Best vehicle for snow and ice

[GreeCguy]

Even though we're in the "dog days of summer," another post got me to thinking about this. I grew up in the land of sunshine here in lovely, lovely Florida. Because of that, I didn't see any real snow till I was 19 years old, (college in Nebraska). Then I spent the next 20 years of my life living in snow country before moving back to gator country. In all that time, I had many and various vehicles which I drove through the white stuff including vehicles with four wheel drive, (I had a 1979 International Scout - 8 miles to the gallon). However, the best "snow and ice" car I ever had was a 1993 Geo Metro. 1 liter 3 cylinder engine with a five speed transmission and tiny 12 inch tires. The little car weighed around 1800 pounds and would go anywhere regardless of road surface conditions. More than once, I would be headed home and see countless vehicles in the ditch including four wheel drive and all wheel drive and my little Geo would roll through or over whatever was on the road and never left me stranded.

Anyone else have an unstoppable vehicle that never let you down?

 

[Astro14]

Best vehicle = one with FOUR snow tires.

E.G. Mercedes 240D in Colorado, Volvo 240, Volvo 850, Ford Expedition in Vermont, Volvo XC in Virginia...all with snow tires.

RWD, FWD, 4WD and AWD vehicles in snow country....all point to this one fact: it is the traction from the tires that makes the difference. 90% of the accidents in snow are because you can't STOP...

Being able to go is nice.

Being able to stop or turn is critical.

 

[JethroBodine]

Yes, 1972 VW Superbeetle with studded snow tires. Took the worst winter storms of the late 1970's without stopping. It became the "commuter pool car" for me and 3 co-workers every winter. Once when I-71 was closed due to snow...we drove right past the police barrier and 20 miles all the way home. We were the only car on the interstate. That car had the flat bottom pan and I don't know if the tires actually ever dug through the snow and hit the pavement. It was blowing so bad the cops wouldn't get out of their squad car...they just waved

 

[Smoky14]

Had a 1961 Corvair with auto trans. Didn't have enough power to spin the tires so it would just go, regular tires. Now the heater left a lot to be desired, but other wise it handled the Colo winters quite well.

Smoky

 

[The_Jeff]

Cutlass ciera. Wide enough to fit in the ruts. Narrow enough tires to cut through.

 

[Clevy]

My 99 silverado is absolutely amazing in deep snow however I don't overdrive for the road conditions.
I will say that the Chrysler mini-vans were absolutely fantastic in deep snow with all season radials. I drove through countless closed highways and back roads in my moms 96 caravan. Living on Georgian Bay mean't you could be hit with a snow squall at anytime until the bay froze over. They can dump 8" of snow in an hour and disappear as fast as they came.
Collingwood/wasaga beach area was crazy for winter storms. They can blow in in mere minutes and just pound localized areas then vanish.
For example a squall could hit on highway 26 between c'wood and the beach,closing the highway for awhile and requiring immediate attention by the snow removal equipment yet the other end of wasaga beach towards elmvale is crystal clear and not even a hint of snow.
They gather humidity from the unfrozen bay then just dump all the moisture in a small localized area then once the moisture is spent they dissipate exposing blue skies and sunshine.

 

[Danno]

My unstoppable was a Ford Escape V6 4WD with the lockable center diff. and 4 winter DMZ-1 Blizzaks.

Almost too good in the snow where I was probably over driving conditions ..... many times.

I drove the "lake effect" snow many times mentioned by Clevy...just nasty conditions.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: JethroBodine
Yes, 1972 VW Superbeetle with studded snow tires. Took the worst winter storms of the late 1970's without stopping. It became the "commuter pool car" for me and 3 co-workers every winter. Once when I-71 was closed due to snow...we drove right past the police barrier and 20 miles all the way home. We were the only car on the interstate. That car had the flat bottom pan and I don't know if the tires actually ever dug through the snow and hit the pavement. It was blowing so bad the cops wouldn't get out of their squad car...they just waved

The floor pan was like a sled,and just slid across the snow. Great in mud too. Engine right over the tires mean't optimized traction. Great little cars.

The worst truck I've ever owned in deepish snow was my 04 hemi ram.
It was great until the snow got to the height of the front drive-axle. Then it just plowed and couldn't slide on top.
My chev has skid plates from the front bumper to the end of the gas tank. It would just slide with very little resistance.
Great truck that Chevy for winter for sure.
That hemi was fantastic in pretty much all other aspects except deep snow

 

[skyactiv]

My WRX with winter tires has never let me down.

