[00 SS]

It's been a while since I've considered buying a little car just to go from point A to point B but I find myself needing one. I have a few requirements.

1. It must be capable of at least 80 on the highway without being right at redline.

2. It must get at least 30 MPG on the highway.

3. It must have enough room for 4 people or 2 people and 2 big dogs.

4. It must be competent in bad weather and snow.

5. It must be cheap because I plan to pile miles on it and replace it in a couple years.

6. I'd preffer sometheing newer to keep maintenance costs down.

Any suggestions?

[00 SS]

Old VW bug with dune buggy kit and 35" swampers. Big swampers never wear out, but your fillings in your teeth will.

Phil,

I have an '89 Wrangler with 36" swampers so I know exactly how they ride. It's a great Jeep, but not much fun over about 65 mph. It also gets about 14 mpg, regardless of where or how I drive it. I'll be keeping it for the real snow days.

There are lots of good ideas in here and I appreciate that. I had thought of some of these vehicles, but I really had no idea how they have held up over time. I guess I just need to keep digging. I may look at some that are a bit older than I had originally thought. It looks like even some of the early '90's stuff is still worth considering. I was limiting my searches to about '97 or newer.