I'm looking to buy a used small/midsized car for the snow (4-door, not a huge SUV or truck). Does anyone have a good recommendation?

I generally like Subarus. I currently own a 2003 Subaru Forester, which unfortunately has been highly problematic and costly. I have also liked Fords in the past, but my mom owns a 2008 Ford Explorer that has also been very problematic and costly. This makes me nervous to purchase another Subaru or Ford…

I'm looking to spend between 12,000 and 14,000 on the car, and it needs to have AWD or 4WD capabilities. So far, this is my list:

Toyota RAV4 - 2011 and newer
Ford Fusion - 2012 and newer (preferred 2016)
Subaru Impreza - 2011 and newer

Has anyone owned these cars before? If so, did certain make years give anyone severe problems? Also, does anyone have any further recommendations?

1st place to look is edmunds.com - they have info for almost any vehicle

I've owned multiple different Subaru's. Forester, Impreza, WRX, Legacy, all fantastic cars! I'm sorry that you had, what sounds like a lemon, with your Forester. Honestly, the Forester was my favorite out of the bunch. I wouldn't necessarily go with a Ford, personally I have found most problematic and they won't last long after 100k. Jeep Liberty is also a great one! I had a Trail Rated one for years, and it drove fantastic! Great 4WD, not too big, and is cost effective. Out of the ones you listed, I would go with either the Toyota, or Subaru. Toyota is known to for going the distance, and Subaru is just a personal favorite.

Hope this helps!

Subaru cars need specialist care.
Only use a dealer or a specialist.
They need a full service history and you need to get them proper servicing.
Given you seem to get problematic vehicles you may need to look at how you drive and care for them.

Of your choices, I would try to find a 3rd generation Rav4 with the V6 option. Toyota built them with a V6 option up to the 2012 model year so it would sneak into your model-year requirements. It looks positively boring on the outside but that V6 engine in that car is both great and reliable.

The 4th generation Rav4 (2013 - ) is/was 4 cylinder-only. Boring. The V6 version of the 3rd generation Rav4 is quicker than it has any business being and there's nothing wrong with having something that's at least modestly fun to drive as a winter car. The Fusion AWD would be my next choice followed by an Impreza for no other reason than Subarus tend to hold their value really well - that's a good thing when buying new but a bad thing when buying used. You'll most likely get a lot more car for your money with a used Fusion than a used Impreza.

I have a 2015 Subaru wrx. The other day I drove a mustang threw snow, hopped in the Subaru. Night and day difference. Still scetchy but it makes a difference. On the other hand. It's a really reliable car. Good price. But you feel every little bump

I'd go with a Jeep with an inline-6. Nice and small, 4WD, you can get it with ABS if you want, which is good for the snow. The rear seat folds up for ample storage.

I've been driving one since 2000 and it hasn't let me down.

Why not keep the other one

Google best car for snow

Honda or Toyota. Everything else is going to give you problems…

I drive a Fusion for work. I hate it! The Rav4 is best off your list. Remember, there's only snow on the ground for part of the year.