blackdiamond
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Post by blackdiamond on Aug 7, 2014 4:31:04 GMT -5
AWD, RWD or FWD?
I currently have a company provided vehicle but will need to provide me own in the near future. Any suggestions on type? I am leaning towards the AWD option, a bit more expensive but may be worth it in peace of mind.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Aug 7, 2014 5:13:45 GMT -5
FWD or AWD are fine. DO NOT get RWD.
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damnotagain
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Post by damnotagain on Aug 7, 2014 5:33:45 GMT -5
6cyl - Tacoma 4x4 8cyl - Tundra 4x4
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blackdiamond
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Post by blackdiamond on Aug 7, 2014 5:47:08 GMT -5
Thanks for the input. I am more of a sedan driver, I feel trucks are just too big for everyday use.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Aug 7, 2014 5:49:00 GMT -5
Well if you want AWD, subarus are good reliable cars. If you're getting FWD, you have a ton of options as far as sedans go.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Aug 7, 2014 7:07:52 GMT -5
My parents have an AWD Equinox. That thing rocks in the snow.
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steph08
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Post by steph08 on Aug 7, 2014 7:17:57 GMT -5
I have always driven FWD vehicles in PA winters. Just make sure you have good winter tires.
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Aug 7, 2014 7:21:25 GMT -5
A sedan might be OK, but it won't go thru too many inches of snow. I think I'd opt for a smaller SUV with 4 WD. Perhaps a Honda CRV. Toyota and Mercedes also make a smaller SUV, as does Subaru.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Aug 7, 2014 7:25:42 GMT -5
Another option is a RV to get you south for the winter and away from snow prone areas.
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Cookies Galore
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Post by Cookies Galore on Aug 7, 2014 8:33:08 GMT -5
I've only ever driven FWD cars and I've never had issue with snow. All you really need is AWD/FWD, good tires, and knowledge of winter driving. We bought a Fit in October so it has spanking new tires and handled this winter from hell like a champ. The tires in our Civic are roughly two-years-old and hubs had no problems driving in the snow. I did enjoy driving past all the RWD luxury cars that would get stuck! There was one day this winter where nine inches of snow fell during the day and the train station lot wasn't plowed yet. It was me in my Fit, a Subaru, and a luxury SUV all trying to leave at the same time. Obviously I had to dig out a path for my tiny car, but i made it out of the lot relatively okay. The luxury SUV had the most problems, thought it could have been the driver. The Subaru made it out like a champ.
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jkapp
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Post by jkapp on Aug 7, 2014 8:35:32 GMT -5
AWD works fine for any roads that get plowed from time to time. If it is country roads where plows are scarce, then I'd go with a good 4WD. Just don't get too cocky when driving these types of vehicles...they can help out a lot in snow, but don't help out with ice. I've seen too many drivers end up in the ditch because they didn't understand that
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jkapp
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Post by jkapp on Aug 7, 2014 8:37:05 GMT -5
I have always driven FWD vehicles in PA winters. Just make sure you have good winter tires. This too They also make very good all-weather tires nowadays...
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Aug 7, 2014 8:42:09 GMT -5
I've always had FWD and I live in Iowa. My last car was a Ford Taurus and I currently drive an Impala. I've never had any serious problems with driving in snow. You just need to use common sense and stick to the emergency snow routes when it's nasty out.
If it's too bad they shut down the roads and I just don't go to work that day.
Totally agree with don't get RWD. DH used to have a truck and while it could plow thru stuff better than my sedan since it was taller his truck had the tendency to spin out a lot more often than my car and if he did get stuck it was a lot harder to get him out.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2014 8:45:12 GMT -5
AWD, RWD or FWD? I currently have a company provided vehicle but will need to provide me own in the near future. Any suggestions on type? I am leaning towards the AWD option, a bit more expensive but may be worth it in peace of mind. how much snow?
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Lizard Queen
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Post by Lizard Queen on Aug 7, 2014 8:53:09 GMT -5
I live in the land of lake effect snow, and I drive a Civic. As long as the tires are good, it does all right. A heavier car that is a bit higher off the ground would be better. I would go for an AWD, if driving on the highway. People in big SUVs tend to get cocky and go too fast, but will slide off the road on ice just as much as a smaller car. (I've seen a ton of cars in the ditches this past winter.)
