Thinking of trading the TL... Comments?
Thinking of trading the TL... Comments?
So I was thinking about this for a while now..
I kind of want to trade my TL for a Subie Forester XT. I'm moving to Northern Arizona next year and I'm pretty worried about the TL in the snow. It's pretty low to the ground, and I'm afraid I'll end up just ruining it with rust and ice scraping on the fenders and salted roads, uggggh.
I love the TL, but I'm not sure I can keep it. Someone talk me out of this.
I kind of want to trade my TL for a Subie Forester XT. I'm moving to Northern Arizona next year and I'm pretty worried about the TL in the snow. It's pretty low to the ground, and I'm afraid I'll end up just ruining it with rust and ice scraping on the fenders and salted roads, uggggh.
I love the TL, but I'm not sure I can keep it. Someone talk me out of this.
3G TL/2G MDX Owner
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5,375
Likes: 979
From: The west side of the Potomac River
how much snow do they get?
i've driven my TL through 6 winters here. some snowy, some not so snowy. i think my younger MDX has more rust on the underside of it than my TL. granted if i can't get out of my own neighborhood....i'm not driving anywhere. if you're lowered then you might have reason to worry. if you're stock height...you'll live. just drive carefully if you have to drive in the snow. or get snow tires. or use it as an excuse to say "can't come in, car wont' make it out" and just stay home.
i've driven my TL through 6 winters here. some snowy, some not so snowy. i think my younger MDX has more rust on the underside of it than my TL. granted if i can't get out of my own neighborhood....i'm not driving anywhere. if you're lowered then you might have reason to worry. if you're stock height...you'll live. just drive carefully if you have to drive in the snow. or get snow tires. or use it as an excuse to say "can't come in, car wont' make it out" and just stay home.
I went and toured a college there in about March, the snow season had just ended and there was still about 2 1/2 feet of snow on the ground. Some cars had it up past the wheels in the parking lot.
Plus, the Forester is actually a lot quicker than the TL, which never really hurts. It can do offroad stuff nicely too. And cargo area. But no car design looks as good as the TL, either.
Plus, the Forester is actually a lot quicker than the TL, which never really hurts. It can do offroad stuff nicely too. And cargo area. But no car design looks as good as the TL, either.
Last edited by Steven Bell; Sep 12, 2012 at 06:32 PM. Reason: Merged Posts.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 118
Likes: 5
I moved to Buffalo last year and my type s was like a damn snow plow up here. So low to the ground, but once i got going she handled fine.
Under body was in good condition, plus most of my winters where in Connecticut, they don't use salt on the highways, some liquid spray, so that helped with rust prevention.
Under body was in good condition, plus most of my winters where in Connecticut, they don't use salt on the highways, some liquid spray, so that helped with rust prevention.
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I've moved to snowy michigan with my lowered honda.
Yup, I was a snow collector and with all the snow that collected around my wheel well, I couldn't drive very fast, and yeh not the safest. If you think the MPG sucks now, wait til it's in snow in sub freezing temps.
I'm still pondering selling it and getting a WRX with AWD
Yup, I was a snow collector and with all the snow that collected around my wheel well, I couldn't drive very fast, and yeh not the safest. If you think the MPG sucks now, wait til it's in snow in sub freezing temps.
I'm still pondering selling it and getting a WRX with AWD
We always had two 4WD vehicles as the wife and I could not miss work, so owned many Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee's over the years and there is no substitute when it comes to snow or inclement weather, they were great, and with the drivetrain no problem with the 200' driveway that has 2 turns and goes upward. Put it in low and drive right through the snow.
The Forester won't see the TL's fuel mileage on the highway as the Turbo only comes with a 4 speed A/T with premium fuel, unless one opts for the least expensive model with a 5 speed and 170 hp. It will certainly give you some confidence in snowfall and just to be sure, install some mountain/snowflake tires and you'll think you're in a tank.
Got to go with what makes life easier.
