Joined Jul 2007
L6: Expert
Forum Thread
Do you drive an SUV
November 10, 2010 at
08:40 AM
in
Chat
If so, do you recommend it? why?
I'm trying to get an suv before winter starts but i'm unsure of what to get. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.
TIA
I'm trying to get an suv before winter starts but i'm unsure of what to get. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated.
TIA
Community Wiki
Last Edited by idkist
November 10, 2010
at
01:55 PM
Requirements:
$22,000 - $25,000
Compact to Mid-Size SUV
4x4 or AWD
Suggestions From Loungers:
VW Tiguan
bmw x-5 /nagin
Hyundai Sante Fe
Hyundai Tuscon
Honda CRV
Jeep Liberty
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Mercury Mountaineer before 2001
Subaru Outback before 2003
Passat Wagon 4-motion around 2001-2003
Grand Cherokee anything before 2005
Toyota Rav 4
$22,000 - $25,000
Compact to Mid-Size SUV
4x4 or AWD
Suggestions From Loungers:
VW Tiguan
bmw x-5 /nagin
Hyundai Sante Fe
Hyundai Tuscon
Honda CRV
Jeep Liberty
Jeep Wrangler
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Mercury Mountaineer before 2001
Subaru Outback before 2003
Passat Wagon 4-motion around 2001-2003
Grand Cherokee anything before 2005
Toyota Rav 4
102 Comments
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Get winter tires or good all-season tires with high winter ratings if driving in snow is a problem. Also, find an empty parking lot to practice driving on snow/ice. Learn what it takes to make your car slide, and what you can do to correct it if it does start sliding. Especially if you get a new car, it is important to know its limits as all cars react differently. This will make you a much safer driver on the road.
As to your vehicle weight vs. traction debate, I agree that a lighter vehicle is better in snow, especially with winter tires. My car is very heavy (4200 lbs!) and AWD, and compared to my last car (3200 lbs, FWD) they perform about the same in snow with all season tires. Of course the AWD car has slightly better traction accelerating and on hills. However increased vehicle weight = more momentum once moving which means more difficult to stop or change direction when it gets slippery.
One more general comment; typically the problem that leads to crashes when driving in snow is not so much getting going as it is slowing, stopping, or turning. AWD and 4x4 does nothing to solve those issues. Only proper winter tires will improve those areas of performance, which are more important than accelerating in slippery conditions.
But if i had a choice i would buy a 93-97 Toyota Landcruiser because it had the center differential locking system.
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I really don't think one needs a 4x4 with winter tires for normal day-to-day city driving, where roads are usually taken care of.
Again - If you want a 4x4 shod with winter tires and studs, go for it! I'm just saying you most likely don't need them...
But then, may be I'm talking out of my ass since I have only lived for a couple of year in cold weather states where it snows more than 3-4 days a year.
I really don't think one needs a 4x4 with winter tires for normal day-to-day city driving, where roads are usually taken care of.
Again - If you want a 4x4 shod with winter tires and studs, go for it! I'm just saying you most likely don't need them...
But then, may be I'm talking out of my ass since I have only lived for a couple of year in cold weather states where it snows more than 3-4 days a year.
I lived in up in NYC for most of my life, and all you really need is a FWD car with decent all-season tires and a little driving know-how. Winter tires is a big plus. Winter tires and an AWD/4+4 is an even bigger plus. But you don't need them, as you said.
If you live in an area with considerable snow, you should consider buying another set of tires. SNOW TIRES.
Doesn't matter how heavy your vehicle is, or if you have AWD. If you don't want to slip, a combination will help you.
http://jalopnik.com/5449015/video...snow-tires
If you live in an area with considerable snow, you should consider buying another set of tires. SNOW TIRES.
Doesn't matter how heavy your vehicle is, or if you have AWD. If you don't want to slip, a combination will help you.
http://jalopnik.com/5449015/video...snow-tires
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I live in CA where it doesn't snow and the closest I come to it is when I decide to go up to Tahoe... and put on chains if required.