Looking for ideas on small AWD economy car

[Red]

A good FWD car with snow rubber would do almost as well as an AWD car. Otherwise you can't beat a Subi

[pint]

Great feedback everyone. Thanks a lot! Keep it coming!

[bryn]

what about the mid 90's rav-4, epa claimed 27mpg highway 30+ should be easy

[almightybmw]

I own a '90 Mazda Protege, the simple version of the 323 GTX, made 1990-1991. No turbo, open center diff vs. VLSD. SOHC 1.8L vs. DOHC 1.6L. I've gotten anywhere from 17 intown (I was having too much fun on the snow and ice) to 35mpg on the highways in Alaska at 65mph. The 4WD transmission has a diff lock motor, to go from open AWD to locked 4WD. Not useful on the highway, but when the snow is deep, and the driveway is near, it works best.

It also has a cult following. A nice DOHC 1.8L from the Protege LX (90-94) and the transmission from the 90-94 GTX or GTR (Europe or Japan only) makes it a tough driver that still gets 35mpg at 65mph.

I currently have the DOHC 1.8L and GTR tranny in my Protege, and I have no doubt I can get 35mpg out of it. Taller tires, shorter low gears, taller high gears, some extreme custom weight reduction (its going rally, so I don't need glass windows) make it possible.

I'm slightly biased if you didn't notice

[Johnny Mullet]

Ford made an AWD Tempo!

YouTube - Tribute to my Ford Tempo

[SuperTrooper]

In the late 80s Toyota made a 4wd Tercel wagon.

[pint]

Any other thoughts on good AWD/4WD economy vehicles???

[Unheard]

This may not be much help to you but..

For a small 4wd with good mpg you cant get better than the fiat panda. Its not sold the States the only part of North America ist sold is mexico. they sell it with the 1.2L engine.

In the UK we can now get it a 1.3 diesel multijet that will do 53 uk mpg

The 1.2 will return 42.8 uk mpg

Its 2 wheel drive until it looses traction then the 4wd kicks in its quite a good little 4x4

YouTube - Fiat Panda 4x4 vs Range Rover

also have a look into Bridgestone Blizzak tyres they may be the answer

Bridgestone Blizzak Passenger/Performance Tire Reviews. Buying guides & consumer product reviews at Epinions.com

[pint]

Unheard - thanks for the info, but I am in the USA. We don't get any of the cool stuff!

[Johnny Mullet]

Just to let you know, a Metro equipped with a good set of stock tires gets around pretty good in the snow. The skinny tires give you great traction and the ride height is perfect.

Mate a Metro with snow tires and you would be set!