The Forester won't see the TL's fuel mileage on the highway as the Turbo only comes with a 4 speed A/T with premium fuel, unless one opts for the least expensive model with a 5 speed and 170 hp. It will certainly give you some confidence in snowfall and just to be sure, install some mountain/snowflake tires and you'll think you're in a tank.
Got to go with what makes life easier.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,778
Likes: 700
From: Las Vegas, NV
I would trade it in if you're that worried about it. I'd also consider if the TL was paid off, and make sure the car is worth more than what you owe on it if anything. You do not want negative equity added onto a new vehicle.
I've always hacked it in the snow. With a manual transmission, front wheel drive and good snow (or even all season tires), just about any car can make it in the snow assuming the driver has some experience with it.
However, if you don't have a lot of experience in the snow, then trading the TL for a Subie might be a good idea. The upsides are that it will definitely handle better and won't be a plow since it stands higher. But don't get confident in it. Nearly every vehicle I see that slid off the road into a ditch in the winter is an SUV, truck or Subie. People that drive them get way too confident in bad weather. Remember, AWD/4WD doesn't matter when you're breaking.
I've driven two Foresters and they're not nearly as fun at the TL. It's not fair to compare the two since they're completely different vehicles that serve two completely different purposes. But I find the Forester to be rather clunky and utilitarian. That's what they're built for however so I'm not dissing them. They're built to serve a purpose which they do very well. Being a sports car is not one of them. My buddy at work has a 2011 XT which is turbo'd which makes up on power, but not anywhere as nimble as the TL. And having driven with him several times I believe I could easily take him in a 0-60 with my mods (not that it matters...). So you'll be giving up agility for sure. Raw speed, not so much. The XT touts 226HP with the TL at 258HP. The TL is 200lbs heavier though which kind of negates that (unless you're a manual which is 100lbs lighter and have worked on the TL diet
). However, I'd rather have an equal amount of power NA than FI'd. I think just about anyone would.
Power and agility might be insignificant details though. And I'm probably making it sound worse than it is. With AWD the agility isn't terrible. And the turbo'd 4-banger put out plenty of power. If you have zero experince driving in the snow I'd say go for it despite those downsides. I've found the TL to be fair in the snow with all season tires. But "Fair" for an inexperienced winter drive isn't very good.
However, if you don't have a lot of experience in the snow, then trading the TL for a Subie might be a good idea. The upsides are that it will definitely handle better and won't be a plow since it stands higher. But don't get confident in it. Nearly every vehicle I see that slid off the road into a ditch in the winter is an SUV, truck or Subie. People that drive them get way too confident in bad weather. Remember, AWD/4WD doesn't matter when you're breaking.
I've driven two Foresters and they're not nearly as fun at the TL. It's not fair to compare the two since they're completely different vehicles that serve two completely different purposes. But I find the Forester to be rather clunky and utilitarian. That's what they're built for however so I'm not dissing them. They're built to serve a purpose which they do very well. Being a sports car is not one of them. My buddy at work has a 2011 XT which is turbo'd which makes up on power, but not anywhere as nimble as the TL. And having driven with him several times I believe I could easily take him in a 0-60 with my mods (not that it matters...). So you'll be giving up agility for sure. Raw speed, not so much. The XT touts 226HP with the TL at 258HP. The TL is 200lbs heavier though which kind of negates that (unless you're a manual which is 100lbs lighter and have worked on the TL diet
). However, I'd rather have an equal amount of power NA than FI'd. I think just about anyone would. Power and agility might be insignificant details though. And I'm probably making it sound worse than it is. With AWD the agility isn't terrible. And the turbo'd 4-banger put out plenty of power. If you have zero experince driving in the snow I'd say go for it despite those downsides. I've found the TL to be fair in the snow with all season tires. But "Fair" for an inexperienced winter drive isn't very good.
