What cars do you drive for snow
Subaru are pretty good, however i use my mums corrolla to get to the snow, works a treat, can easily fit 4 people plus all their gear INSIDE the car (with one seat folded)
Its cheap, cheap to run and reliable and the new ones actually look good too.
Most hatches are actually pretty roomy and allow the whole backrow to be folded down.
Squeezy with four and a folded seat!!
I’m happy to pay extra fuel and be inconvienianced by using chains.
I have two cars:
#1
Type3 squareback 1968 VW wagon. My preferred ride. 6.5-8L/100km(freeway) so fast and powerful, cheap, rare, pimped and handles snow without chains (chains only for additional safetly/legality) it is rare and I love it so. Exhaust note so noisy it scares off wildlife including wombats, well before I need to consider brakes or swerving. It can be set up to live in easily when passenger seat is removed.
#2
2003 Ford Territory Ghia. AWD, traction control, leather interior, motorized seat, cruise control, drives like a sedan and heaps of space (can seat 5adults in ski gear (inc boots) and put boards, skis and helmets/bags in back) for return from DHG (can stretch that to 7adults) Or a dbl matteress with room for travel bag+snowboard bag+food. Or its a 7seater people mover. It’s terrible on fuel averaging 14.5L/100km and quiet - I’ve had to rely on the traction control/AWD system many times (just missed a big dear the other week).
Combine the two and you have a suby wagen 
Pazza,
If you’re looking for a second hand car, want AWD, but don’t want a hatch, maybe consider a ~2006 Holden Adventra wagon. They’re not as economical as a Subie, but they’ll carry a hell of a lot more cargo, and fit 5 adults very comfortably if need be. Great for long drives.
These are available with either a V6 or V8, although the V8 loves to drink.
Pretty sure a V6 Adventra fetches around $12k-$16k.
V8’s get much better mileage on the freeway. They are ideal as a tourer - especially when using cruise control.
Yeah, the V8 will purr like a kitten on the highways. Just thinking the V6 might be better day-to-day, around town etc.
As a tourer, I don’t think you can beat the Holden wagons for the price. Especially the V8’s.
I can back up what Spaz is saying, in my VE SSV ute I was getting almost 900kms to a 75 litre tank on the freeway, around town however this dropped to about half of that. The problem being that the Adventra and the HSV versions of this suffer from the same issue that Subaru and all AWD, 4WD cars do, the extra drivetrain friction adds considerably to the fuel usage when compared to a 2WD car of similar spec. The Holden AWD stuff is notoriously thirsty, figures around town of 20l/100km are pretty average, the 6 cylinder wasn’t much better cause it had to work so hard to lug around the weight. Personally I would go for Subaru way ahead of even looking at the Holden AWD.
This is the reason my VW gets such good economy and performance - so little friction and power loss through the drive-train because the wheels are driven straight from the box which is attached to the engine (and its very light).
The Territory is heavy, with a big straight 6cyl motor, it can drop to 10L/100km on freeway if driven under 100km/h.
Used to own a 350chev fully worked, big barrel carby and could get good economy on the freeway. Power doesn’t = thirsty. It’s the reverse.
eg: Stock VW engine, 1.6L, 45hp = 11L/100km
Worked, flat4, 2L, 120hp = 7L/100km
It’s about the workload on the engine. Big V8’s rev notoriously low and can cruise at 1000rpm while a 4cyl is revving at 4000rpm and needs the peddle depressed hard to get up hill (often with a gear change).
Subaru is a flat4 (or 6cyl) boxer engine - the same as old VW’s and Porsche. These engines provide big torque (like a V8) so don’t need the accelerator pushed to the floor or gear changes to get up hills.
Power = Good Economy, also transfers to using high octane fuel. Though the price difference at the pump tends to average out for the km’s gained using high octane fuel will equal longer distances between fill ups and better engine life. Not to mention is better for the environment since you use less product and in the long run will spend less at the mechanic.
^ Note: This is not spaztheory, it is tried and tested to be true
My VW is built to only use +98% octane fuels.
I use e10 in the territory as I’ve noticed little difference in economy on the school/work run (due to the weight of the car??) and it’s a Ford so it deserves to have an early death.
it’s a Ford so it deserves to have an early death.
best thing you have ever said…..
Be interested to see what my ‘62 mini will get economy wise once its on the road. Ive taken the super charger off it for now so it should be pretty good id imagine. I just need a break in the weather to finish it off.
Really happy with our VW Amarok, 4x4, Heading up to Hotham and back I average 8L / 100 and it has heated mirrors 
it’s a Ford so it deserves to have an early death.
best thing you have ever said…..
Oh yeah !!!!
Did you watch the Team Vodaphone Holdens smoke it yesterday ?!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been very happy with my Toyota Corolla hatchback. It’s a great running car, fuel efficient and most importantly it fits so much gear. The seats fold down completely flat so there is heaps of room to play with. I fit surfboards, snowboards, boxes, passengers… whatever.
Ask TJ how much gear we fit in my car driving to The Shred last year with 3 of us in the car. I’ll see if I can find some photos.
Photos from last year’s Shred. There must have been at least 20 snowboards in the car, 20 sets of bindings, luggage, beer, boots, boxes etc. Such a good car for travelling. Reliable, economical and plenty of packing room.
Trying to re-pack the car when picking up TJ
TJ when he was somewhat comfortable and happy
I think he’s in there somewhere
Cooma beer stop
I think if you dont want to get a 4x4 or AWD go with a hatchback. Front wheel drive also is much safer with chains than a rear wheel drive.
Obviously Subies are popular and they make a great snow car. I would love a Forester XT for snow and paddling too.
But I can say my 06 Mazda SP23 hatch has been absolute pleasre to drive. The space in it is amazing. It is a great car to drive in general. Quite sporty feeling, but nice to cruise in too. It has been on some rough roads and I live out of it for snow seasons. It is super reliable and good on fuel. the 2L engine is a bit better than my 2.3L.
I have roof racks on it but only use them if i need to. I put boats on top. but can fit a playboat in the back.
Same as rider, can fit surfboards, snowboards, a kayak (small playboat prob bout 6’ in length) and/or a double foam matteress in the back.
Actually I lie, just found a photo where I actually fitted 2 kayaks in the back!
