4WD Advise Requested

Sansui

Before the first of the year I'm going to get a four wheel drive SUV type of car. The problem is that I don't know anything about them. I've just started doing my homework and realized that the Toyota Rav4 is about the size and price range I'm interested in. I'm not to "hot" on whatever Ford is selling because of the recent "tire track record".

With the snows coming in January I don't want to be in a position where my Cavalier can't get me where I might need to go. I also feel that I'll be safer driving in snow/ice type of weather. I will not be "climbing mountains" or anything like that with this car, road driving only.

I'm looking for info on makes/models and what's good or bad about those models.

Would it be better for me to just write a check for it or get a loan and make payments?

Any thoughts or ideas will be appreciated!

MillerLiteScott

Sansui,

I drove the Ford Edge AWD about two weeks ago as a loaner car while my truck was in for service and I thought it was a nice and suprisingly sporty vehicle.

Scott

Serendipity

I am in the same situation. Looking for some type of 4WD car just for when it snows here.

Check out this thread:

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59303&highlight=Jeeps

BaggedLancer

If you are looking for an AWD car.....check out the Infiniti g35x, I drove mine through last winter with no issues.....it has the sportronic transmission that allows you shift without a clutch, snow mode, and a variable control differential for situations. I never had a problem and I commute 1 hour each way to work.

You can probably pick up a nice one off a lease in the 20's range. Brand new they are about 35 out the door.

Also, if that is too pricey, look into the Ford Fusion(i think thats it) AWD.....someone I know just got one, great car for the money and it fits your need for AWD.

ND13

Ford fixed it's(Firestone's) "tire issue" many years ago. Their Fusion and new Taurus AWDs are excellent vehicles.

When it comes to "All-Wheel Drive" cars, it's really hard to overlook Subaru and Audi. Infiniti makes a good awd system, too.

BaggedLancer

ND13 wrote: »

When it comes to "All-Wheel Drive" cars, it's really hard to overlook Subaru and Audi. Infiniti makes a good awd system, too.

Totally forgot about those 2. Great cars. I think bobman has a Subaru Forester or Outback, not sure which. Might want to talk to him, I'm pretty sure he like it though.

As for the Audi, I had the opportunity to drive a pretty modified 2003 Audi S4 2 winters ago and all I can say is wow, that car is responsive. I would have bought one if I could afford the repairs and maintenance on it.

ND13

IMO, Subaru is overlooked WAAAAAY too often. They make rock solid cars and are a blast to drive. I'd just as soon own a Subaru as any other Japanese or Asian made car out there.

Audi, on the other hand, are lovely vehicles, with arguably the finest interiors ever. An S6 is one of my faves. Their awd system is "almost" flawless.

BaggedLancer

ND13 wrote: »

IMO, Subaru is overlooked WAAAAAY too often. They make rock solid cars and are a blast to drive. I'd just as soon own a Subaru as any other Japanese or Asian made car out there.

Audi, on the other hand, are lovely vehicles, with arguably the finest interiors ever. An S6 is one of my faves. Their awd system is "almost" flawless.

The reason Subaru gets overlooked is prior to the WRX hype people viewed Subaru has having a really bad reputation. Remember the ones from the early 90's? Those were brutal, all sorts of problems. Subaru really fixed up their act, used the WRC Rally's as marketing advantages and now they are with the rest of the pack.

And yes, I totally agree, Audi has the one of the nicest interiors I've ever been in.

F1nut

With the snows coming in January I don't want to be in a position where my Cavalier can't get me where I might need to go. I also feel that I'll be safer driving in snow/ice type of weather. I will not be "climbing mountains" or anything like that with this car, road driving only.

Just a few thoughts from someone with a lot of on road/off road 4WD experience. It doesn't snow that much in the Baltimore area and when it does, the plows get the roads cleaned off PDQ. If it's iced up out there, 4WD offers zero advantage. 4WD vehicles handle differently than 2WD cars and an inexperienced driver can get into trouble very quickly. It doesn't matter what you are driving, they all stop the same. Let me repeat that, they all stop the same.

In your case, I think an AWD car makes more sense. It'll get you out of the neighborhood before the plows come thru, handles like a regular car and has a low center of gravity making it safer, which seems to be a concern of yours. Of course, they all stop the same.

Willow

We currently have a Nissan Xtrail, it's great but ...the best thing for winter/snow are proper tires, of which I am going to buy this weekend.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/cbc/071122/canada/canada_weather_storm

The pic is what I see from my desk..No I didn't take it.

ben62670

Sansui wrote: »

I'm not to "hot" on whatever Ford is selling because of the recent "tire track record".

Without getting into a Ford... debate you wouldn't by a Ford because of a bad line of Firestone tires that came out like 6 years ago

petrym

In the 'burbs and city you really don't *need* a 4WD, it's bit better for accelerating, but I'll repeat and paraphrase what F1Nut said - it's not 4WStop.

ben62670

I have used 4WD a lot. It absolutely helps stop in very slippery conditions. If your front, and rear tires are tied together (4WD) it works for deceleration to. It does not mean drive like an idiot, but your fronts won't lock up before your rears, and your rears won't lock up before your front's. Try descending a steep slippery hill just once in 4WD, and then try it in 2WD you will see what I mean.

Willow

petrym wrote: »

In the 'burbs and city you really don't *need* a 4WD, it's bit better for accelerating, but I'll repeat and paraphrase what F1Nut said - it's not 4WStop.

