4x4 useful in SLC area? (home, neighborhoods, camping)

[thebiggiantkevin]

Hi all,
It looks like my wife and I will be moving to the SLC area. It sounds like a great place and were excited! My wife is looking for a new car and we need to know if a 4 wheel drive would be helpful in SLC. I think she'll be driving around town 90% of the time, but we also like to get out of town and do some hiking, camping, etc. It may be a dumb question, but we live in Florida - no snow or mountains here :-/
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Kevin :-)

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Oh yeeah, either 4 whell or AWD is nesessary in the winter. We do occasionally get ice under snow. I wouldn't drive in town, much less out of town, without it. After my 1st winter here (from Miss.), I sold my car and got one with AWD.

[lolagranola]

We used to joke about that being how they kept the riff-raff out of the high-scale (read-snobby) neighborhoods, you needed a new-er car with 4 wheel drive.

[coolcats]

I would say "useful" but not necessary, except if you live in a really hilly or mountainous area. I myself have to climb a decent hill (600 feet) to and from work and have managed with only front wheel drive.

[newtoutah]

I went and bought one..im petrified of snow..lol

[kaytidid]

They are always helpful, but not necessary.

Keep in mind that when we do get ice, 4 wheel drive or not, you are going to slip and slide unless you are driving defensively.

If you like to ski, then there are many times that the roads to the canyons will be closed to any vehicles that don't have chains or 4 wheel drive.

[VC dreamer]

In the winter, 4WD is a must. All my vehicles are, and if there's snow on the ground, I put my Jeep in 4WD before I even back out of the driveway.

The busier downtown areas are usuall maintained pretty well, by the snowplows, but some of the more outer lying areas, may not be. I know my neighborhood streets aren't.

[VC dreamer]

Originally Posted by newtoutah

I went and bought one..im petrified of snow..lol

Don't be. Snow and ice can be tricky, but if you're careful, you should be fine. It seems to me that you're a pretty careful driver already, but if you'd like, the first good snowfall, I'll come over, and help you out.

When it snows, I can't stand to be inside, so I'm always looking for a reason to get out and drive, lol......

[newtoutah]

okie..come get me please..ill be stocking up on milk and tp as soon as i hear snow is coming..lol...we got snow back home but the state basically closed down

[thebiggiantkevin]

Thanks everyone for the very helpful advice. We really do appreciate it! I think we'll go ahead and get an all wheel drive :-)