Does Honda Fit "fit" our snow and ice climate? (Bloomington: home, buy)

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by golfgal

Tell that to the AWD/4WD trucks/SUV's that I saw in the ditches yesterday traveling for work....the sedans were doing just fine....

There you have it! Sedans don't land in the ditch. Only AWD/4WD trucks/ and SUV's. While we are stretching it, let's say the smaller the better (and safer too). Meanwhile, I'm going to be counter intuitive(according to GG's observations) and drive an AWD with side airbags with a plethora of clearance and some great year-round tread patterns.

Note: I realize that once a car gets going the playing field levels. But ground clearance can matter. Starting from a dead stop matters a lot to me. Safely wise, I've gotten out of the way of people who were going to slide into me. With one rear tire spinning, many rear-wheel drives also can take you off course with an unexpected fish tail as it suddenly grips a surface around a bend.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Check out this supercar in the snow as it is tested in the arctic circle on a snow racetrack. This 208 MPH Ferrari has some advanced AWD technology that works. You cannot put every AWD car in the same bucket Some do much better in snow than others for stopping, starting, and cornering


Video: Ferrari's 208mph supercar in the snow - Telegraph

[golfgal]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

There you have it! Sedans don't land in the ditch. Only AWD/4WD trucks/ and SUV's. While we are stretching it, let's say the smaller the better (and safer too). Meanwhile, I'm going to be counter intuitive(according to GG's observations) and drive an AWD with side airbags with a plethora of clearance and some great year-round tread patterns.

Note: I realize that once a car gets going the playing field levels. But ground clearance can matter. Starting from a dead stop matters a lot to me. Safely wise, I've gotten out of the way of people who were going to slide into me. With one rear tire spinning, many rear-wheel drives also can take you off course with an unexpected fish tail as it suddenly grips a surface around a bend.

I have plenty of ground clearance in my sedan...and side air bags....and the 38 mpg highway thanks

Our truck is horrible in winter conditions--but it's RWD. My sedan has traction control and is FWD...

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by golfgal

I have plenty of ground clearance in my sedan...and side air bags....and the 38 mpg highway thanks

Our truck is horrible in winter conditions--but it's RWD. My sedan has traction control and is FWD...

Realize that people who drive RWD trucks are going to call your bluff. After all, they have no problems what-so-ever getting around. They have been driving their rear-wheel truck for years without a problem. They are imagining they are on equal footing as you. Pun intended. But you know better. Same here. I know better. My AWD is to the next level than your car in the snow. I drove a bunch of AWD's in the snow before I bought.

With the laws of physics on my side, your airbags are going to have to work harder. My clearance is going to help me in the event of a crash with a car that gets 38 MPG. Your happy. I'm happy. And the guy with the rear wheel drive doing sh_itties when he takes a corner is also happy.

[QuietBlue]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

Realize that people who drive RWD trucks are going to call your bluff. After all, they have no problems what-so-ever getting around. They have been driving their rear-wheel truck for years without a problem.

Yeah, a vehicle with which you're comfortable and know it's capabilities and limitations is going to be the best vehicle for you in bad weather, regardless of what it is.

[rzzz]

Nobody driving a RWD truck is going to say it's great in the snow and ice.

[Globe199]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

I had a rear-wheel drive Mustang GT with 225 wide tires. I could not clime a 10 degree incline in packed snow. But there is your "proof" that a Mustang GT is going to work fine here too (because they are on the road).

You're arguing apples and oranges. Of course your RWD Mustang was crap in the snow. I doubt you could climb a 1-degree incline with that thing. (Those cars are generally NOT on the road during snowstorms. I too once had the pleasure of pushing a Mustang thru snow, about two miles in fact, it was so helpless).

Mean while, I will drive my all wheel drive in the winter when the snow flies. I will walk all over the snow in complete confidence and "win" if I get into an accident with you. I'll pay more at the pump and sleep better at night knowing I don't have to white knuckle drive. If you feel comfortable, good for you.

All I know is, I've never driven anything BUT FWD sedans and I've only ever been stuck once that I can recall. I was 16 and I deliberately drove into a snowbank because I was screwing around.

Don't white-knuckle it? Fine. But I suspect the reason a lot of SUVs wind up in the ditch is because their drivers were over-confident. 4x4 or AWD does nothing for you on ice anyway.

[icicles]

Alright, to conclude, what is more important than AWD/FWD/RWD is the person's skills behind the wheel. The problem is other people who have less skill can hit you on the road. This is common in poor weather conditions. Some people feel safer having AWD even though it is not safer. and some people feel safer in huge SUV's which are more difficult to stop and have poorer MPG's.

It is not a necessity to have AWD/4WD in minnesota as evidenced by how many people own RWD/FWD cars and drive them in the winter.

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by rzzz

Nobody driving a RWD truck is going to say it's great in the snow and ice.

Google it. People say that they toss in some sandbags to add weight over the rear tires and they are loving life. They brag how well they go though snow.

[rzzz]

I used to drive a RWD truck. They are the worst in winter. I've read plenty of car nonsense on this thread. I don't think I need to google for more.