Which car is better for heavy snow?
Which car is better for heavy snow?
Its been snowing like crazy in Mammoth Lakes and will continue snowing till friday. Im gonna be arriving there friday night so Im a little worried about the drive there.
I have two options in my house and im gonna buy snow chains for whichever car i take.
1) Mercedez Benz R350 (RWD)
2) Altima 2.5 (FWD)
Which car would you take?
I have two options in my house and im gonna buy snow chains for whichever car i take.
1) Mercedez Benz R350 (RWD)
2) Altima 2.5 (FWD)
Which car would you take?
I now drive an accord....
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,800
Likes: 2
From: Etters, PA
FWD of course
However are you comfortable driving in the snow? If not then just don't go. No sense in risking your life or others by driving in a situation you are unfamiliar with.
However are you comfortable driving in the snow? If not then just don't go. No sense in risking your life or others by driving in a situation you are unfamiliar with.
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Altima because it's cheaper. Otherwise my friend has a BMW and I actually prefer RWD it seems to be easier to catch and FWD just locks up and boom right into the curb, even AWD was like that. If the Altima is stick, don't take it, I learned how to drive manual when it was snowy... F that it was soo hard.
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 134
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From: NYC
Altima because it's cheaper. Otherwise my friend has a BMW and I actually prefer RWD it seems to be easier to catch and FWD just locks up and boom right into the curb, even AWD was like that. If the Altima is stick, don't take it, I learned how to drive manual when it was snowy... F that it was soo hard.
they're pretty much useless
I now drive an accord....
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,800
Likes: 2
From: Etters, PA
Altima because it's cheaper. Otherwise my friend has a BMW and I actually prefer RWD it seems to be easier to catch and FWD just locks up and boom right into the curb, even AWD was like that. If the Altima is stick, don't take it, I learned how to drive manual when it was snowy... F that it was soo hard.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 433
Likes: 2
From: Medina, OH
Altima because it's cheaper. Otherwise my friend has a BMW and I actually prefer RWD it seems to be easier to catch and FWD just locks up and boom right into the curb, even AWD was like that. If the Altima is stick, don't take it, I learned how to drive manual when it was snowy... F that it was soo hard.
Disinformation Terminator
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,930
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From: NorCal
Now, let's set the over/under for posts after this one that still give out suggestions.
I set it at 10.
Someday, an RS6 Avant+
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Japan
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 134
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From: NYC
Senior Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 20,067
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From: Cleveland area, OH
Um, I just used my very powerful RWD car in the snow with snow tires during a heavy snow storm. Works fine as long as you know how to drive, which I do, having lived in snowy Cleveland for 20 years.
Even so...having more weight over the drive wheels (FWD) is helpful for traction, especially if neither car has snow tires. OP made the right choice.
Even so...having more weight over the drive wheels (FWD) is helpful for traction, especially if neither car has snow tires. OP made the right choice.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,349
Likes: 3
From: Lower Nazzie, Pa
I have driven my M45 sport w/ snow tires in snow for the first 2 years I had it. No problems as long as your attentive and know it can easily get tail happy (even with snow tires). Now I use the pathfinder w/ all seasons in the winter. It's 4wd, so I pop it into 4hi when needed, but usually it's rwd otherwise and I can tell it's even more tail happy than my M, most likely 'cuz of all seasons.
But with that said, my choice if you're worried about snow driving would be based on the following order...
1. AWD/4WD/FWD/RWD - if tires are equal all seasons or snow.
2. FWD/RWD - the one with better tires if tires aren't equal (i.e. snows over all season, all seasons over summer...basd on firsthand experience, i will take RWD w/ all seasons over FWD with summers anyday)
3. FWD/RWD - FWD over RWD if equal tires.
In your case, I would take the Altima (unless you need the hauling room), just more predictable and forgiving than RWD on snow.
But with that said, my choice if you're worried about snow driving would be based on the following order...
1. AWD/4WD/FWD/RWD - if tires are equal all seasons or snow.
2. FWD/RWD - the one with better tires if tires aren't equal (i.e. snows over all season, all seasons over summer...basd on firsthand experience, i will take RWD w/ all seasons over FWD with summers anyday)
3. FWD/RWD - FWD over RWD if equal tires.
In your case, I would take the Altima (unless you need the hauling room), just more predictable and forgiving than RWD on snow.
Errrmm... I have. Drove my brother F-150 and it's RWD with an empty bed, and I gotta say I had fun. Gotta be easy on it that's all it's not that bad as everyone makes it. Only thing is getting up hills but I don't have to deal with that so yeah.
One on the right for me
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,914
Likes: 272
From: Bay Area, CA
Didn't feel it was necessary to start another thread with a similar question
Going to tahoe. Have my TL (manual) with chains (yes chains, I rarely go to the snow, no need for snow tires) or the S6 with quattro but summer tires.
I'm thinking TL. I know 4 wheel is nice but there is a shit ton of torque and I don't think the tires on the Audi will work out well
Going to tahoe. Have my TL (manual) with chains (yes chains, I rarely go to the snow, no need for snow tires) or the S6 with quattro but summer tires.
I'm thinking TL. I know 4 wheel is nice but there is a shit ton of torque and I don't think the tires on the Audi will work out well
Didn't feel it was necessary to start another thread with a similar question
Going to tahoe. Have my TL (manual) with chains (yes chains, I rarely go to the snow, no need for snow tires) or the S6 with quattro but summer tires.
I'm thinking TL. I know 4 wheel is nice but there is a shit ton of torque and I don't think the tires on the Audi will work out well
Going to tahoe. Have my TL (manual) with chains (yes chains, I rarely go to the snow, no need for snow tires) or the S6 with quattro but summer tires.
I'm thinking TL. I know 4 wheel is nice but there is a shit ton of torque and I don't think the tires on the Audi will work out well
the difference will always be tires and driver competence in snow, the car is irrelevant IMO.
edit: I'm on a ski vacation in bc right now and have a shitty suzuki sx4 with all seasons but I can put it places where my friend can only go with chains, because I understand how to use momentum in my favor and how to use gearing etc to keep the car moving.
edit: I'm on a ski vacation in bc right now and have a shitty suzuki sx4 with all seasons but I can put it places where my friend can only go with chains, because I understand how to use momentum in my favor and how to use gearing etc to keep the car moving.
Last edited by The Dougler; Jan 22, 2010 at 12:25 AM.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,349
Likes: 3
From: Lower Nazzie, Pa
I
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,865
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From: Chicago Suburbs
All the people who are saying that RWD is useless in the snow have obviously never driven a RWD car with proper tires.
Between the cars I've owned, the top 2 would have to be RWD with winter tires (330Ci and GS400) The Acura CL-S on the other hand was useless with the all season tires (in Chicago)
Between the cars I've owned, the top 2 would have to be RWD with winter tires (330Ci and GS400) The Acura CL-S on the other hand was useless with the all season tires (in Chicago)