 

[earlyre]

I've always heard that about the old beetles...
they even had a commercial touting their winter prowess, saying they were what the snow plow driver drove to get to the plow.

for me, the best handling winter car i've had, back when we had real winters, was a '93 Chevy Corsica. it was a auto,4cyl, w/ all seasons, but that thing would just go through whatever nature threw @ us. for 16-19yr old me, it was unbeatable in the snow.

 

[charbaby]

The best Non-AWD Vehicle I ever owned for driving through snow was a FWD 1984 Plymouth Turismo 2.2L w/auto and 2bbl carb. Complete with all the graphics, ralley wheels & low profile tires & two tone paint. This little 2 door-shelby chager looking car went through the snow/ice with confidence everyday in the winter here in W. NY State...The Garnet Red w/ silver & 2.2 graphics, pictured below on the tarmac is the exact on that I owned for 17 years:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/06/junkyard-find-1984-plymouth-turismo/

The car only weighed 2200 lbs and was shod with 195-60-14 low profile all-season tires(usually Kelley Charger's or Dunlop GT Qualifier's). It came with G/Y Eagle GT's.

And the heater was incredible as well. I loved this car in the snow although it was a very trouble prone car. The car came with no A/C, CC nor P/W, P/L, tilt steering. These weren't even optional featrurs accept the A/C and CC And I put in my own popup sunroof.

I did put on ~175,000 miles on her! It was a love/hate relationship. I loved driving her but, hated fixing her. She was actually easy to work on but, I had to do it so often.

 

[Spazdog]

Suzuki Swift GA....same car as your Geo, just one extra cylinder.

I had cheap $15.99 Western Auto 155/80R13 tires. Tread pattern had V-blocks that somewhat resembled early BF Goodrich Radial T/A.

I could go anywhere in the ice/snow. The only time I had a problem was getting back out of the ruts on the freeway. It turned the 'Zook into a slot car. I probably could have driven home with no hands on the wheel for the freeway part

I've driven my Mazda on the ice that accompanied the Superbowl in 2011 on 18" summer tires. Not a short distance either. 120 miles a day. (the guy that normally works that shop couldn't make it in a Jeep Grand Cherokee on Michelin LTX M/S tires....so much for RWD superiority) It can be a little difficult to get moving on wet ice. (alright traction control, time for you to get turned off and just let me do it. I'll get us going). I really gotta' wonder how well it would do with 16" or 17" All Seasons or winter tires. It's easy to drive in winter weather, just hard to get going.

I've driven the Mazda in about 12" of snow too. It does real well in the snow even on summer tires (Fierce Instinct ZR) . Didn't break off the air dam playing "snow-plow". Very open Saruwatari Racing wheels pack up with snow easily though forcing you to stop and knock it out or drive with a bad imbalance.

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

I had a '91 Plymouth Sundance that was pretty good in the snow. It had otherwise terrible wight distribution where most of the car's weight was either on or slightly in front of the front wheels which made it pretty capable in bad weather, especially with snow tires.

But no car I've ever driven or ridden in has been as good as my Impreza when I had a set of dedicated snow tires for it. It has just the right amount of power and torque to keep the tires from breaking loose too easily, and 'forgiving' open front, viscous center and limited slip rear diffs. It was unbelievably good in bad Upstate NY weather. Driving in snow was almost fun instead of stressful.

 

[RamFan]

Originally Posted By: Astro14
Best vehicle = one with FOUR snow tires.

E.G. Mercedes 240D in Colorado, Volvo 240, Volvo 850, Ford Expedition in Vermont, Volvo XC in Virginia...all with snow tires.

RWD, FWD, 4WD and AWD vehicles in snow country....all point to this one fact: it is the traction from the tires that makes the difference. 90% of the accidents in snow are because you can't STOP...

Being able to go is nice.

Being able to stop or turn is critical.


Bingo. The most important part of snow driving is the drivers realization of the vehicles capability. When I had my Charger I drove with all seasons during winter and never had an issue. Why? Because I knew I was driving a 2 ton, rwd, all-season equipped vehicle. I anticipated stop signs, lights, corners, etc. Did the back end ever start to pull out on corners? Sure, and I would control the kick and bring her back in line. Funny thing is that while people always wanted to drive my car, in winter they'd always talk about how they'd hate to drive it. If I didn't change my driving with the seasons I would to and I would've been in the ditch many times too.

