Don't fool around just buy a Unimog and be done with it.
Best vehicle for snow and ice
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Originally Posted By: Bottom_Feeder
Driving in snow was almost fun instead of stressful.
That was me in that little Geo. I had gone from driving a half ton Chevy truck, (which was wicked on ice and snow) to this little Metro. I actually looked forward to a good snow storm just to see what this little car could do. It was fun. The only thing I missed was doing donuts in parking lots as I discovered you can't do a decent donut in a front wheel drive car, (unless you do it in reverse).
Driving in snow was almost fun instead of stressful.
That was me in that little Geo. I had gone from driving a half ton Chevy truck, (which was wicked on ice and snow) to this little Metro. I actually looked forward to a good snow storm just to see what this little car could do. It was fun. The only thing I missed was doing donuts in parking lots as I discovered you can't do a decent donut in a front wheel drive car, (unless you do it in reverse).
Drive through Buffalo or Rochester NY - Every other car is a Subaru -
But I totally agree that SNOW tires make a huge difference. Drove a 3 series BMW with Blizzaks one winter (Everyone was telling me I'd Wreck it because RWD can't handle snow) It did outstanding. TRACTION CONTROL helps
But I totally agree that SNOW tires make a huge difference. Drove a 3 series BMW with Blizzaks one winter (Everyone was telling me I'd Wreck it because RWD can't handle snow) It did outstanding. TRACTION CONTROL helps
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I think it is all about reading up on the best snow tires you can afford.
I had Pirelli Snow Control II on my Honda Fit for one Winter, and I couldn't even drive up a small hill into the parking area at my apartment building. Tire spin city!
I was like oh poop! Then I got to reading up on it and went with Yokohama IG-20s.
Man, what a difference. I love those tires!
Remember, Winter tires are a compromise. There is a snow tire, ice tire, ice and snow, All-Season etc.
You have to find the right tire for the conditions you usually drive on.
I had a guy come to the tire shop and ditch a set of Michelin X-Ice II after only one month of use, these things were BRAND NEW.
I spoke to him about it and he said he didn't find they worked well in Montreal condtions. He would slip around and have wheel spin.
He went with a set of Blizzaks, I have never heard any complaints from people running Blizzaks.
People say the Yokohamas are a bit squirrielly on dry pavement but I never push my car. Steer clear of them if you are a lead foot in the Winter.
I had Pirelli Snow Control II on my Honda Fit for one Winter, and I couldn't even drive up a small hill into the parking area at my apartment building. Tire spin city!
I was like oh poop! Then I got to reading up on it and went with Yokohama IG-20s.
Man, what a difference. I love those tires!
Remember, Winter tires are a compromise. There is a snow tire, ice tire, ice and snow, All-Season etc.
You have to find the right tire for the conditions you usually drive on.
I had a guy come to the tire shop and ditch a set of Michelin X-Ice II after only one month of use, these things were BRAND NEW.
I spoke to him about it and he said he didn't find they worked well in Montreal condtions. He would slip around and have wheel spin.
He went with a set of Blizzaks, I have never heard any complaints from people running Blizzaks.
People say the Yokohamas are a bit squirrielly on dry pavement but I never push my car. Steer clear of them if you are a lead foot in the Winter.
Jeep with Selec-Trac.
My Focus is excellent in the snow with snow tires. I'll take that over my Quadra-Trac (Part time 4wd) any day of the week.
Best:1993 Dodge Colt with Pirelli Winter S2 tires.
Current car:1988 Aries with Winterforce tires.Very good in snow,a bit tail happy on highway ramps though.
Worse:77 Cordoba 400.Way too nose heavy.Lose the tail uphill,lose the nose downhill.Scary in the winter.FWD has it all over RWD.
Current car:1988 Aries with Winterforce tires.Very good in snow,a bit tail happy on highway ramps though.
Worse:77 Cordoba 400.Way too nose heavy.Lose the tail uphill,lose the nose downhill.Scary in the winter.FWD has it all over RWD.
My snowmobile does fine on the snow.
Now that's out of the way... Once drove a cousin's Subaru and it got to snowing hard and I got to wishing I should have waited. Drove half the night but made it without much problem. Can't remember what tires were on it, but they were kind of skinny from what I remember. There was a load of snow on the vehicle once I got out of there. Now I don't fish in harsh snowing windy weather anymore.
Now that's out of the way... Once drove a cousin's Subaru and it got to snowing hard and I got to wishing I should have waited. Drove half the night but made it without much problem. Can't remember what tires were on it, but they were kind of skinny from what I remember. There was a load of snow on the vehicle once I got out of there. Now I don't fish in harsh snowing windy weather anymore.
Originally Posted By: Astro14
Best vehicle = one with FOUR snow tires.
Correction, four snow tires that are rated for ice.
Best vehicle = one with FOUR snow tires.
Correction, four snow tires that are rated for ice.
