<p>Given your criteria (Audi driver here): I would nominate a Subaru.</p>
<p>Saturn Astra
Subaru Impreza 2.5i
Pontiac Vibe
Mazda 3 Hatchback
Scion XD</p>
<p>Volvos have a very good safety record but are expensive to maintain (we’re driving our 2nd & 3rd Volvos now & have mixed feelings about them but feel they are VERY safe). Not sure if they have 4WD models. You might want to call in for “Click & Clack” on public radio & put the question to them (or post it on their message board). They’re MIT engineering grads & have interesting opinions that they explain well.</p>
<p>The best car for your D is the one she likes the best, within reason. If you saddle her with something she doesn’t like, it will not last long.</p>
<p>If you don’t have issue with the image problem, I highly recommend BMW 300 series XI. It’s drives very well (hugs the road) with a lot of pickup, and it has front wheel drive. It’s also safe. We’ve had low end Mercedes with a lot of problems, but never with BMW. I wanted to get it for D1, but H wouldn’t because it’s a BMW and he thought it was a wrong message. I also think Subaru is a great car in the snow, and a lot of our friends have been very happy with it.</p>
<p>Hmmm, I would have said a Volvo wagon (love mine w/snow tires) but …I guess Subaru is going to get you what you want - not a Wagon, not a SUV and 4WD.</p>
<p>Not sure who said it above, but I echo the sentiment that you find out what dealer and/or independent mechanic is near the school. The last thing you want is to find out the car your daughter loves will have to be maintained 1/2 hour away, while the local dealer/mechanic specializes in something that you passed up. So I would do your homework first to find out who is the mechanic of choice in the community. </p>
<p>Having owned a number of the vehicles suggested, and accepting that you don’t want a wagon or an SUV, and that you want to buy used (ie without factory warranty): </p>
<p>First, rethink the commitment to AWD. I have lived in northern New England my whole life. AWD is not necessary, period. There is almost nowhere you can go with AWD that you can’t go with FWD with excellent snow tires. Snow tires are cheap, 300-500 per set brand new. If you are willing to waive the AWD requirement your options of excellent wintertime snow cars expands hugely. </p>
<p>Run away from any AWD Volvo. They are terrible reliability wise.</p>
<p>Infiniti g35x is all-wheel drive. So is the baby Lexus. The BMW 3 series XI is a gold standard. Don’t be afraid of the BMW if there is BMW independent mechanic near school. If there is no ind. mechanic nearby, don’t buy one. Oldfort misspoke - the BMW xi is all wheel, not front wheel drive. You cannot get a FWD BMW.</p>
<p>If you are willing to consider FWD with snow tires (as I strongly recommend you consider) you have great options. Present “problems” aside Toyotas are the perfect car for college kids. I drove my niece’s 2009 Corolla for all of December 2009 with lots of snow. I had snow tires. I found it comfortable, reliable, safe, with excellent traction and incredible gas mileage (not exaggerating, I hit 43 mpg on one highway stretch). Camrys are equally reliable, more comfortable and slightly lower in mileage. </p>
<p>If you’re willing to consider an American car, I strongly recommend a used Chevy Impala. Absolutely bulletproof, FWD, low 30 mpg, easy for any mechanic to work on, safe. Buy one 10,000 (or less!), put new snow tires on it, and you won’t have to worry about your daughter. I’d put my teens in one in a heartbeat.</p>
<p>I hope some of this helps.</p>
<p>Obviously, someone knows about cars here.
I just know what feels good. I drove Volvo for a long time, and thought they were fine. I then got the BMW X5, loved it. I am driving a Volvo SUV now, the pickup and handling are just not there. My warning light randomly goes on about my tires or back light, and they all seem fine.</p>
<p>oldfort: doesn’t the BMW 300 series XI now have 4WD?..lots of certified resales around if , as you say, the OP can get around the image issue…</p>
<p>I only like the “old” Volvos. The new ones not so much. I’m getting a new “old” one and sending S2 off with my old-old one.</p>
<p>laxtaxi and rodney are correct. The XIs have 4WD.</p>
<p>Excellent advice laxtaxi. We will definitely rethink AWD. I’m going to research local mechanics. Thanks.</p>
<p>I second the thought about mechanics near your child’s U. Finding a good, inexpensive Volvo mechanic in my hometown of over 1 million people is a very exhausting proposition. Most mechanics can work on most Japanese and American cars. </p>
<p>I’ve only driven my Toyota van and had a problem with the transmission (it had to be rebuilt under extended warranty). It’s now 10+ years old and still drives great. My SIL has had many Toyotas & Hondas and they have all driven very well. None of us have experience with NE winters, but the Honda civic they had back in the day handled the SF hills well for them while they lived there.</p>
<p>Our independent Volvo mechanic also said he’d only recommend the OLD Volvos–not the newer models; the later are just too “quirky” and tough to service. Sad, because they do have a great rep for safety in an accident.</p>
<p>We sent our S an older 525 BMW, which is a solid car but less desirable (for theft) than the newer cars around his campus. He has many friends with BMWs, so he can ask them about servicing, which makes it easier for him. They know mechanics they trust near campus as well. We were concerned about servicing costs, but figure he can sell it if it gets to be too challenging to keep.</p>
<p>I do not think Accords or Corollas (although excellent cars) have 4WD. Look at the Subaru Outback, which does, or these 3 miniSUVs: Subaru Forester; Honda CRV;
Toyota Rav4</p>
<p>^^Love my Honda CR-V; having been trying to stay “in back” of the RAV-4’s on the road as of late (rather than in front of)…if you know what I mean…</p>
<p>The problem with BMW is that all the parts are expensive. Tires on my BMW are expensive. Replacing the battery was expensive.
My friends who come from snow country seem to love their Suburu’s.</p>
<p>I’ve been driving a Subaru for over ten years. The one I have now is just about 8 yrs old and I plan to drive it a couple of more years. I live in the NE and I do not go out in harsh weather however, when I find myself in harsh conditions, my car pulls through like a champ. Just like in the commercials. ;-)</p>
<p>I drive an Outback, but if I were buying for my son, I’d get a sedan. </p>
<p>Also agree with the standard transmission. Much more control (I feel) My son learned to drive it in a few tries (although his car is auto.)</p>
<p>Have fun shopping!</p>
<p>We really like the Subaru Outback. The wagon is very practical, with great visibility and cargo capacity.</p>
<p>Gave my S my car, a '99 Saab, with 130,000 miles. Checked and made sure there was a Saab mechanic in striking distance.</p>
<p>I didn’t give it to him until junior year, though, which I thought was wise. Soph year, maybe, but I wouldn’t give a frosh a car unless it’s a necessity.</p>
<p>Anything that promotes sociability is best for frosh year IMHO.</p>
<p>The Saab has served him well, is safe (heavier gauge steel like Volvos) and understands NE winters. It has worked out well.</p>
<p>I got a 2005 Saab to replace it, but mine is a convertible. Hallelujah! Fun.</p>
<p>Bought older son a new Civic in 2001-has gotten him through last 2 years of high school, 4 years of college and 3 years of medical school(so far). When he graduates from medical school next year -he gets a new car(as a graduation gift), the first month’s deposit on an apartment(as he begins his residency) and a hearty-“Good luck to you” as he leaves the family payroll(hopefully, forever).
Bought younger son a new Civic in 2007-got him through last 2 years of high school and most of freshman year in college fo far. He knows the drill.
Both cars are efficient, low maintenance and I have been very happy with them.</p>