And that is what bother me the most, you see these people speeding along in their Escalades thinking nothing can get in their way then slam on the breaks...you have how many more tons to stop...(nothing against caddy, just first name that came to mind)

ben62670

Turning those big beast in 4WD can be tricky too. Just cause you can take off quicker, and stop quicker doesn't mean they can change direction quicker. Sometimes its like a jetski... a little gas can help in deeper snow. I did a lot of driving up in New England in feet of snow.

disneyjoe7

F1nut wrote: »

Of course, they all stop the same.

Jesse has to be one who drives on ice / snow with a commit like that. I myself don't miss those day's too much, but I'm always amazed on how people who never driven over ice / snow drive when it starts to rain. :rolleyes: :eek:

Serendipity

petrym wrote: »

In the 'burbs and city you really don't *need* a 4WD, it's bit better for accelerating, but I'll repeat and paraphrase what F1Nut said - it's not 4WStop.

Sorry for the dumb post, but does this mean a 4WD vehicle's ability to stop is very similar to that of a 2WD, but the main advantage of a 4WD is to "get going" in slippery situations, such as deep snow?

In NY you see a lot of people with RWD cars stuck in deep snow.

Willow

appadv wrote: »

Sorry for the dumb post, but does this mean a 4WD vehicle's ability to stop is very similar to that of a 2WD, but the main advantage of a 4WD is to "get going" in slippery situations, such as deep snow?QUOTE]

Yes, it doesn't help to stop, it's to get you going.

shawn474

I bought my wife a subaru outback and she absolutely loves it. I use it often when it snows / ices as I have a 55 mile commute and have never had a problem with it. We love driving it - as a dialy driver and as an AWD when it is needed.

Shawn

Serendipity

Willow wrote: »

Yes, it doesn't help to stop, it's to get you going.

Thanks. That's what I'm looking for though, sometimes when you are stuck in deep snow with a 2WD vehicle, you won't get anywhere.

F1nut

ben62670 wrote: »

I have used 4WD a lot. It absolutely helps stop in very slippery conditions. If your front, and rear tires are tied together (4WD) it works for deceleration to. It does not mean drive like an idiot, but your fronts won't lock up before your rears, and your rears won't lock up before your front's. Try descending a steep slippery hill just once in 4WD, and then try it in 2WD you will see what I mean.

I know what you're trying to say and agree IF you're just gearing down, but once you hit the brakes, all bets are off. The brakes can and will lock up regardless.

Serendipity

F1nut wrote: »

I know what you're trying to say and agree IF you're just gearing down, but once you hit the brakes, all bets are off. The brakes can and will lock up regardless.

Is this with a manual transmission?

Or do you just put your automatic gearbox in "2" or "L"? How much does that help on a slippery surface?

treitz3

Sansui wrote: »

Would it be better for me to just write a check for it or get a loan and make payments?

Hi Sansui, to answer this question see if you can get zero percent financing. Take the $$$ you were going to spend paying cash for the vehicle and wrap it up into a high yield CD, savings account or whatever the best option for you may be which might include keeping the dough where it is.

F1nut

Is this with a manual transmission?

Autos gear down all by themselves or you can manually downshift, if so inclined.

Or do you just put your automatic gearbox in "2" or "L"? How much does that help on a slippery surface?

For getting going, a lower gear ratio will provide more torque and prevent you jumping into a higher gear, thereby helping to prevent wheel spin. For stopping, by dropping into a lower gear you are limiting the rpm's and using the engine as a braking device, in effect, slowing down the vehicle without using the brakes.

Sansui

F1nut wrote: »

In your case, I think an AWD car makes more sense. It'll get you out of the neighborhood before the plows come thru, handles like a regular car and has a low center of gravity making it safer, which seems to be a concern of yours. Of course, they all stop the same.

Shows how much I know about these "new" type of cars. Just before reading this thread I tried to edit "4WD Advise" to AWD Advise" and this program only allows me to edit the message, not the title.

With my changed job responsibilities I may have to "roll" regardless of what back street conditions are. Many times it seems Balto. City forgets our residential street exists.

Sansui

treitz3 wrote: »

Hi Sansui, to answer this question see if you can get zero percent financing. Take the $$$ you were going to spend paying cash for the vehicle and wrap it up into a high yield CD, savings account or whatever the best option for you may be which might include keeping the dough where it is.

You're talking a foreign language to me about this financial stuff. I'll run this by my tax now (now financial adviser) next week.

Wouldn't 0% financing mean a loan where the dealer makes no money other than just the sale of the car? If so I'm guessing there's not many dealers that do that.

So much to learn, so little time...

MillerLiteScott

Sansui wrote: »

Many times it seems Balto. City forgets our residential street exists.

Call Martin or Sheila. Problem solved.:D

Serendipity

F1nut wrote: »

Autos gear down all by themselves or you can manually downshift, if so inclined.



For getting going, a lower gear ratio will provide more torque and prevent you jumping into a higher gear, thereby helping to prevent wheel spin. For stopping, by dropping into a lower gear you are limiting the rpm's and using the engine as a braking device, in effect, slowing down the vehicle without using the brakes.

OK, I see.

irishaz

+1 for Subaru. I had an Outback for a few years and it was outstanding in the snow. F1 is right though, once you hit the ice, all bets are off. Unless you have chains, you're probably heading for the ditch.

Serendipity

irishaz wrote: »

+1 for Subaru. I had an Outback for a few years and it was outstanding in the snow. F1 is right though, once you hit the ice, all bets are off. Unless you have chains, you're probably heading for the ditch.

Would the Subaru Impreza AWD be a good choice too?

irishaz

The Subaru Impreza is a great choice in my opinion. They are great vehicles, last forever, and get very good gas mileage.