Trade or keep?

[Ausfahrt]

My wife and I are planning a move to new england next year and our 1997 4runner has a new timing belt, recent trans service, recent auto-rx treatment and $800.00 worth of brand new Michelin LTX rubber. Its a great vehicle that runs perfect but its only 2wd, I should also add that it has a towing package and hauls my bikes and boat.
I have not lived in snow country as an adult and only driven in snow once. So should we trade the 4runner for something like a Subaru Forester or should I just get an old 4x4 beater pickup for winter use as a 3rd vehicle?

 

[Boomer]

Put good winter type tires on it (all 4 wheels), put some weight in the back like "tube sand" and drive sensibly. Unless you are way out in the boonies where they don't plow, you should do OK.

 

[mstrjon32]

You really don't need a 4x4 in the northeast. The key is not to drive like an idiot. Slow acceleration, PLENTY of room for braking, and slow cornering and you'll be fine.

My Jeep has 4x4 but I don't use it unless the road is totally snow covered, and I'm trying to head up hill. Even then, really not necessary.

 

[StevieC]

I don't have a 4x4 SUV and we get much harsher winters up here than I would think you would get and it's fine. Good set of winter tires and you will be fine.

I wouldn't dare trade in a 4-runner, but that's just me.

 

[stephen9666]

Originally Posted By: Boomer
Put good winter type tires on it (all 4 wheels), put some weight in the back like "tube sand" and drive sensibly. Unless you are way out in the boonies where they don't plow, you should do OK.


I agree 100%

I drove almost a decade through Iowa winters without 4wd. Both FWD and RWD vehicles were fine, with one caveat: 4 snow tires every winter are a given. Most people in Iowa didn't have them, but people on BITOG aren't like most drivers, are they?

I always had super cheap snow tires, and they performed great.

 

[Mr Nice]

StevieC,

You once posted some pictures of the snow in your front yard during the winter. I would die if I had to deal with that stuff considering how much was piled up.

Keep the 4runner since it runs great.

 

[StevieC]

You mean these... This is just Canadian

winter!

The first pic is when we had over 1.5 feet fall over night into the next day. The last 3 images was me out on a normal winter day's drive.

The driveway on the second pic around my truck is after we snow-blowed the driveway 3 times that day!

 

[Mr Nice]

Those pictures remind me of the movie 'FARGO'

My teeth are chattering just looking at the pictures.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
Those pictures remind me of the movie 'FARGO'

My teeth are chattering just looking at the pictures.


It's funny... In the winter most Canadians biatch about how cold it is and crank the heat in their homes to summer like conditions and keep saying "I can't wait for summer". Then summer gets here and they biatch about how hot it is and crank the A/C to make it like winter in their homes...

I don't get it.

Personally I like winter, it's fun, bug free and you get used to it. I like staying home from work on the occasionally bad snow day!

This is nothing though... You should see Northern/Central Canadian winters. They are even colder and have much more snow. This looks like spring compared to what they put up with.

Makes me want to go to Timmies

 

[andyd]

Snow fall varies place to place, year to to year in the NE. Where are you headed?

 

[Zaedock]

I would sell it, advertised as a "Rust free Florida vehicle" and get a 4x4. The folks driving 2WD trucks/suv's are the ones you don't want to be behind going uphill in a snowstorm.

 

[StevieC]

Originally Posted By: Zaedock
I would sell it, advertised as a "Rust free Florida vehicle" and get a 4x4. The folks driving 2WD trucks/suv's are the ones you don't want to be behind going uphill in a snowstorm.


I live on a Mountain and drive up/down all winter in really bad weather and never had a problem. I have traction control but rarely does it kick in.

Good solid winter tires and careful driving is all you need. The 4x4 is not needed IMO.

 

[Ausfahrt]

Thanks for the replies. We are looking at Vermont but are still about a year away. We will have to sell the house and both my wife and I will have to get new jobs so I really don't want to get into anything with payments.
I'm going to take your collective advice and wing it with what we've got. I really wanted to keep the 4runner anyway.

 

[StevieC]

You could always trade it in for something else once you are there and settled... Nobody says you have to do it now

Good luck with the move!

 

[Ausfahrt]

Wow! Thats some brutal weather. I hope I'm ready for this! The first winter will be a challenge.

 

[StevieC]

Meh... You will get used to it...

 

[Ausfahrt]

Originally Posted By: StevieC
You could always trade it in for something else once you are there and settled... Nobody says you have to do it now

Good luck with the move!


I have always been a planner and I was thinking that I would get our vehicles in order now because our income is not assured after we leave Florida.

 

[StevieC]

I see... Good point!

I honestly, as an SUV driver in some really harsh winter conditions as seen above, you will be fine with 2 wheel drive even without Snow tires, although I would highly recommend them.

Careful driving and good tires is all there is too it. Cold temperatures make the rubber on conventional tires hard and they slip very easy, whereas snow tires use a softer compound and grip much better. Don't run them above 40oF though because they will wear very quickly.

 

[Ausfahrt]

Would the new Michelin LTX M/S tires be considered snow tires?

 

[StevieC]

This is an all season tire... IMO these are only good for mild winters where very little snow/ice and cold temperatures are experienced.

Get a "Snow" only tire like the X-ICE series (This is what I have).

They are awesome at biting into the snow and hanging on to the ice.

http://reviews.canadiantire.ca/9045/0031762P/reviews.htm

Bridgestone also makes really good snow tires, my mom has these on her little Kia Spectra and she is not the greatest driver and it keeps her on the road and cutting through the snow!