Advice on vehicles.... (Nashua, Derry, Littleton: transfer, buying, school)

[Cindy, CA]

Hi all,
First of all Happy New year to Everyone!!!! Hope it is a great year for all.

At some time in the future we will need to replace one of our cars. Since we hope to move to NH in 2012, we would like to get something that not only fits our current needs but also plan ahead.

We don't currently have snow and general winter weather to contend with now as we live in So Cal. Also we have 4 young children so safety and room are concerns for us. Should we be looking for any special features on a car that we wouldn't think of now? Can things like remote starter and engine heaters be added on later to a car or is it better to have them when the vehicle is manufactured?

We will be looking for a low mileage used car. Any suggestions on types/models? We currently have a Toyota Sienna(mini van) and need another car that will fit us all. Do minivans do well in the winter months? I don't know- maybe it is just a matter of getting some great snow tires? Should we wait and buy a vehicle there as they probably sell them there with all the right gadgets? HELP- I am clueless

Thanks in advance for all your insight and advice. All is greatly appreciated.

[notdancingqueen]

Awesome topic - can't wait to see he replies. We are soon in the market for at last one but maybe (blech) two cars and have similar considerations.

FWIW, we have front wheel drive cars at the moment and they are doing just fine with good snow tires. Still, I think we want at least one AWD vehicle.

Things that have occurred to us... some/many towns don't have trash service - you take your trash and recycling to a transfer station (or pay someone to do it for you). Unless you want trash in your car you need a trailer...and a car with a hitch than can haul it. Doesn't have to be a truck but the car would need to be able to tow some amount of weight. Or you need a pick-up truck, etc. So far we are leaning toward the trailer route and not a pick-up truck.

If I want to be able to take my family plus one friend for each kid I need a car that seats at least 6 people...we much prefer an SUV or crossover vehicle to a minivan so based on word of mouth and motor trend magazine reviews and consumer reports, we are considering low-mileage honda pilots, the extended jeep wrangler, and the ford flex.

Eventually I think we want to wind up with one people hauler/utility vehicle and one relatively fuel efficient car (though that is somewhat contradictory to AWD -- not impossible to find but not all that common either.)

Reps to you for starting a great thread!

[OCCASparky]

Small 4WD like a Jeep or Ford Escape would work, but I'd get the tow package installed, so when you want to haul stuff it's a minimum of hassle. Also with 4WD you would minimize need to get snow tires.

However, if you're not moving here until 2012, wait a couple of years.

[schizuki]

Forget 4WD. One thing you'll notice up here is that almost all of the cars you'll see in ditches during winter are SUVs. 4WD is good only for deep snow - if it's that deep, you shouldn't be going anywhere anyway. The roads get plowed fairly quickly.

You want traction on packed snow, ice and slush. A good set of snow tires on a front-wheel-drive car will serve you just fine. My Scion xA with Bridgestone Blizzaks has been unstoppable and firmly planted, even in unplowed snow. If your car has traction control, all the better.

The other important thing is to go out to a big, empty parking lot with snow on it, and practice. Hit the brakes hard, try to spin 'er, etc. You'll get your "snow legs".

[GregW]

I currently have a 1992 Buick Roadmaster Wagon. It has very used all season tires. It is a real handful in the snow. I also have a 1996 Subaru AWD wagon. This has four new snow tires (Coopers) and is the best snow car I have ever driven. It also has a factory light duty trailer hitch and wiring installed.

Wait until you get here and buy a 3 to 5 year old Subie. A big front wheel drive “mommy box” will do for all the rest. When winter arrives put FOUR snow tires on this as well. I have the snow tires mounted on steel rims I picked up in a recycle (Webbers in Derry) yard and repainted. I get my tires at Maynard & Lesseiur in Nashua.

I completely agree and highly recommend schizuki's advice about using an empty parking lot for slippery driving practice. For real instruction in hazardous conditions Google Tim O'Neil Driving and Rally school in Dalton, NH (just uphill of Littleton). Considering your driving experience is completely warm weather I highly suggest this school.

[fishnfool]

If it's really that big of a concern get an All wheel drive car....not a 4x4. I have a 4x4 truck and use it only in VERY bad weather to get up a steep hill or bust through a snow bank. I only bought the 4x4 for trailer/boat hauling on icy ramps...where it's truly needed. True 4x4 is not meant for every day driving on packed snow or slushy/icy roads. If you drive on 4x4 often without sufficient slippage you can and will ruin it. In the few instances where I've had to use my 4x4 for actual driving its mostly due to the rear-wheel drive/light back end factor.....in those cases a plain old front wheel drive car would do just as well.


All wheel drive however is meant for the conditions you're likely to encounter. Honestly, any front wheel drive car will work in 98% of the weather you'll find here and it's much cheaper than an all wheel drive car. People overreact to snow and think they need a tank to drive in it because they are used to the old rear wheel drive cars in the '70s. My wife's front wheel drive coupe handles better than my truck in most circumstances.No matter what drive train you have, it won't help with stopping or high speed/sharp turns.....which is what causes more accidents in the snow.

[Oo-v-oO]

I'll second (or third) the idea of getting a Subaru wagon and a light utility trailer for hauling... stuff. I might suggest buying one in CA and driving it here because the road salt they use in abundance around here really does a number on the car bodies. Most cars are junked because of corrosion, not because the running gear is worn out.

No matter what you get, be sure to get a set of dedicated SNOW tires, preferrably mounted on a spare set of rims. That will make it a simple job to switch between the winter and summer tires at the beginning and end of winter. Make sure they have the "snowflake-on-a-mountain" emblem and do not kid yourself into thinking that all-season tires are going to do well in the snow.

[GregW]

Good suggestion about bringing a Cali car to NH. Get it undercoated when you get here.

[Cindy, CA]

I knew you would all have some great advice-Thanks so much!!!

[seamusnh]

I have a 2000 Sienna that does well in the snow. We have snow tires. Also have a Subaru Forrester that is great in the snow. With kids it is best to have a third seat so it is a minivan (Sienna has an AWD model) or an SUV. I like the Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander....