Replacement for winter vehicle

[JGood]

~2 years ago I bought a 97 Explorer V8 for a winter DD. It gets 16mpg.

So what can I replace it with? I'm thinking maybe a Subaru Legacy wagon? It needs to be AWD, whatever I get. I like the interior room of the Explorer for hauling car parts and stuff, so it needs to have a big trunk area of some sort.

I'm looking to spend under $5k, but would consider more. It doesn't have to be pretty. But it does have to be VERY reliable, easy and cheap to work on, and get 25+ mpg.

Suggestions?

[thectrlguy]

Ix?

[JGood]

Nahh, need a bit more room. I like being able to fold the seats down in the Exploder, and loading up big stuff like tires, engines and bumpers and stuff. I do a lot of junkyard trips, and am constantly getting new tires mounted for the track car.
Being able to hold 8 tires easily is a must

[thectrlguy]

An IX and a utility trailer?

But really.... some sort of wagon I suppose... Volvo perhaps?

[KevyWevy]

i have a 97 legacy sedan and love it. you would definetly need the wagon though. as for gas milage, i only get around 20-22 but mine is an auto. great in the snow, which is the main reason i bought it. my 4runner was just too expensive with the gas. :s
but if you don't need AWD, there are probably some other options like an old volvo that would get a bit better gas milage.

[PiercedE30]

Volvo Cross Country VC70 Turbo.

[JGood]

It's a winter/bad weather vehicle, so all wheel drive would be the purpose. And yes, wagon or mini-suv-type-thing is a must, I need nearly the same room my Explorer had.

20-22 mpg with the legacy? Hmmm... That's not enough of an improvement for me to ditch the Explorer.

I don't think anything is going to satisfy me...

[DaveSmed]

It doesn't have to be pretty...

[KevyWevy]

It's a winter/bad weather vehicle, so all wheel drive would be the purpose. And yes, wagon or mini-suv-type-thing is a must, I need nearly the same room my Explorer had.

20-22 mpg with the legacy? Hmmm... That's not enough of an improvement for me to ditch the Explorer.

I don't think anything is going to satisfy me...

yeah thats the 2.5 with auto, theres gotta be something wrong with it, i just can't figure out what! they're rated at higher than that and most people get higher. the older ones get better milage though i think.

[mrsleeve]

Jeep cheroke classic, lots of room, good 4x4, if in good runnig order get decent fuel mileage and are cheaper and easier to fix than any scoubi I have worked on.

5k will get you a pretty good 1 they can be had from 800 bucks.

[JGood]

Jeep cheroke classic, lots of room, good 4x4, if in good runnig order get decent fuel mileage and are cheaper and easier to fix than any scoubi I have worked on.

5k will get you a pretty good 1 they can be had from 800 bucks.

A Cherokee is gonna get 25 mpg?

[SchnellerVert]

Forrester?

[DaveSmed]

AWD is gonna make it tough to find something getting that kind of mileage, esp under $5k

I have an interesting philosophy with winter cars, there's an auto donation center around here thats beater central. I'd say find some old 4 banger FWD wagon, make sure its at least somewhat mechanically sound and buy it for $400. Throw some cheap snows on it, run the crap out of it for a year or two, off road it, drive into curbs dumpsters, push broken down cars around with it, etc and when it blows up or the neighbors call the township on the eyesore, junk it and get $200.

[mrsleeve]

A Cherokee is gonna get 25 mpg?

The 2.5 4 banger My buddy had got 18ish with a 50/50 mixed driving and 23ish Highway for longer trips.

[DaveSmed]

Actually in all seriousness if that AMC did come with a 4 cyl (I honestly forget, or blocked it out) it might be the closest match.

It will also probably be the slowest thing you will have ever driven, riding mowers included.