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blackdiamond
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Post by blackdiamond on Aug 7, 2014 8:56:59 GMT -5
I am not really sure about the level of snow. I will be relocating to the midwest if that helps. It's good to hear from folks that FWD work just fine. Most of those I have talked to seem to think that an SUV with AWD is the way to go. I think I will keep my options to reliable used Japanese vehicles.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on Aug 7, 2014 9:04:07 GMT -5
Have you ever driven in snow before? I spent plenty of time stuck my first couple of winters. Wouldn't have mattered what type of car I drove, I didn't have the experience. I see plenty of cars in every make/model have problems in the snow. At the end of the day it really comes down to how good a driver you are in the snow. You could have an SUV with AWD but if you can't comprehend that black ice conditions means you don't go 85 mph down the road then it doesn't matter what type of car you drive.
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Sunnyday
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Post by Sunnyday on Aug 7, 2014 9:06:52 GMT -5
Have you ever driven in snow before? I spent plenty of time stuck my first couple of winters. Now I drive an Impala and haven't had any problems. I see plenty of cars in every make/model have problems in the snow. At the end of the day it really comes down to how good a driver you are in the snow. You could have an SUV with AWD but if you can't comprehend that black ice conditions means you don't go 85 mph down the road then it doesn't matter what type of car you drive. And snow tires make a difference! I just have a regular sedan and so do most of the people here (very snowy area), and we have snow tires. So, you don't need a special vehicle for snow, unless you are really going off road or have major hills to climb.
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bean29
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Post by bean29 on Aug 7, 2014 9:15:06 GMT -5
A sedan might be OK, but it won't go thru too many inches of snow. I think I'd opt for a smaller SUV with 4 WD. Perhaps a Honda CRV. Toyota and Mercedes also make a smaller SUV, as does Subaru. I have a 2012 AWD CRV. There is a small triangle that the windshield wipers don't clear. When driving in rush hour traffic in a snowstorm, my wipers ice up very bad. I think it is b/c of that small section that never gets cleared. My husband's 2013 Santa Fe has a similar problem but he does not have an hour commute in a snowstorm so it is not an issue for him.
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yogiii
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Post by yogiii on Aug 7, 2014 9:17:01 GMT -5
Have you ever driven in snow before? I spent plenty of time stuck my first couple of winters. Now I drive an Impala and haven't had any problems. I see plenty of cars in every make/model have problems in the snow. At the end of the day it really comes down to how good a driver you are in the snow. You could have an SUV with AWD but if you can't comprehend that black ice conditions means you don't go 85 mph down the road then it doesn't matter what type of car you drive. And snow tires make a difference! I just have a regular sedan and so do most of the people here (very snowy area), and we have snow tires. So, you don't need a special vehicle for snow, unless you are really going off road or have major hills to climb. I agree with Sunnyday. We have two small hatchbacks and put snow tires on them in the winter. I have a 70 mile roundtrip commute oh and I hate snow. Really really hate it.
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Angel!
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Post by Angel! on Aug 7, 2014 10:21:54 GMT -5
Have you ever driven in snow before? I spent plenty of time stuck my first couple of winters. Now I drive an Impala and haven't had any problems. I see plenty of cars in every make/model have problems in the snow. At the end of the day it really comes down to how good a driver you are in the snow. You could have an SUV with AWD but if you can't comprehend that black ice conditions means you don't go 85 mph down the road then it doesn't matter what type of car you drive. And snow tires make a difference! I just have a regular sedan and so do most of the people here (very snowy area), and we have snow tires. So, you don't need a special vehicle for snow, unless you are really going off road or have major hills to climb. Snow tires are awesome! I would just get a FWD sedan & if you have problems, then put on some snow tires. AWD do very well in the snow too. I remember one year following my brother in his AWD suburu with my FWD civic (no snow tires) on a really bad road. He was doing just fine & I was all over place. I also agree with others that some of it really comes down to experience. You have to learn how to drive in snow & then the type of car isn't quite as important.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Aug 7, 2014 10:40:11 GMT -5
AWD, RWD or FWD? I currently have a company provided vehicle but will need to provide me own in the near future. Any suggestions on type? I am leaning towards the AWD option, a bit more expensive but may be worth it in peace of mind. What kind of "snow" and what kind of driving - city/suburban/rural? It matters. Alot. My little FWD Scion xB handled an unusually snowy urban winter - it pulled me thru the slushy/icey quagmires at alley aprons (neighbor's luxury sedan got stuck and his kids had to push him out - because he tried to turn thru the slush versus hitting straight on), got me down deeply rutted icy/snowy alleys, and didn't slip or slid once when driving on snowy/wet city streets or expressways. I suspect most modern FWD non-sports cars (with a somewhat experience driver driving) would have been able to accomplish the same feats as my little xB. That said, my little car probably wouldn't do all that well out in deep suburbia/rural area where they don't plow - I'd have trouble with 6 or 8 inches of snow/slop on the road. And the xB wouldn't be able to push thru or go over a build up of hardended Snow Slag (the stuff a snow plow piles up as it goes along) that blocked a driveway or alley.... I'd base my vehicle choice on what kind of winter you typically have and what kind of driving you need to do.
