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AWD is mostly about not getting stuck. It doesn't change physics. Your car won't magically stop better (stopping has nothing to do with what wheels are driven) with AWD/4WD, and it won't really handle all that much better either. It's only a safety concern because people don't know how to drive and do stupid stuff like mash the gas pedal in a corner and then freak out and smash the brakes. AWD helps there because you can smash more gas pedal before you spin out. Slow down and don't make any abrupt applications to the brake or gas. Know how to counter-steer. Get appropriate tires. If getting stuck is still a problem, throw a few hundred pounds of sandbags in the trunk to put some more weight on the rear... just realize you're also making the ass end of the car heavy and if you then proceed to spin out, the heavy end always wants to be the one that points forward.
Bmd, where do you live? Lots of people daily drive rwd cars in the snow belt. I think its totally doable even with all season tires if you just take your time. If you live in the mountains or hills, it can be more of an issue. I drove a rwd TrailBlazer SS in the mountains, and even with 300lb of sand in the rear and Blizzaks on all four corners, it could be a handful going up an incline.
It really depends on the car, and the balance. As a lot of folks stated, 50/50 weight distribution can make a heck of a difference in a RWD car. The other very important thing would be adequate tires, and on a RWD you'll really benefit from snow tires. BMW's and as stated, the G8 sedan are both good cars for all weather driving, permitted you know how to drive, actually concentrate on driving, and have a decent set of snow tires.
Personally, I think anything that comes out of Germany tends to do pretty well in the snow...often better than their Japanese competition. But i'm very biased.
I spent plenty of time driving RWD cars and two wheeled drive pickups. Never had any problem in snow. A bit of prudence in where you go and how you drive makes a world of difference.
Just for the record, "snow" tires are not what the OP wants, as they represent OLD technology. Instead, the OP should get a set of the newer technology, far superior WINTER tires.
Just for the record, most of us use the terms interchangeably. When I say snow tires I mean things like Blizzaks or the like.
Just for the record, most of us use the terms interchangeably. When I say snow tires I mean things like Blizzaks or the like.
But, if the OP is not familiar with the terminology, failure to explain exactly what you mean could just wind up confusing him. Yes, you know what you meant, but how do you know that the OP knows what you meant?
For all we know, he might have assumed that just putting two of those old heavily-lugged tires on the drive wheels would be sufficient, instead of using new-technology winter tires on all 4 wheels of the car.
Bmd, where do you live? Lots of people daily drive rwd cars in the snow belt. I think its totally doable even with all season tires if you just take your time. If you live in the mountains or hills, it can be more of an issue. I drove a rwd TrailBlazer SS in the mountains, and even with 300lb of sand in the rear and Blizzaks on all four corners, it could be a handful going up an incline.
I know how to drive in the white stuff, grew up in Buffalo!
I 'm looking at another car 3.8 L genesis. My brother said its horrible in the snow. I think his genesis came with Dunlops.
Relocating to the PA/NJ area. I know they don't get alot of snow. either does Buffalo anymore.
Where did you get that bit of misinformation about PA & NJ?
While last winter was essentially a non-event, the prior winter had enough snow to make both my winter tires and my snowblower worthwhile investments, and two years ago, we were clobbered with a few really big snowstorms.
One mild winter is not necessarily an indication of climate change.
With all due respect but there is simply no comparison to a RWD vehicle and an AWD or 4WD with winter tires in snow/ice. It's like comparing tennis shoes to ice cleats.
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