FWIW I used to drive my moms Outback in the snow and the thing slid around more than my RWD Caprice with snow tires that I had at the time. Yes it has more clearance, it never had a problem getting started in the snow, but it never felt that good to me and was balls slow. I think they still use the same 4 speed trans in those they've been using forever... kind of a dinosaur when you think about it. If you're worried about rust, coat the underside of your car with Por 15 or something like that. My AWD Trailblazer SS was a snow beast, other than the fact it was lowered so it had little clearance, I just got sick of putting gas in it. Subaru gas mileage sucks too, I averaged 13-14 when I drove the Outback, the Forester is bigger so I'd expect worst. My buddy has an 04 STi and gets single digits (whole different animal so not a fair comparison lol). What about getting a rust bucket beater for a few hundred bucks? Just drive that if you're worried about wrecking or rust.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 445
Likes: 67
From: Columbus, o_hi_o
doesn't make sense to me to pick your vehicle based on winter driving conditions. winter is only 1 season of the year.
if you don't want to drive the TL in the snow, you can always buy a cheap beat up SUV for a winter car.
if you don't want to drive the TL in the snow, you can always buy a cheap beat up SUV for a winter car.
How much snow are we talking? Will you be in Flagstaff? I've never lived in Arizona but I've lived in Utah most of my life and it's never been bad enough here to change my car buying habits. We get plenty of snow but honestly, the number of instances where you're actually driving in the snow is infrequent. Most of the time the sun clears the roads by mid day, plows take care of it with plowing/salt or it's just simply a dry month or couple of weeks. With as dry as it is here (humidity-wise), snow doesn't tend to hang around for a long time like it does in the Northeast.
Personally I would get an older suv with 4wd and keep the TL. Thats what I plan on doing if I get into grad school up north. Ill keep my TL here in FL and take my dads 4Runner up north.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 134
Likes: 59
I needed a bigger vehicle recently so I traded in a 2008 Silver base TL with tech package for a 2013 White RDX with tech package. They are both great vehicles. I love the RDX in different ways than I love the TL. And I didn't give up the TL completely. I still have a White Type S that I sport around town. I'm going to be keeping the Type S for awhile.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 598
Likes: 96
The TL isn't very low. I drove my Accord around on Volks with bald summer tires and it wasn't that bad. The rear end loved to wiggle around, but it was fine below 40 in deep snow.
We tend to get quite a bit of snow over the winter, but this is about the only picture I have. I drove it daily like this for years, never got stuck.
We tend to get quite a bit of snow over the winter, but this is about the only picture I have. I drove it daily like this for years, never got stuck.
6spd FTW
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 49
From: is everything.
My CL made it through a pretty rough NY winter on bald all-seasons slammed to the ground. You'll be fine with a TL in the snow in AZ. At least AZ is mostly flat, we have nothing but hills here. My TL does great in the snow with snow tires. Just don't drive like an idiot.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 120
From: Chicagoland
TL does fine in the snow with the right tires. Granted its not designed to take on unplowed roads, but if its that bad I don't want to be driving anyways. We use salt (lots of salt!) on the roads around here and no real concerns rust wise after 6 years.
The TL isn't very low. I drove my Accord around on Volks with bald summer tires and it wasn't that bad. The rear end loved to wiggle around, but it was fine below 40 in deep snow.
We tend to get quite a bit of snow over the winter, but this is about the only picture I have. I drove it daily like this for years, never got stuck.
We tend to get quite a bit of snow over the winter, but this is about the only picture I have. I drove it daily like this for years, never got stuck.
MI plow sucks, on my dropped CB7 with summer tires it was a hazard sometimes.
Thread high jack:
For those in snowy climates, have you removed those little fins under the car that are in place to keep you from driving too far up on a curb? (the black flaps that point straight down under the front of the car)
Do those collect snow alot?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 6
From: Toronto
Oh no not Northern Arizona! With the huge amoutn of snow they get there only a Toyota Hilux has any chance of getting around.
I wonder how this guy does it with his TL up in Nunavut: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bpein/4...in/photostream
I wonder how this guy does it with his TL up in Nunavut: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bpein/4...in/photostream