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Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Aug 7, 2014 10:45:40 GMT -5
What kind of "snow" and what kind of driving - city/suburban/rural? It matters. Alot.
And what area you live in. Driving in snow in Minnesota is not the same as driving in snow in the NW.
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Blonde Granny
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Post by Blonde Granny on Aug 7, 2014 11:22:10 GMT -5
The other problem with the 4 WD is that many drivers also don't understand that 4WD does not mean they also have 4W stop.
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mollyc
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Post by mollyc on Aug 7, 2014 11:26:14 GMT -5
I live about 550 miles north of Seattle, WA in central BC. In the 16+ years I've been back up here, I've used a Crown Vic, a Taurus and an Impala. In the 80s and early 90s, my mom ran her Mazda GLC all year. There is someone in town now who runs his little one-man car all year round (he sticks to main streets because he has zero clearance).
Generally, if you put some weight in the trunk and learn how to drive on snow, a FWD sedan isn't a problem. Heck, DB2 could use his Trans-Am and the other littler sports car he had all year round because he knew what he was doing. There are way too many people up here who insist on owning big AWD and 4WD vehicles but they don't bother learning to use this capacity properly. They act like that fact by itself will magically keep them on the road and out of trouble. It often doesn't.
I would recommend snow tires but if the snow is generally dry or the roads you use are always cleared on a timely basis, you could possible get away with all-year. I prefer studded tires in winter but there are a lot of potential black ice spots on my daily route. Up here, they are trying to or have passed a law that your tires need to be rated for snow from November 1st to April 30th. I always switch between all-season and winter tires anyway so I haven't paid a lot of attention.
My big thing is, please, if you haven't driven in snow much, get lessons on dealing with skids. It is way easier when dealing with it is automatic as opposed to learning on the fly.
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sesfw
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Post by sesfw on Aug 7, 2014 11:56:48 GMT -5
I had a FWD Citation in the 80s in snow country in NO AZ and had no problems as long as the snow wasn't too deep. Our other vehicle was a 4x4 truck.
The only very bad thing about AWD is the mileage as a regular daily vehicle. Personally I would choose a FWD or 4x4. We had all weather tires on the Citation and didn't change them. 4x4 had all weather tires also.
4x4 will help get you out of a problem but won't stop you any faster. Black ice is nasty at any time. Keep your speed DOWN, eyes on the road and all senses alert. Don't go anywhere after dark is you can avoid it. If you are not the driving idiot, there are a lot of others on the road that are.
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Post by The Walk of the Penguin Mich on Aug 7, 2014 12:37:46 GMT -5
I have an AWD Subaru that does awesome in the snow. We got about a foot of very heavy, slushy snow this winter and my car powered up the hill without any problems. We don't get snow regularly, but when we do we do not get plowed out and since the trees overhang the road leading to the house, the sun never melts the snow.
That being said, I drove a RWD during the winter in Lake Placid, NY so this was how I learned to drive in snow. My FWD car did well in snow as well, but I think it is more due to the fact that I grew up learning how to drive in snow rather than the vehicle. My AWD car does give me more control than either.
And as mentioned earlier, it doesn't matter what car you drive if you drive like an idiot, especially on ice. Nothing stops on ice. I watched a 4WD SUV go through an intersection sideways during an ice storm. He was driving like an idiot, the light turned red and he tried to stop but the car didn't. I just stayed far enough behind to avoid his problems.
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busymom
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Post by busymom on Aug 7, 2014 13:11:14 GMT -5
They don't allow studded tires in our state, but I'm a HUGE fan of the Blizzak (I believe they're made by Bridgestone) snow tires. I've been stuck driving at times when I would've been better off staying home, & I was VERY impressed with how well those tires held onto the road.
As a lifelong Midwesterner, if you've never driven in snow, get out to an empty parking lot to practice turns & stopping on snow & ice. In a snowstorm, it's best NOT to drive up to the posted speed limit, even if you have AWD. A lot of people have hit the ditch assuming their AWD would save them.
Also, city driving is a lot different than driving out in farm country. I've complained here before about driving through "open prairie" to pick up DD from college. You can go from mostly dry highway & suddenly hit an icy patch of 4" of snow getting blown across the highway.
If you treat the weather with respect, you'll do o.k.
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Peace Of Mind
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Aug 7, 2014 13:16:15 GMT -5
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busymom
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Post by busymom on Aug 7, 2014 13:37:45 GMT -5
Great vehicle, POM! But just remember, if you get a vehicle with a "blade", you have to pay extra insurance for it.
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