I am a new grad (hopefully) beginning my first job soon. However, I will be commuting about an hour each way to my hospital. I live in NJ, and weather is four season so I need a car that is good in rain, slush, snow, etc. especially because of my long commute.
My only two other requirements for the car are affordable, obviously, because I am a new grad and am just getting on my feet, and decent/good gas mileage. I'm currently driving a 2005 Honda Civic and while it's great on gas, I can barely drive around town without skidding through at least one stop sign in the snow.
Any ideas? I've heard a lot of good things about Subarus.
Specializes in Adult and Pediatric Vascular Access, Paramedic.
Honda CRV
Be cautious with buying a newer CRV! I bought a 2015 earlier this year and had to trade it back in a few months later because of the vibration issues! It started rattling from all the vibrating and that was the icing on the cake. Honda, to my knowledge, has no immediate fix for the issue and I don't think they will recall them since it would be a very expensive repair. Not sure if they resolved it in the 2016, but if you test drive make sure you keep it on the road for at least 30 minutes to test drive, as the vibration only starts when the engine is warmed up!
I got an Impreza hatch batch. A trick that someone said to me was to have some kitty litter in your car for when it gets stuck.
Do you mean hatch back?
Subaru's, overall, drive smoothly in the winter compared to most cars. And, obviously, heavier cars get more traction. Winter tires are a good investment.
What year is yours? Do you know if they resolved the oil issues in the newer ones?
Annie
Good Morning, Annie!
Ours is a 2003 WRX; we bought it when we landed at our first duty station, so it has quite a lot of sentimental value for us. Aside from its regular servicing (new tires, oils changes, that sort of thing), it's cost us absolutely nothing to keep going and it's been an absolute champion in all kinds of weather/ terrain. He would be the one to ask about oil issues, but unfortunately he's offshore at the moment-- I'll remember to ask him when I speak with him today or tomorrow and will let you know what he says. We do also have a newer SUV that I'll generally drive in better weather, but the Subaru is what I'll take if things are looking a little iffy, or if I'm just missing him.
I'm on my third Subaru. I had two fosters and now an outback. I'm in upstate NY and we are definitely four seasons here. You can't go wrong with a Subaru! Love them! However, all of mine have been used ones so we didn't break the bank. Just a thought!
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Hello all,
I am a new grad (hopefully) beginning my first job soon. However, I will be commuting about an hour each way to my hospital. I live in NJ, and weather is four season so I need a car that is good in rain, slush, snow, etc. especially because of my long commute.
My only two other requirements for the car are affordable, obviously, because I am a new grad and am just getting on my feet, and decent/good gas mileage. I'm currently driving a 2005 Honda Civic and while it's great on gas, I can barely drive around town without skidding through at least one stop sign in the snow.
Any ideas? I've heard a lot of good things about Subarus.
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
Along with the tires and breaks, put some bricks or sandbags in your trunk (I know this sounds weird. I prefer bricks because it's less messy.) for added friction. And keep a shovel and fuel (food, water, blankets) just in case your car does decide to take a spin.
And helpful hint. If your car does get stuck, take the front mats in your car and put them up as far against your front wheels as possible to give you more traction.
BRAKES and tires. Most Hondas have front wheel drive, so bricks or sandbags in the trunk is a bad idea -- it will take weight off your drive wheels. (I always used kitty litter -- that way I'd have some stockpiled for the cat, and if you do get stuck you can throw some under your drive wheels for more traction.)
Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
I live in northern NJ and commute to NYC. I drive a Suburu Impreza and I'm obsessed with it! Affordable, great gas mileage, 4 wheel drive makes driving in snow and ice much easier (and this is coming from a nervous driver).
I had a Subaru Impreza. We got 14 years and 250,000 miles on it before the heater gave out and we traded it in. I love Subarus. I've had three -- but only the Impreza gave me my money's worth. The first station wagon (before Outbacks) kind of gave up after 4 years and 60,000 miles. I hadn't even paid for it yet. (Last time I did that!) The third had to have the transmission replaced at 30,000 miles. The warranty covered that, but about 20,000 miles later it started doing the same stuff that it did when the first transmission failed. That was enough for me. I bought the Prius.
If you know how to drive in snow, and you're not driving up and down mountains on a regular basis (why I bought the three Subarus), the Prius is just as good in the winter as the Subaru. And you sure can't beat the gas milage! 46-52 mpg.
RNNPICU, BSN, RN
1,310 Posts
Subaru forester. I had the impreza outback sport, but once we wore it out, we bought the forester. I love Subaru.