How important is AWD in areas plagued by snow?

[Gemini]

I'm planning a move to a area which gets lots of snow in the winter time and I wont be keeping my CG coupe. i really wanna just buy a E39 and/or E38 bimmer but I started rethinking my choices.

I dont like SUV really so im trying to stay away from them and the only awd car that I found that I wouldnt might driving is a 2005 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT http://www.honda-tech.com/attachment...1&d=1244068934

I really dont know alot other cars that comes in awd within my budget ($15k) and im not willing to finance so thats out of the question.

i dont have alot of experience driving a rwd or fwd car in alot of snow so my question is, is it really necessary or not? I'm thinking no

[JoshM]

RWD is a no no. But, my only experience was with an S10 and a 240sx. Not exactly the vehicles you'd want in the snow (light ass end).

FWD is definitely doable, especially with snow tires.

AWD is a bonus, but not really necessary if you don't NEED another vehicle. Your CG will be fine with snow tires and a patient driver.

[h22sparkle]

Rwd is not so good in the snow youll fishtail side to side ass-end wise before you go anywhere too risky. If you have fwd you can move but you will slide side to side in the nose-end or get stuck without the proper tires.

Your best bet is awd if you can help it, thats why I got the evo up to speed and ready for the snow when the shit hit I was using mostly that.

The rain is nothing to me. Once thing I will add to the mix though awd is a plus but without the tires to go with it you can still get stuck and your advantage of having awd will be lowered to 50 percent. Makes no sense to drive around with awd with street tires. It just defeats the purpose.

[Pandemic]

Often times FWD is enough. AWD is a bonus but the thing is you really need an SUV or truck for the higher clearance.

[AccordWarrior]

Honestly, with heavy snow...the driver mod is key.

Good driver and proper tires are key. AWD is great to start traction and maintain it on slippery surfaces, but once you hit ice...AWD won't do squat.

I wouldnt' want to take just RWD through the snow (i.e. my truck in 2WD), but I also didn't have proper snow tires.

[ibr_adam09]

You could go with an Outback. Has awd, high clearance and still gas friendly versus the full blown SUV's.

[deevergote]

I drive my Fit through plenty of heavy snow, and it's been fine. I never even had snow tires, which are a big help.

RWD is dangerous, but FWD is really all you need. You just need to be able to get the car moving. Once you're moving, it doesn't matter all that much which wheels are powered. AWD won't stop you any faster.

My mom got an Outback last year, just in time for the snow. She said to me "I don't know why they say AWD is so great... I still slide all over the place!"

['93CB7Ex]

yea fwd is fine. i drove this winter in my accord and it tracked like a boss.

[h22sparkle]

I drive my Fit through plenty of heavy snow, and it's been fine. I never even had snow tires, which are a big help.

RWD is dangerous, but FWD is really all you need. You just need to be able to get the car moving. Once you're moving, it doesn't matter all that much which wheels are powered. AWD won't stop you any faster.

My mom got an Outback last year, just in time for the snow. She said to me "I don't know why they say AWD is so great... I still slide all over the place!"

lol

[Ralphie]

If you want a honda with awd, get a crv brah.

The details are online...but I've talked to two different people, one who owns a forrester as well, and both said the crv is amazing in the snow.

Were getting one soon.

But it is not necessary, I've driven the cg in snow. Gotta learn how to drive in the snow and your good.

[ibr_adam09]

I think awd only advantage over fwd in snow is if you get your car completely stuck in snow. Instead of two wheels trying to pull you out, four are.

[King James]

You know how many people I see driving bmws, mercs, ect in heavy ass snow here.....I see those as much as I see hondas....I personally wouldnt want to drive RWD in the snow....but it can and is done daily

FWD is fine with snow tires.....Ive driven my civic in 20+cm of snow up an incline and it did it no problem.

AWD is a plus.....but really you need snow tires more than you need anything else

Where you moving to?

[604CB7]

Living in BC Canada... we had a rather mild winter this year... my Cb7 with winters was more then I needed... just a bit of common sense while driving and it's not bad...

[h22sparkle]

Also if you know your going to be in alot of snow and all that depending on how high it is,always i repeat always being a shovel. Ontop of that if its way too high dont drive at all.

[Gemini]

I don't like the outbacks and I really wanted to get a bimmer but I kno rwd is tricky so ill put getting oneoff a big. I know fwd with snow tires are pretty good because I drovd the ex's civic in the snow when I was in Ontario back in December but it wasnr tat muh snow wen I was there. I really don't want a suv but I think one would be more suitable for lugging around a kid in the snow.

I'm planning a move to Ontarion in the next 12 months but I wanted to sell the cg soon for something wih 4 doors so I'm doing my research to ensure I buy the proper vehicle.