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
101 Comments
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Hyundai is still the best bargain out there.
All season tires = moderate traction on snow/ice
Winter tires/snow tires = great traction on snow/ice
Don't ask me what the difference (besides price
And they make special tires, I haven't seen them in the US (or they may not be street legal). They have little spikes for controlled driving on ice.
Tires play a major role in the traction of your car or SUV on ice.
Now obviously, bald tires vs anything else is a big difference as well... so I'm not saying tires are irrelevant to the equation... just that I think mass has more of an effect UNLESS you're getting some super special tires.
If you think getting an SUV will stop you from "sliding" then you are in for a surprise....
Now obviously, bald tires vs anything else is a big difference as well... so I'm not saying tires are irrelevant to the equation... just that I think mass has more of an effect UNLESS you're getting some super special tires.
I don't get your argument about the bigger SUV having more traction on ice? I don't see it from a physics standpoint. Explain it to me. (I'm not saying you're wrong, I just don't see it
If you think getting an SUV will stop you from "sliding" then you are in for a surprise....
Yeah - a lot of snow/ice driving has to do with how you are driving, not what you are driving. During the ice storms a couple years back I was making it up icy hills in my FWD Hyundai Sonata that people in big SUVs and trucks were stuck or sliding backwards.
Come to think of it, I am definitely the best driver on the road /CelineDionAgain. Nobody could possibly find fault with my perfect driving skills.
also
"Usable Traction = coefficient of Traction x Weight"
On a dry surface, the weight of the car would play a HUGE role in traction. (much bigger than the frictional coefficient difference coming from the tires)
On ice, which has a very low friction factor, the weight of the car becomes largely irrelevant... So hence the tires (which are rubber and would possibly create more friction) would play a bigger role as compared to weight.
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I don't get your argument about the bigger SUV having more traction on ice? I don't see it from a physics standpoint. Explain it to me. (I'm not saying you're wrong, I just don't see it
Case in point, you'll see a lot of truck drivers throw a hay bale/cement slab/something heavy in the bed of their trucks during winter to provide more traction on their back end.
Case in point, you'll see a lot of truck drivers throw a hay bale/cement slab/something heavy in the bed of their trucks during winter to provide more traction on their back end.
For that case in point, I'm not sure it's purely a "weight" thing. People do that on RWD cars too, to keep the back end down on the road. (FWD cars don't need it...)
I have a 2000 Honda SUV and just love it but they've completely redesigned the CRV since mine came out. I've heard the new ones are nice but haven't test driven one. Don't want to be tempted as I like not having a car payment.
The reason I wouldn't recommend the Jeep is its poor gas mileage (rarely similar to stated 'perfect conditions' numbers), and the fact that the window fixtures/regulators are held together with a 3-cent piece of plastic which breaks in the majority of vehicles, from 1-4 doors. All you need to do is google Jeep Window Problem and the forums of thousands of complaints appear. To that extent, I'd suggest googling any vehicle you decide upon, and looking for driver/complaint forums until you find a vehicle that has a small community and thus fewer problems.
The only two vehicles which did as well as my Jeep in crash test ratings and safety ratings was the Honda CRV and the king of the rating, Subaru Forrester. Obviously this is old data, but reputations tend to continue... so that's where I'd head first.
Good luck and safe driving.
Slightly different treads in a tire are going to make a difference if you're talking about increasing traction for a specific car (i.e., you already have a car, you're looking to increase traction), but if you have the choice OF the vehicle, then I'd go for more mass if you're looking for more traction.
Honestly, at this point it would be speculation unless we have hard numbers in front of us. But out of these two scenarios, you know which one I'd pick.
A) 4497 lbs. w/ winter tires
B) 6411 lbs. w/all year tires
Spoiler for which weight belongs to which SUV.
I am looking at the same cars for the same reasons, but for about 20k less. (~5k).
So far I like:
Mercury Mountaineer before 2001
Subaru Outback before 2003
Passat Wagon 4-motion around 2001-2003
Grand Cherokee anything before 2005
As for the traction, more weight takes more force to move. So it could be easier for a little Cavalier to get going on ice than it is for a semi with 4x more tires and probably 10x more contact area and so much more weight.
What about a Jeep Wrangler or Grand Cherokee? or even a AWD car.
The 4-matic line of MB may be useful, or the quattro Audi/ 4-motion VW
Slightly different treads in a tire are going to make a difference if you're talking about increasing traction for a specific car (i.e., you already have a car, you're looking to increase traction), but if you have the choice OF the vehicle, then I'd go for more mass if you're looking for more traction.
Honestly, at this point it would be speculation unless we have hard numbers in front of us. But out of these two scenarios, you know which one I'd pick.
A) 4497 lbs. w/ winter tires
B) 6411 lbs. w/all year tires
Spoiler for which weight belongs to which SUV.
Another downside to a heavier vehicle, it'll take longer to stop on snow/ice
I'd go for a lighter AWD vehicle with winter tires (and that's exactly what I drive)
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And I took that thing everywhere including into the woods for geocaching and mushroom picking.
They are really stocked up now too...check it out.....http://www.internetaut
Good luck with whatever you choose!