is 4x4/awd necessary for rapid city or is traction control enough? (Lead: real estate, living)

[sager9800]

Hello. I'll be moving to rapid city from Indiana soon, and I was wondering what vehicle is necessary.

I currently have a 2002 Camry (front wheel drive) WITHOUT traction control or anything like that.

I was thinking about getting another FWD sedan with tractional control/vehicle stability control.

Or I was considering getting a small SUV crossover with all wheel drive (Rav4, CRV)

I want to stay around $25,000

I will be living within the city limits, and plan to do daily light driving.

Is a sedan enough for most people, or will I be regret not getting an all wheel drive small SUV?

Since I'm from the midwest, I'm accustomed to driving with mild-moderate amounts of snow with my current vehicle as long as I drive "defensively" and conservatively.

[DannyBanany]

You'll be fine in your Camry. I get around town perfectly in an Accord. I think the snowfall amounts in Indiana are relatively similar to the ones here here so you're pretty much looking at the same ball game. We do get blizzards from time to time but then the whole city is closed and plows are out clearing the streets.

[GraniteStater]

Originally Posted by sager9800

Hello. I'll be moving to rapid city from Indiana soon, and I was wondering what vehicle is necessary.

I currently have a 2002 Camry (front wheel drive) WITHOUT traction control or anything like that.

I was thinking about getting another FWD sedan with tractional control/vehicle stability control.

Or I was considering getting a small SUV crossover with all wheel drive (Rav4, CRV)

I want to stay around $25,000

I will be living within the city limits, and plan to do daily light driving.

Is a sedan enough for most people, or will I be regret not getting an all wheel drive small SUV?

Since I'm from the midwest, I'm accustomed to driving with mild-moderate amounts of snow with my current vehicle as long as I drive "defensively" and conservatively.

I live in the snowbelt, and our area has gotten 210 inches of snow the past two winters. If your primary driving revolves around in town driving you should be fine with a FWD vehicle. However, if you want to live out in the country on a Class IV- ClassVI road getting around might be difficult with a FWD car. I live in the country and have an AWD Subaru, and that is the best car for driving in snow and sloppy weather that I have ever driven.

[BusySocialWorker]

honestly you will probably be just fine with the car you have.

[sager9800]

thanks for the info. out of curiosity, are hybrid cars common in rapid city?

the batteries that hybrids rely on don't do that well in cold weather, but i'm wondering if people are still going for them.

my nightmare would be if i had a hybrid, the batteries would be useless to the point where my morning commute would be just like a non-hybrid car because the batteries are too cold to help out.

[BusySocialWorker]

I think E-85 flex fuel is more common they batterie hybrids - I don't know of anyone with a bybrid myself - but maybe I just don't know

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by BusySocialWorker

I think E-85 flex fuel is more common they batterie hybrids - I don't know of anyone with a bybrid myself - but maybe I just don't know

Are there E-85 flex fuel gas stations in and around Rapid City?

[BusySocialWorker]

There are two that I know of in Rapid - one East side and one West side - now that gas is cheaper, gas is less expensive then E85 though!

[eric#1]

If your the type that doesn't like to leave when storms hit, basic front wheel drive should work almost all the time. My wife has an awd Subaru, and will never go back to a vehicle without it. I sell real estate, and there is no way I could survive without awd or 4wd. I lived the area my whole life, and got by without awd until I move to Lead!

[DannyBanany]

I've seen a fair share of Prius' around Rapid City. They seem to do well in the winter too. Keep in mind that when it snows in Rapid City the streets are cleared and it get so warm within a couple days that most of the snow melts. Also, salt and chemicals are put on the streets so they are relatively dry about 24 hours after a heavy snowfall.

You won't be out battling snowdrifts and sheet ice by any means!