Need to buy a new car. I have a BMW 328i but it is only rear wheel drive and I have had it for 3 years. It affects my ability to go to Tahoe during winters. I was thinking of buying or leasing a new car. Should I buy a reliable car like Camry or Subaru which is fully loaded or buy something like Audi Q5, Mercedes GLC, Volvo XC60 or Porsche Macan? I am trying to limit my monthly payment under $450 apart from gas and insurance. Overall I don’t want to spend more than $750 including gas and insurance on a car. TC $450K
FWD is just as good as AWD in winter in 95% of situations unless you go balls deep in snow or have to climb steep slippery hills. But even in those situations winter tires or chains are the most important.
You can get any of those for 450/month assuming you have enough down payment. If you don't have 50% to put down at that TC you should be able to get there quick. If you can't get there quick then maybe a more modest car really is appropriate. Don't lease.
Tesla
Subaru is AWD and is cheap and reliable.
I am only worried if it has enough power and pickup got freeway passes and merges?
If a Prius can do it, Subaru can.
How about renting an AWD or FWD vehicle when you want to go to Tahoe during winters?
Will be about the same as owning a higher end car. On an average a 4wd for a weekend would cost almost 250. If I go atleast 5 weekends/year that is equivalent to additional $100 in monthly payments. At that point I might as well pay higher and buy a luxury 4wd.
It does not make much difference if you are driving AWD. in snow the snow chain makes a huge difference. Either put snow tires which I don’t recommend unless you live in snowy areas or use snow chain.
Lease a 330i. Awd has better performance with better engines
AWD
We have a Volvo SUV AWD and we love it. Honestly, wouldn’t recommend a Subaru. You have a BMW, so I assume you care about optics.
With that TC, why not go for a luxury SUV? For example, GLS
On that budget, your choices are limited. Keep what you have. You won’t get any of the cars you listed
Lease seems to be within my budget. Audi is offering me Q5 for $478/month.
Is your current car a lease? If not this is a bad decision. If it is, this is still a bad decision.