dodge Dakota.
Find a manual Honda Fit or if you must have AWD, get a manual Subaru Crosstrek.
PS. This is the wrong time to find a cheap used car.
Get something which has good resale, or you’ll be stuck with it when it’s time to go back home..
Very much agree that it's the wrong time for car buying xD prices are through the roof especially the more popular models, that's why I'm having a hard time making a decision
What are your options, in your area?
I heard you want AWD 2009 Matrix. Don't buy the Matriz with the 2.4L engine(2AZ-FE). Get the 1.8L engine.
That's what I thought too, thanks! But I think only the ones with 2.4L engines came with AWD. although what good does that do if you have to constantly worry about burning oil! (Insert scotty's laughing horses) XD
Your welcome {black}:cool:
Scotty has the Matrix with the 1.8L engine. It is used in Camrys and Corollas.
100% agree, the 1st gen Matrix with the 1zz-fe 1.8L will outlive the 2nd generation with the 2.4L , mine is 15 years old and already starting to outlive some 2nd gens from the FB group
Nice. Good luck with finding the car.
Thank you for your answer!
Sorry I didn't clarify but I don't want a pickup. Any sedan, hatchback or SUV you'd recommend?
Sedans won't work well in the snow ( I grew up in New York). You can try a Jeep but look over with a mechanic.
Will check them out. Thanks.
If u want the best AWD car for the money, you can't beat the AWD systems of Honda and Subaru. They hold up rlly well. Toyota is also good, but IMO Honda and Subaru have better AWD systems.
I actually had my eye on 3rd gen Subie Imprezas. I like the design and I may even be able to find a manual transmission which is a plus for me. Although I wonder if they have problems with their headgaskets.
As for AWD Hondas, I can only think of the CR-V which is good and all but I'm not a huge fan of their design, especially the taillights.
the newer Subarus don't have the head gasket issue. If you can find like a 2009- present Impreza, Forester (finding a forester with a manual is pretty rare but possible), they can be excellent. But if ur talking like early to mid-2000s Subarus with the NA flat 4's ur gambling since those were notorious for blowing head gaskets, u would have to go WRX to not have that issue unless someone abused it.
I see, thanks!
1st gen Toyota Matrix AWD would do you great for probably 1/2 that price. Just make sure you get it checked out by a mechanic when you buy it as you'll be pretty far north, very salty. Save the other $5000 for registration, insurance and maintenance.
Scotties wife drives a FWD version and he has nothing but good things to say about it, the AWD doesn't transfer to the rear wheels unless the front is slipping or you're flooring it from a light, so gas millage is comparable to the FWD version by around 5mpg less. Way better than most other full-time AWD cars.
I drive an 06 Manual FWD Matrix personally and absolutely love it, will fit your hatchback/SUV livestyle perfectly, it has more cargo space than a Ford Ecosport.
You're very much on point. I have personally considered the second gen Matrix, it definitely has everything I am looking for, but was reminded that the AWD version used the notorious 2AZ-FE engine and although I think the later models have the fixed engine, I couldn't find any info on when the problem was fixed. So, the first gen AWD Matrixes don't have the 2AZ-FE engine, right?
I'm in a Matrix group on Facebook and we actually recommend to steer away from the 2nd generation, they're already dying off and having mechanical issues while the first generation with the 1zz-fe is still going strong. Mine is 15 years and will easily last another 15 if I treat it right! Parts for the 1zz-fe is so readily available it's nuts, the entire front end past the firewall is EXACTLY the same as the 1zz-fe powered Corolla and Camry of the time. My local U-Pull is full of them! Much harder to source parts for the 2nd gen.
There's many features taken away on the 2nd generation, the most major one is the pop-up rear glass. You can haul inf length wood in the 1st gen Matrix because the rear glass pops up (not the whole hatch).
Grab yourself a 1st gen AWD XR package, swap out the deck for something modern with Apple Carplay / Android Auto, perhaps throw some Celia Seats and seat rail extenders in it if you don't find it comfortable and you'll find yourself loving it for many years to come!