Vehicles needed for TN? (sales, how much, home) - Knoxville - Tennessee - City-Data Forum

jimj · 07-09-2007, 08:39 AM

This may sound stupid but believe me there are reasons for this question.
I was wondering if a 4 wheel drive is needed or even good to have there. Currently we have all wheel drive with studs for winter but I am thinking of replacing it with a truck and can buy here with no sales tax. I have heard that studs are not allowed in TN (a pity) but if there are ice storms,snow etc I do not want to be one of the people who either have to stay home or slide off the road when the first flakes fall.
Then there is the question of diesel or gas? Got rid of a diesel a couple of years ago here because it was more expensive than gas, is that the case there?
Thanks for tolerating my ignorence on some of these subjects.

TedTLPN · 07-09-2007, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimj

This may sound stupid but believe me there are reasons for this question.
I was wondering if a 4 wheel drive is needed or even good to have there. Currently we have all wheel drive with studs for winter but I am thinking of replacing it with a truck and can buy here with no sales tax. I have heard that studs are not allowed in TN (a pity) but if there are ice storms,snow etc I do not want to be one of the people who either have to stay home or slide off the road when the first flakes fall.
Then there is the question of diesel or gas? Got rid of a diesel a couple of years ago here because it was more expensive than gas, is that the case there?
Thanks for tolerating my ignorence on some of these subjects.

Ok, first and foremost I have not LIVED through a winter here.... YET. That being said I'll bring my experience from visiting here in the winter and parlay that with my 3.5 years of temporary insanity in Chicago to bring some perspective.

From what I can tell it doesn't snow here much, and even if it does, it rarely stays on the ground. Now that being said, I know that 4 wheel drive (without studs) is very convienant for when you have an inch or two on the road. I can't imagine that it gets that bad here at all.

Now keep in mind one of the reasons I left Chicago was one morning when there was about 1.5" of slush and 'everybody else' was sharing the center lane of a 5 lane road. I used the right hand lane in my front wheel drive 4 cyclinder Toyota Corolla and was leaving behind $40,000 4WD SUVs thinking of what a waste of money it was.

Now it's not to say a Truck with 4 wheel drive is useless around here (VERY FAR from it). But you just dont need it because of the snow.

JMT · 07-09-2007, 11:56 AM

I have a four-wheel drive Jeep, and it has definitely come in handy. While it may not snow very much here, we do get the occasional ice storm or frozen rain (I guess it's the same thing) which is infinitely more dangerous than snow. In addition, when we have the occasional flooding, a four-wheel drive is also good to have.

Diesel here is currently a little cheaper than gasoline, although a couple of months ago it was a little more expensive. At the Weigel's near my house, 87 octane unleaded is going for $2.74 and Diesel is going for $2.61.

jimj · 07-09-2007, 02:06 PM

Ok, that tears it!!! Diesel here is $3+ a gallon and $2.99 for gas. Where we live now you can get by without 4 wheel, many do but some end up in ditches as well. At least here you can stud a 2 wheel and get by if you are careful. Since you do get the occasional freezing rain and ice storms and I am guessing most people there (not all but how much snow does FL get?) have no clue on how to drive in it I guess it would be helpful to at least be able to pull out of their way or pull them out... Well, the up side is if I get it before we leave I pay no sales tax so that should save a few thousand. Thank you

JMT · 07-09-2007, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimj

Ok, that tears it!!! Diesel here is $3+ a gallon and $2.99 for gas. Where we live now you can get by without 4 wheel, many do but some end up in ditches as well. At least here you can stud a 2 wheel and get by if you are careful. Since you do get the occasional freezing rain and ice storms and I am guessing most people there (not all but how much snow does FL get?) have no clue on how to drive in it I guess it would be helpful to at least be able to pull out of their way or pull them out... Well, the up side is if I get it before we leave I pay no sales tax so that should save a few thousand. Thank you

Actually, as I recall, if you purchase a vehicle within a year before moving to Tennessee, you still have to pay the sales tax when you get to Tennessee and apply for your state license plate. I think it's a year. Maybe 6 months, I can't remember. Sorry about that.

jimj · 07-09-2007, 02:19 PM

I will have to check on that, if that is the case I can always leave it registered here for a time I guess.

hiknapster · 07-09-2007, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TedTAce

From what I can tell it doesn't snow here much, and even if it does, it rarely stays on the ground.

That is exactly right.

And if you are from up north, you will think that it is nothing. Also, bear in mind, that if there is a dusting of snow, everyone goes nuts. They put it up on the television screen like a hurricane is approaching!

They may even call of your work and will definitely call off school.

Now, I whine every time it snows, because, even though I lived in Massachusetts for 34 years, I can't drive in the snow. I'm a big wuss. But it really is nothing. I haven't seen an ice storm, but I have only been here for two winters.

I do like driving a stick here, though. It makes it easy going up and down hills and mountains. It's more fun, too.

TedTLPN · 07-10-2007, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I do like driving a stick here, though. It makes it easy going up and down hills and mountains. It's more fun, too.

I hate to hijack this thread, but I have to say, driving stick IS driving period. It disgusts me that I have to have an automatic for 'family reasons'. As soon as I can, I'm going back to a two seat M/T. Too bad there is a 'guy' selling a 1984 300 ZX with almost 200K, lots of dings, a few DENTS, and some rust for the outlandish price of 3,800. I need to find something more reasonable..

jimj · 07-10-2007, 06:50 AM

I worked 15 years driving trucks before switching to computers and I can say I'm so over the shifting thing. The only way I want a stick is if it is in a hotrod like a '67 camero or 70 mach one mustang or something....

hiknapster · 07-10-2007, 07:19 AM

I'll get in the Camaro line behind Jim!