SUV or Minivan in MI winters? (Detroit, Flint: environment, relocating, work)

[dakwilk]

I am relocating to metro Detroit and need to purchase a new car. (No subways in Detroit ) I have two young children and would like another eventually. I like the look of crossovers or smaller SUV's but fear that they will be too small. Most of my friends say go for the minivan, but there is little snow here. Do I need a vehicle with 4WD? If I find a minivan with 4WD, will I be too low to the ground to get around in a lot of snow? What do people with families drive out there? (I'd like something that isn't horrible for the environment, also.) Thanks for the advice!

[Coldjensens]

In the Detroit area, we had maybe one snow this year deep enough to need higher clearance. However they got a little more snow in the North eastern Suburbs. Not a whole lot more, but some. When the snow was deep the schools were closed and most roads were plowed almost immediately. Do you need an SUV? Probably not. I have a 4WD truck and it is really nice to have when you need it. I turned on the 4wd twice this year while on the road. I use it about ten to fifteen times a year. Mostly because of mud, or for off road use. Gas mileage goes down with 4WD. they also get expensive to maintain when they get older.

Too many people get into a 4WD in the snow and think that they are invincible because they are driving a big 4wd boat. Those people end up stuck, smashed, or rolled over in a ditch. 4WD does handle a little better in the snow, but it does not stop any better and you can still slide off the road sideways if you go too fast.

I would get a minivan. They are usually front wheel drive (I think) and even rear wheel drive should be fine for the conditions that we have here. A minvan gets slightly better mileage than most of the SUV things, and unless you go with a suburban for a big family or a Tahoe for a smaller family, they do not have much room inside them. They are also a bear to park and do not always fit into parking garages. Many of the SUV things have little or no more clearance than a minivan. You also end up paying more because they are more popular. An SUV is really a vehicle for rugged off road use. Somehow they became the soccer mom vehicle of choice. Now most of them are not really designed for rugged off road use, they are really just inflated station wagons. If you are not going off road much, why pay the premium?

Most minivans have better safety features than most SUVs. there are exceptions of course, just like with anything. Many SUVs are more prone to rolling over because the clearance gives them a high center of gravity.

I really like the new Chrysler minivan with the seats that turn around, but the Honda Oddessey is better rated and has more safety features. I was not impressed with the other minivans that we looked at, except the VW was neat because it is unique. We did not look at VW recently, not sure if they still make that one.

We also have a full sized van. It has enough clearance and weight to get through almost any snow that we are likely to have here. We plan to downsize to a minivan as our kids get a bit older and we do not have everyone in the car at once as often. We started looking at Minivans last year. they sure are a lot easier to drive. Some of them have very little cargo space if you fill up all the seats though (most SUVs are even worse). If you do not have a large family, a decent sized sedan may give you more space and comfort. they just are not as easy to get in and out of.

[OhEdo]

Originally Posted by dakwilk

I am relocating to metro Detroit and need to purchase a new car. (No subways in Detroit ) I have two young children and would like another eventually. I like the look of crossovers or smaller SUV's but fear that they will be too small. Most of my friends say go for the minivan, but there is little snow here. Do I need a vehicle with 4WD? If I find a minivan with 4WD, will I be too low to the ground to get around in a lot of snow? What do people with families drive out there? (I'd like something that isn't horrible for the environment, also.) Thanks for the advice!

How about a station wagon? People seem to never consider these anymore but they are often actually roomier than smaller SUVs, get better mileage and ride, accelerate and handle like cars instead of trucks. You could get a good used Mercedes E-class wagon (or Audi A6 or BMW 5 series wagon, if you can find one) with four wheel drive for about the price of a minivan. I really can't think of any American or Japanese brands that build a mid size or larger station wagon anymore, so you'd be stuck with the Germans. I know I am in the minority with this opinion, but I have never understood the attraction of big, heavy, poor-handling, gas-guzzling and surprisingly cramped SUVs. And don't worry about ground clearance on the paved roads of SE Michigan; it almost never snows that much at one time. Other than that, in terms of utility and space I don't think you'd go wrong with a minivan. Finally, if it is a newer vehicle with traction control and/or stability control, a front wheel drive vehicle is usually sufficient.

[*Danielle*]

We just got rid of our Explorer and got a new minivan...We have 2 kids and plan to have more. It is great in the snow. I have had no problems at all...Plus it costs much less to fill with fuel. And most importantly it is much better for the environment.

[Bluefly]

About 5 million people live in metro Detroit. Very few have 4WD.

It's a city. You'll be fine 99% of the time.

[Mkach]

I have a minivan and when its time to get another vehicle it will be another minivan. Never had a problem with it in the snow

[Coldjensens]

I was glad to have 4wd coming home from Jackson on Saturday. It was not a huge difference, the 4wd vehicles were going about 50 m.p.h. and the 2wd vehicles were going about 20-30 on the 94 freeway. 4wd will hold the road a little bit better in snowy conditions and almost never get stuck, but they do not stop any better than 2wd on ice or snow and a lot of people seem to forget that. My wifes 2wd van has gotten stuck only in our driveway or front yard, never on on the road.

I did see two minivans spin out on the freeway, but I think that was just bad driving rather than anything related to the type of vehicle.

[Cato the Elder]

If you like them, go with the crossover or small SUV. Mini-vans have some nice amenities (mainly the ease of getting in and out with the sliding doors and the comfort of driving cross-country), but people seem to forget: 1) they're freaking expensive as H$%& - $35k+ and 2) they are gas hogs and 3) they are a pain to drive for day-to-day stuff, regardless of laser pointers and sensor warnings that then drive up the price further. We bought a crossover for these reasons. We don't cross-country drive often enough and when we do our current car is comfortable enough. Good cars are the Ford Edge, Toyota Highlander, Subaru Forester, etc. As long as it's solidly built and has some clearance, you should be fine 99% of the time, snow or no snow.

[dakwilk]

Oh, thanks for the advice. I assume people are really big on GM cars out there. Is there a stigma if you have a foreign car?

[Cato the Elder]

Originally Posted by dakwilk

Oh, thanks for the advice. I assume people are really big on GM cars out there. Is there a stigma if you have a foreign car?

Depends on which circles you run in. We have a family friend whose husband works for Chrysler. If he drives his Chevy to work, he has to park in a far lot. I imagine all the Big 3 work the same - it is what it is.

Where do you plan on living. In most towns you should be fine. I probably wouldn't drive a Japanese car living in places like Flint and other Big 3 strongholds...