Get a used WRX for sure, and maybe some slight power upgrades.

I am currently in medical school and wish I had a wrx, it snows here but very lightly. If I didn't have a 350z or some sort of performance vehicle I would go crazy in medical school, after a block exam I take it out on a twisty mountain road it's a big reward - I don't know how I would do it without some fun. I guess I could get shit faced like the rest of my class after exams, but I don't drink so that's out.

Anyways a used wrx would be the most financialy responsible choice.

There are other ways around medical school loans besides military, serving under privileged areas is one way, also look into the PAYE system.

 

Lol. Sounds like this guy doesn't know how to drive, or though he was invincible with AWD.

It's not the car, it's how you drive it. My TSX has hockey pucks for tires and I manage just fine in Canada through our winters.

 

I managed just fine on 6/32 summer tires on my 350z during the winter in TN. Granted I skip shifted into higher gears all the time to keep the traction nanny happy, I've had my fare share of black ice run ins as well, idk how you wreck an evox on winter tires.



+rep if you guess movie and what the guy says

 

Got me. But, his Mitsubishi did some kind of crazy 25MPH unstoppable rearward slide. Ended up in a ditch, smooshed on some boulders. I've seen my share of $$$ AWD or 4WD SUV's go overboard, off mountain roads. So, you are correct... most are driver issues. As I pass these wrecks in my FWD Element with chains over OEM tires. Once, we saw a brand new Cayenne slide sideways into a telephone pole --- going, maybe 30 MPH. Hit the pole, went off the road into the snow piled off to the side, and turtled over. Amazing the momentum one has on icy roads.

Best car I've seen drive around on ice was an Audi A8. Those cars really seems to handle well, on icy roads.


Anyhow, to the OP good luck with the car you choose. And MD/PhD at UofM. A most excellent Med School. You gonna do your PhD in Bioscience? Cloning?

 

Congrats on getting accepted to U of M med school! That's pretty awesome!

Having lived in MI before, you're absolutely correct on the weather being ridiculously horrible. If I were in your situation, I would find a car with the following amenities: AWD, dedicated snow tire/wheel setup, seat warmer & remote start. Having ~300 HP eve will be irrelevant when all you want is a transportation that gets it done in the cold & windy weather. (Have you seen this week's weather report for MI ??? haha.)

Personally, I would look at any Subaru, Audi, AWD IS250/350, or anything that has reliable AWD system. I had an Impreza Outback Sport with Blizzaks and it was unstoppable in any inclement winter conditions. Also, your car will turn into a rust bucket in MI... they put down tons of salt on the road. It's not worth owning a fancy car for winter driving up there.

Congrats, once again. G'luck!

-Sean

 

Thanks for all the advice guys! I didn't know there were so many physicians on this forum! Anyways I probably won't get an Evo or anything remotely expenaive for Michigan. I might even just leave the S2K in California with my parents. For those wondering i will be pursuing a phd in immunology. Thanks for giving me financial advice and concern. You guys are awesome!

 

Good luck on your studies. Immunology, eh? Gene mapping. Reminds me of UCLA, many moons ago.

Think that you'll really like Michigan. Every grad I know loved it. And they have nice school colors, too!
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Having done half of the MD/PhD and knowing people who have done both... good luck! (You are going to need it)
If you want to be at an accedemic medical institute or even someplace like the National Childrens Hospital* in DC then the PhD will help.

As for the car, I would STRONGLY suggest something hatchback. I don't think AWD is a requirement. I can say this as someone who grew up in the mid-west, has family in Minneapolis (no AWD) and family near Travers City (again FWD). I would be just as quick to suggest a Ford Focus ST or Golf GTI as an AWD car. I think a WRX might be a good idea but the insurance is probably not cheap. Unfortunately fun somewhat larger hatches (ie bigger than the Focus) aren't that common anymore. I would suggest keeping costs down. Ideally don't take out a loan. I haven't checked prices in your area but I bet you could find a $10k car that would be both fun to drive and work in the winter.

BTW, basic snow chains will get you through more than AWD with all seasons and they cost about $25-35. Snow tires are also generally better than AWD + all seasons but they don't fit in the trunk of the car. I have chains due to crossing Donner Pass in May! While they aren't going to get used often, it's nice to have something that will get me through when the roads are really bad. However, I wouldn't want to use them much or go far with them. I suggest them only because they are an possibility for the few days the roads haven't been cleared. Once the roads are cleared you should be OK with all seasons.


*Their research facilities are on the top floor of the building. It's the only place I've ever been where the research lab looks like something out of a CSI show with great views and wall to wall windows vs the more typical no windows, cinder block walls and pipes over head. This is a view from a corner office.

 

I personally wouldn't do it.

It would be such a huge distraction, i was extremely busy with studying and work to even do anything car related during my 4 years of post graduate school.

 

I'll also vote no. With residency and possibly fellowship, you're in for many years of limited time and money, and buying a new Mitsubishi is unwise. In the urban Midwest, you don't need anything crazy to get around in winter. You definitely want something headache free. I also get that as a car enthusiast, you want something fun.

I'd say maybe compromise with a WRX or something RWD with snows. I'm a new attending with a snow tire shod S2000 in Wisconsin which is working out well. You just don't want any kind of project.