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
Worse:77 Cordoba 400.Way too nose heavy.Lose the tail uphill,lose the nose downhill.Scary in the winter.
I had a '76 when I went to college in Nebraska and learned to drive on the snow and ice in that beast.
My first time on black ice was driving at night from Lincoln Nebraska to Seward Nebraska. I learned that if I drove over 15 mph, the back end would break free and start to fishtail all over the road. Coming into Seward on Hwy 34, there is a steep hill. I drove slower and slower, trying to keep the wheels from slipping until I was literally going like 2 or 3 mph and I was thinking, "we ain't gonna make it." Thankfully, someone before us had thrown out some sand and right as we were running out of juice, the rear tires grabbed the sand and over the hill we went.
You're right about it being scary, it was a prayerful experience driving that car on winter roads, but it did have "fine Corinthian leather seats"
Worse:77 Cordoba 400.Way too nose heavy.Lose the tail uphill,lose the nose downhill.Scary in the winter.
I had a '76 when I went to college in Nebraska and learned to drive on the snow and ice in that beast.
My first time on black ice was driving at night from Lincoln Nebraska to Seward Nebraska. I learned that if I drove over 15 mph, the back end would break free and start to fishtail all over the road. Coming into Seward on Hwy 34, there is a steep hill. I drove slower and slower, trying to keep the wheels from slipping until I was literally going like 2 or 3 mph and I was thinking, "we ain't gonna make it." Thankfully, someone before us had thrown out some sand and right as we were running out of juice, the rear tires grabbed the sand and over the hill we went.
You're right about it being scary, it was a prayerful experience driving that car on winter roads, but it did have "fine Corinthian leather seats"
I've never owned a car with anything but two-wheel drive (RWD and FWD), the best for me was my '86 SAAB 900S with Blizzaks on all four corners. Dealt with snow and ice very well. Manual transmission made things even better along with the high ground clearance.
Man, I wish I had never traded that car in...
Man, I wish I had never traded that car in...
The old VW busses with the step down rear end were even better than the bugs. More clearance. With room for 7. you could put the passengers to work pushing. The Grandwagoneers with a limited slip in the NP 229 transfer case were great beach buggies. I used to idle it through soft sand. Snow was not even a consideration. I used 235 75 R 15s all seasons, nothing special.
Driving in snow is no big deal. You have to be gentle on the gas and forget about the brake. Figure that every vehicle you encounter is being piloted by a texting teen. Give them a wide berth.
Driving in snow is no big deal. You have to be gentle on the gas and forget about the brake. Figure that every vehicle you encounter is being piloted by a texting teen. Give them a wide berth.
Originally Posted By: andyd
The old VW busses with the step down rear end were even better than the bugs. More clearance. With room for 7. you could put the passengers to work pushing. The Grandwagoneers with a limited slip in the NP 229 transfer case were great beach buggies. I used to idle it through soft sand. Snow was not even a consideration. I used 235 75 R 15s all seasons, nothing special.
Driving in snow is no big deal. You have to be gentle on the gas and forget about the brake. Figure that every vehicle you encounter is being piloted by a texting teen. Give them a wide berth.
Much wisdom in you're last paragraph.
Brake only in straight lines. Accelerate after you pass the midpoint of the turn and expect everyone to be stupid and compensate for their incompetence.
The old VW busses with the step down rear end were even better than the bugs. More clearance. With room for 7. you could put the passengers to work pushing. The Grandwagoneers with a limited slip in the NP 229 transfer case were great beach buggies. I used to idle it through soft sand. Snow was not even a consideration. I used 235 75 R 15s all seasons, nothing special.
Driving in snow is no big deal. You have to be gentle on the gas and forget about the brake. Figure that every vehicle you encounter is being piloted by a texting teen. Give them a wide berth.
Much wisdom in you're last paragraph.
Brake only in straight lines. Accelerate after you pass the midpoint of the turn and expect everyone to be stupid and compensate for their incompetence.
Originally Posted By: 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.
looked around and found the commercial:
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.
looked around and found the commercial:
Originally Posted By: buster
Of course snow tires help significantly, but Subaru's AWD system outperforms most others, including many part-time systems.
With good tires. You can have a subaru with bald tires go down a steep hill with a lot of ice and snow and still put it in a ditch. AWD helps when power is applied, does not help you slow down or stop.
AWD and part time 4 wheel drive are no comparison in the snow. Good luck telling that to people who believe pickups are the end all-be all.
I'll take a front drive car for slippery conditions over a part time 4x4 ANY day of the week.
Of course snow tires help significantly, but Subaru's AWD system outperforms most others, including many part-time systems.
With good tires. You can have a subaru with bald tires go down a steep hill with a lot of ice and snow and still put it in a ditch. AWD helps when power is applied, does not help you slow down or stop.
AWD and part time 4 wheel drive are no comparison in the snow. Good luck telling that to people who believe pickups are the end all-be all.
I'll take a front drive car for slippery conditions over a part time 4x4 ANY day of the week.
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