What are the best ski cars?

For me, it would be a Subaru. I have a Legacy and it's a great car. I only have the non turbo engine but the turbo should give you all the power you need. I drove the outback also and liked it. Not sure where you get mushy and doesn't handle the best unless your expecting Ferrari handling from a station wagon.

Had the car with zero repairs or break downs. Get like 26 mpg city/hwy and more on highway.

I just turned 100,000 miles on my 4th Subaru since 1980.  Never any real problems.

 

JF

My favorite ski car so far has been my current one, a 2004 Land Cruiser. Don't know if you are looking for used or not, though, since obviously a new one costs more than $30K.  It does not get good mpg, but aces everything else on your list. (I get 15 to 17 depending on whether the box is up top.) But the thing is a tank, hauls ass uphill at altitude, is very comfy and big enough to carry lots of stuff, but not enormous --  and nothing ever breaks. I've done nothing but routine maintenance and basic things like brakes and tires (it has 114K miles).  I hope/expect to drive it to 200K, as we have two kids entering college in the next several years....

 

My husband has an Audi Allroad -- also a great ski car in many ways, but I cannot brag about reliability, and it gets about the same gas mileage as the Land Cruiser. 

i love my 1996 honda accord 4 cylinder. vroom vrrrrrooooom. oh wait, thats mazda.

 

Just slap some blizzacks on that there and it climbs like a mountain goat, even the drive up and down to pow mow.

 

Though in all reality, rental cars including the subaru imprezza and nissan rogue drove a tad nicer -- could be related to them being 12 years newer.

 

You'll also find some very comprehensive info on this exact topic using the Search function.

Quite frankly, on long boring drives you are probably better off with a seat that is a bit less comfy.

 

I had a 96 Explorer I got from my neighbor.  His kids tore it up so I got if for cheap but the seats were so comfy with all kinds of pneumatic adjustments.  But then it was almost too comfy.

 

Volvo XC does well in snow.

 

So much is in the tires in how well something pulls or .... doesn't pull.

 

 

Yup... any car with Blizzacks will do !

Our '08 RAV4 (6 cyl / all wheel/four wheel drive) may have been the best winter vehicle I have ever owned.  We has a set of Pirelli off road tires on it in the winter that rode surprising well on the highway.   We got around 24 mpg with all the storage we needed and in a stretch I could sack out in the back.

 

We are making the switch to a VW Jetta Sportwagen diesel this season and crossing our fingers it does what we need it to do.

I've often wondered if a Humvee would be too brash.......

Edited by Gunnerbob - 9/9/11 at 9:47am

I've been thinking a lot about this and wish a car mag would do a definitive test.

 

Blizzacks are a must.  They transform any car.

 

Best in snow imho is a range rover.  Doesn't meet your reliability or gas mileage but best is best.  Heated door locks, heated front windscreen, a computer assisted snow mode, the ability to raise the car if it is high centered, etc. etc.  You could plow a road for the snow plow. $30K would buy a 2008 or so.

 

Audi's are also quite good with the quattro system and stability control system but unless you go suv you may not have the ground clearance you want (unless you go allroad or SUV).  Allroad is cool because you can raise and lower it.  If you get a turbo you should look into a software upgrade, it makes a huge difference.

 

Volvo XC SUV is excellent and like the Range Rover it has an electronic snow-mode that works.

 

One you may not have thought of is a 2008 BMW 535xi.  $30K will buy a low mileage 2008 model.  Good mileage, good power (especially with some software upgrades), and one of the nicest drivers in your price range.  Ground clearance again may be an issue.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWCuUAr7JP0&feature=player_embedded

 

 

 

 

Our Pilot and CRV are great ski cars, but our S2000 isn't (all are Honda). Nokian WRG2 tires work great on the SUVs all year too

Honda Pilot. Great traction - cruised up a 9% grade on week old pack, felt like driving on dry pavement. Plenty of power, gas milage sucks (those sorta go together, somehow). Safety? Got hit on the nose by cross traffic. The end of my frame broke his rear axle, I needed a new bumper. I think it has nine air bags in various places. Very comfortable for long drives, 90 feels same as 60. Probably due to the 4500# curb weight which also doesn't help gas milage. Reliability is great, We've put on 90,000 miles in six years, took the first set of tires and brakes at 78,000 miles. Haven't replaced a headlight yet. Not a long vehicle, if more than three riders you'll need a roof top box.

