+1

Subaru foresters are the best winter cars ever. They are on the same chassis as the Impreza and use the same engine (talking about the base 2.5, not turbo). That engine will get 27-30 mpg hwy (which isn't bad by any stretch of the imagination) and still above 20 in the city.

Us coop drivers may call that bad mileage, but we're a bit spoiled, don't you think? Compared to my dad's suburban, (never have I seen that get above 10mpg on the hwy) I'd say 27mpg is a godsend.

Mom drives a forester and in east TN we don't get much snow... ever. But on a family trip to visit grandparents in Iowa two years ago, that thing trounced around in a foot of snow all week long, with crappy all season tires, no issues.

Bird, if you decide to get a MINI for your "winter car," be prepared to fall in love. Your MINI "winter car" will soon turn into your "year round car." Other symptoms include: naming your vehicle; replacing oil every 1500 miles "just because you care"; beginning small modifications that will turn into an obsession-fueld frenzy of changing every nook and cranny of your baby... I mean MINI... into a unique and one-of-a-kind machine.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCI9b1LF_UE

watch the snow part

 

fuel mileage
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm

 

03 jetta diesel 35 city 45 hyw

03 mini 25 city 33 hyw
03 Sub 19 city 25 hwy
all cars stick

 

check this ride for a snow car
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXo5u...eature=related

 

Hmm... 2005 MCS and I consistnatly pull 25-27 city and 34-36 hwy. I'll be the first one to trust that website but the numbers seem off.

I guess it comes down to driving style, I guess I drive like a granny.

 

MINIs are fine in the snow when fitted with proper snow tires. The stock 5.5"x15" rims make great snow wheels. Narrow tires are the answer in snow. I am running the stock MINI Cooper 7-hole wheels on my Cooper S with Nokian Hakka2 tires in 185/65-15 size and they work great.

Something that always bothered me was all of the crud left in the roads that the MINI will not straddle without getting strikes on the bottom so I installed a skid pad to protect the engine and transmission and power steering fan.

 

The forester is thirsty. I'm yet to see the MPG you stated. On my way to Colorado driving on the interstates without stopping on one tank I averaged barely 25mpg. It doesn't get better than that. Normal driving in the burbs will see 22mpg. But you're correct, you can't beat AWD with snow tires in the winter. All seasons are OK but I wouldn't do it. Just to stop would be almost impossible.

Plus someone explain to me the logic that the Jetta is better than Cooper in winter. It gets almost the same mpg and the diesel is now way more expensive than regular gas. I don't see how the traction is superior on comparable tires. Both are FWD (Wrong wheel drive if you ask me ).
Mini may be suffering a bit in the corners just because it's so stiff, but other than that I don't see the difference.

 

[.

Plus someone explain to me the logic that the Jetta is better than Cooper in winter. It gets almost the same mpg and the diesel is now way more expensive than regular gas.

Diesel is at $1.21 to $1.31 per litre rigth now in Toronto
AND
Premium(what you should fuel with ) is selling for
$1.27 to $1.32 per litre.
How is that cheaper

 

link for fuel prices
http://www.torontogasprices.com/inde...o&dl=Y&intro=Y

 

I guess it comes down to driving style, I guess I drive like a granny.

[/quote]

some of the Jetta drivers are claiming 63 mpg

 

Oh, we stopped to help a Subaru out of a ditch. If you can't drive in snow, it doesn't matter what's under your ****. I've driven my MINI to Newfoundland TWICE in FEBRUARY and I've never been stuck. Yes, put a skid plate on. Most Subys have them stock. But, I'll take my MINI over a lot of other cars in the snow, the great dry handling of the MINI equates to great control in less than ideal conditions as well. If you don't believe me, join me for next years winter adventure.

 

How many get stuck along the way?

 

You may be right. I guess I was a bit liberal with saying 27-30 on the hwy. But on flat straight road I guarantee a forester will push 27avg. But like i said, driving a cooper we get pretty spoiled. Any way you look at it, 25 or 27mpg, thats pretty decent either way.

 

45 mpg is not bad too (Jette diesel )

 

Strictly for gas mileage, Jetta diesels kick ***. But Bird was asking about the MINI being a good winter car. I can't comment on that because East TN doesn't exactly get "winters". More like... "cold time when the trees have no leaves."

Still, I recommend a Subaru Forester for winter. Badass winter car that still gets decent mileage.

 

sorry, didn't see your'e in Canada. In US Diesel is more expensive than regular gas.

Oh no, they don't. There is no stock subaru in the current or recent lineup that came with the skid plate. They have a little plastic cover but that's a splash guard and is held in place by horrible plastic clips. I know, cause i've broken a few

 

+1
Also it's still made in Japan versus the Outback made in Indiana.

 

Jettas and Golfs are great winter cars.Did you watch video in post #27

 

Put a skid plate on the bottom, and no worries.

 

Plus someone explain to me the logic that the Jetta is better than Cooper in winter. It gets almost the same mpg and the diesel is now way more expensive than regular gas. I don't see how the traction is superior on comparable tires. Both are FWD (Wrong wheel drive if you ask me ).
Mini may be suffering a bit in the corners just because it's so stiff, but other than that I don't see the difference.[/quote]

Prices in Elgin IL
Primium $4.01 @Shell 1389 Dundee
Diesel $4.29 @ Citgo 300S Statest and Wallnut
I would gladly pay not even %5 more for fuel and get 10 to 15 more miles per gallon with the diesel

 

Did I ever say they were bad winter cars? I'm merely saying... the Forester is a BETTER winter car.

Regardless, get two drivers of exactly the same winter driving experience and skill, put one in the Forester and one in the Jetta, I'll bet my life on the on in the Forester feeling more sure-footed and all in all less likely to crash.

 

so you want me to go buy a VW made in Mexico with electrical problems so I can save a 1/2 tank of gas a month in winter?
And i'm supposed to shell out about $5000 for this stinking diesel car ? And worry about fuel freezing if it gets around zero degrees in winter?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lBJ3...eature=related

 

Some Golfs and Jettas are made in Germany check the Vin#.You can drive it while your Mini is in the shop for a new tranny,failed power steering pump,rusty door sills,faulty power window,cracked windshield,surging engine,
bad motor mount,I can go on but Im sure your car is just perfect.:0