Things needed for snow: Competent driver and snow tires. If you have at least the first item then you'll be fine.

 

[2009Edge]

Driving in snow or on ice is more about the drivers skill and attitude than the vehicle.

I left central Wisconsin the day after Thanskgiving in 1985 going to Texas and encountered all kinds of slippery stuff. Water on ice in Iowa, Snow in Missouri, granulated ice 6 inches deep in Kansas, and packed ice and snow in Oklahoma. The road didn't clear up until south of Ok City where it was about 10 degrees. Got home safely and never once was the car sideways. 1984 Dodge Daytona Turbo.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: RamFan
Originally Posted By: Astro14
Best vehicle = one with FOUR snow tires.

E.G. Mercedes 240D in Colorado, Volvo 240, Volvo 850, Ford Expedition in Vermont, Volvo XC in Virginia...all with snow tires.

RWD, FWD, 4WD and AWD vehicles in snow country....all point to this one fact: it is the traction from the tires that makes the difference. 90% of the accidents in snow are because you can't STOP...

Being able to go is nice.

Being able to stop or turn is critical.


Bingo. The most important part of snow driving is the drivers realization of the vehicles capability. When I had my Charger I drove with all seasons during winter and never had an issue. Why? Because I knew I was driving a 2 ton, rwd, all-season equipped vehicle. I anticipated stop signs, lights, corners, etc. Did the back end ever start to pull out on corners? Sure, and I would control the kick and bring her back in line. Funny thing is that while people always wanted to drive my car, in winter they'd always talk about how they'd hate to drive it. If I didn't change my driving with the seasons I would to and I would've been in the ditch many times too.

Things needed for snow: Competent driver and snow tires. If you have at least the first item then you'll be fine.



Charger? Like one of the new ones or the 70's vintage.
If you are referring to the existing generation well the traction and stability control on those things is unreal. Can't even get the car sideways and forget about wheel spin.
Good tire and sensibility and leaving enough room to stop as well as anticipating what another driver is going to screw up.

 

[zzyzzx]

I would think that a snowmobile would work best.

If that won't work, then any small, front wheel drive car with good tires should suffice, especially if it's a beater.

 

[The_Jed]

My Impreza.

It's very liberating to be looking for places to play in the snow when other people are struggling to get to work. I'm not saying I'm the next Sebastien Loeb, I'm saying a Subaru with anything other than ultra high grip summer tires will be completely at home in the snow!

 

[RamFan]

Originally Posted By: Clevy
Originally Posted By: RamFan
Originally Posted By: Astro14
Best vehicle = one with FOUR snow tires.

E.G. Mercedes 240D in Colorado, Volvo 240, Volvo 850, Ford Expedition in Vermont, Volvo XC in Virginia...all with snow tires.

RWD, FWD, 4WD and AWD vehicles in snow country....all point to this one fact: it is the traction from the tires that makes the difference. 90% of the accidents in snow are because you can't STOP...

Being able to go is nice.

Being able to stop or turn is critical.


Bingo. The most important part of snow driving is the drivers realization of the vehicles capability. When I had my Charger I drove with all seasons during winter and never had an issue. Why? Because I knew I was driving a 2 ton, rwd, all-season equipped vehicle. I anticipated stop signs, lights, corners, etc. Did the back end ever start to pull out on corners? Sure, and I would control the kick and bring her back in line. Funny thing is that while people always wanted to drive my car, in winter they'd always talk about how they'd hate to drive it. If I didn't change my driving with the seasons I would to and I would've been in the ditch many times too.

Things needed for snow: Competent driver and snow tires. If you have at least the first item then you'll be fine.



Charger? Like one of the new ones or the 70's vintage.
If you are referring to the existing generation well the traction and stability control on those things is unreal. Can't even get the car sideways and forget about wheel spin.
Good tire and sensibility and leaving enough room to stop as well as anticipating what another driver is going to screw up.


'07, I agree the traction control on the vehicle is extremely sensitive. A little too sensitive.

 

[exranger06]

My 94 Explorer has always been incredible in the snow. My Ranger is also fantastic, just gotta be careful accelerating around corners. Having 4wd is great. Yeah, you don't "need" it in snow, but it sure makes driving 1000x better! I will always own at least one 4wd vehicle for winter driving.