......I want a vehicle that requires no effort or money from me ever.... And it should do everything I want it to do for a long time. ............Oh  Vehicles are just so Stupid !

Edited by skimalibu - 9/7/11 at 7:15pm

How about:

30+mpg hwy

Plenty of torque for passing, turbo

Really comfortable for long trips, great stereo

All the electronic bells, abs, stability, full time awd

Good ground clearance, adjustable ride height

Handles ok, not a sports car.

Plenty of gear room

Top notch safety

 

07/08 ML 320 CDI

Used with 30k-40k miles around $30k in perfect condition

Good point, but I think Jon Olsson likes his.

 

 

Here is one with a box.

 

 

I don't think you'll find one car that meets all of those criteria.

 

MPG friendly - Ford Escape Hybrid (also ok in the snow, but generally handles like shit)

Safety - Volvo, Subie

AWD - Volvo, Audi, VW, Saab and 2 GM models all use the same AWD system

Comfort - Volvo, Nissan, Audi

Turbo - Volvo, Audi, VW

Reliable - Honda, Toyota, Mazda

 

I test drove the CX5 last year.  Fun car, low clearance in the back, I thought the CX7 was overall more useful for my needs.  Volvo XC has no issues driving through 1+ foot snow for extended period of time.  Heated windshield washer fluid nozzles are amazing while driving through a snow storm.  You use a ton of fluid, but it beats banging the ice off your wiper blades.  Highly recommended.

 

Wow Jon Olssen has a Limber Weenie!. To bad he wasted so much money on a poorly built and engineered car. He should have spent the money on a doctor for his real problem. How sad for him.

This:

 

I just bought a Honda Pilot specifically for ski trips.  Only thing that sucks is the gas mileage, although highway it's not too bad considering how big it is (around 20 mpg).  Otherwise I love it so far and it can hold 185cm skis with plenty of room to spare.

Late model Ford Explorer with RSC handling package.  My 2006 won't even let me do donuts in the icy parking lot; it's that good.  And the driver's seat is so uncomfortable, you'll never fall asleep at the wheel.

Hopefully a Volvo XC60 is up to the task, as mine should be delivered in 2 weeks time

 

Important factors in choosing the car:

 

- AWD (pluss studded tires on 17" winter rims - hehe )

- decent clearance

- no less baggage space than our Avensis wagon (most of the small SUVs have less - RAV4, Kuga, Tiguan etc.)

- great family car when not on ski duty

- looks kickass - R-Design in Passion Red with silver roof rails for maximum bling

 

Ticks all the boxes for modern bells, whistles and safety equipment. R-Design has stiffer suspension, but 18" rims keep it real.

 

Couldn't care less about MPG, as long as its not horrible. Chose the D3 (2.4l/163hp/420Nm) engine with a manual box.

 

 

Edited by Squawker - 9/8/11 at 12:47am

Probably going to be the black dog in this convorsation but the right model diesel truck makes a great ski car.

Plenty of room for all your gear

Good mileage (27+possible)

Lots of options for comfortable models with good interiors

4wd

Turbo

 

Not the best option but a good one if you need a vehicle for boat pulling or work.

May be hard to start at -20, have to carry an extra fuel filter all the time, keep diesel treat in the tanks, keep plugged in at night

Cornering definantly isnt nice and flat but you can get some on the straights.

No stability control, youve gotta know how to drive and take it easy on the right foot when its slick, they will send you 7 ways of sideways in a hurry

 

Ive been using my gasser sierra as a ski car for a while, handles great in the snow but is lacking a little in the power dept at high altitude, other than that 17hwy 12 city, which sucks when its just you in the car but its great when you have a boatload of passengers who are willing to pay for gas

I have over 30K miles on my XC60 T6 now.  It still takes off like it did on day 1.  Solid ski car, really does a superb job driving in the snow.

 

 

 

I liked my Cherokee so I picked up a used Grand Cherokee.  I'm very pleased with it.

 

 

 

RE: AWD, Audi uses the inferior Swedish Haldex system in its A3 an TT but not the other Quattro models.  Haldex is more reactive than preventive.

 

Safety & Comfort: I would add Land Rover, Mercedes and BMW, Subaru cars are not heavy enough to win the safety battle.

 

 

163hp at sea level and a 4300lb car isn't sufficient power at elevation.  That little 2.4L will be gasping trying to pull you up the hill.  Don't plan on any passing.

 

Oh sweet jello jesus what IS that amazing piece of machinery?!???  DO WANT!