Winter can be hard on cars, and the more you care about yours, the more likely you're apprehensive about all the salt and grime that will blanket the roads. Your car is too valuable to chance a fender-bender on the greasy streets, or running up onto a snowbank. That poor baby.
So it's time to think of the sacrificial lamb of the auto world: the winter beater. Especially good for people who live in rural areas with harsher climates and snow-packed roads who also have a place to store their summer cars, the winter beater can get you through the bitter weather while keeping salt, snow – and mileage – off your more valuable vehicle.
You're not supposed to care about the beater, it's simply a conveyance, so let's keep it under $2,000 here. But no matter what car you choose, a good set of winter tires is a necessary investment, and a new battery and timing belt might not be a bad idea, either.
Sensible
For reliability, it's hard to compete with the Toyota Corolla, found here up to 2002 with fewer than 200,000 kilometres. This is a simple car that, with proper upkeep, will last far longer than you might expect.
There's not a lot of power from its 1.8-litre inline four-cylinder, but it does give back exceptional fuel economy, and there's a choice of a four-speed automatic or a five-speed manual transmission. This front-wheel-drive compact sedan isn't fancy or exciting, but Consumer Reports lists the Corolla as a "good bet" and there have been no recalls for it.
For a little extra room, the Ford Taurus – up to around 2004 – is also a reliable, high-mileage car, and you'll find a few for sale with less than 180,000 kilometres. It's also not exactly exciting to drive, but that doesn't matter for a winter beater, especially not when you can seat five comfortably, have a huge trunk and can find a decent level of luxury features and options, such as leather seats and heated mirrors; this model also came in both sedan and wagon form.
The front wheels were powered by a choice of two 3.0-litre V-6s, either with 155 horsepower or 200 horses. Depending on the year, recalls look at the front coil springs, power seat adjustment track, the stop lamps, the air filter, power adjustable pedals, windshield wipers and seat belts.
Indispensable
With one of the best all-wheel-drive systems on the road, any Subaru would be a good choice with which to battle winter. At this price, it will be difficult to find anything with less than 200,000 kilometres on the clock, but even then, a Subaru is often just getting broken in, and you can expect many more years of service.
One of the better choices would be an Outback in either sedan or wagon configuration – both top IIHS safety picks – and we can find some here up to 2001. Its ground clearance is higher than most crossovers, and the wagon setup offers versatile and voluminous interior cargo room.
A drawback of the Outback is poor fuel economy from its 2.5-litre and 3.0-litre engines, and head gaskets were also an issue. Recalls deal with the cruise control, a rusting sub-frame, a seat adjustment rail, fuel hoses and front bearings.
Questionable
Unless you're a rally driver on a closed course, winter isn't the time for letting your tail hang out around corners – more so when it comes unexpectedly. You'll want to avoid most cars with rear-wheel drive; even with a good set of snow tires, traction will be more difficult to find than with a front-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicle, especially if you find yourself on more ice- and snow-packed roads.