[tucsonazmom]

My family is moving to VT in May. We have 3 elem. age kids and I currently drive a Toyota Prius for running around and a Dodge Durango for hauling kids, camping and trips. The Durango is 2 wheel drive (RWD) and I'm thinking about selling it and buying a 4wd vehicle. Two questions, first, will I need 4wd during winter and would an AZ vehicle appreciate in value on the pre-owned market in VT (no rust)? I am debating between driving it to VT then selling it there or purchasing a new or pre-owned car here.

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by tucsonazmom

My family is moving to VT in May. We have 3 elem. age kids and I currently drive a Toyota Prius for running around and a Dodge Durango for hauling kids, camping and trips. The Durango is 2 wheel drive (RWD) and I'm thinking about selling it and buying a 4wd vehicle. Two questions, first, will I need 4wd during winter and would an AZ vehicle appreciate in value on the pre-owned market in VT (no rust)? I am debating between driving it to VT then selling it there or purchasing a new or pre-owned car here.

Where in Vermont will you be moving? Will you be in a sizable town or out in the country? Big difference between, say, Burlington and Jeffersonville.

I've lived in New Hampshire and Vermont, including very rural areas (though not up in the mountains) for about 22 years. At times, I commuted over 80 miles each way twice a week, including in winter. I have NEVER had a 4WD or AWD car and never needed one. I've always had a reliable front-wheel drive car and bought really good snow tires, which I have put on every winter without fail. My current care is an '06 Honda Civic and it handles very well in snow and ice.

I moved up here in 1988 from Miami and the driving has been fine. Occasionally the roads are hazardous enough to warrant not driving when possible, but that's pretty rare.

I see lots of Priuses and Durangos around here. If it were me, I'd ditch the RWD. But my husband drove his RWD van up here for years and years without a problem. I never could handle that thing in the snow and was glad when he, too, got an FWD car. But then I am a Floridian.

[LisaMc46]

I'd definately go wtih 4-wheel or all-wheel drive. You can't go wrong with a Subaru wagon, imo. That will be my next car.

I live on a dirt road and my driveway is steep and unpaved. I've never had a problem navigating it in our Honda CRV. However, I've gotten stuck (when there's snow) numerous times in my Honda Odyssey minvan.

I also travel a lot for work and feel more confident with 4-wheel drive. It will get you anyway, especially when you're in more rural areas and especially during mud season.

That being said, having good snow tires makes a world of difference. I had new studded snow tires put on the minivan this winter and it's performed much better (although this was the mildest, least snowy winter I can remember). Sherylcat is right: You really need to invest in good winter tires, especially if you have rear-wheel drive.

[Logs and Dogs]

I would say tire choice is the most important..........

We have an older Tundra and Outback so I can speak to a heavy RWD vehicle, but up in the hills/mountains I find myself in 4WD often, and I would say mud season is more slippery than snow...........

[tkln]

It definitely depends on where you are moving to, and where you will be driving to...I think FWD and good snow tires is fine for a lot of areas, but if you have a steep driveway, then AWD will probably make your life easier. And I too have found that mud season is sometimes more slippery than snow...

[Sherylcatmom]

Originally Posted by tkln

And I too have found that mud season is sometimes more slippery than snow...

Me, too! Back when my Jetta and I were commuting 80 miles each way in all kinds of weather, I lived 2 miles down a rutted dirt road. The only time I had to have the car towed was when I went hauling up my dirt-hill driveway and made almost it to the top -- and my car slid off the hill sideways into the woods. No damage done except to my ego.

Which brings me to one more automotive part I wouldn't be without: a great towing service.

[j_jimerino]

It kind of depends on where you live...but my opinion is that aside from challenging driveways (which are pretty common around here) FWD with good snow tires will serve you fine. All cars are 4 wheel brake, and that is the most important thing. If the roads are so bad you can't even get going with a FWD car then something is really wrong and you should probably just stay put. I suppose sometimes they can get icy and make hills a challenge, but that's why I've got studs!

While the no rust thing generally would be a plus selling a vehicle around here, I just don't think in Vermont there is much demand for a RWD Dodge Durango. In my mind, when some one here says truck or SUV up here it is 4WD by default. That said, used car prices in general are pretty outrageous up here so who knows?

[Why_Am_I_Here]

I am still trying to grasp the fact you have a Prius and a Durango? Either way, as was said, 4WD is not needed. I drove a front wheel drive Cavalier for years. Get a good set of snow tires and you will have no problems.

[68vette]

You don't need four wheel drive or all wheel drive. Again, depending on your location, the Prius may not be a good car in the winter as well. It does not have good ground clearance. The tires are small and with a moderate snowstorm it may end up usless no matter how good your tires are. As I said it all depends on location and types of roads traveled. The Durango is the vehicle I would get rid of. Unless you know how to drive a rear wheel drive car in snow I would not recommend learning your first winter.
The answer to your other question about selling and getting more money for an Arizona car in Vermont. Yes and no. On paper the car is worth more without rust, but you will have a very hard time selling a two wheel drive Durango in Vermont. A co-worker moved here from Texas with a two wheel drive 4Runner and could not sell it after 4 months. She ended up trading it in at a dealership or should I say stealership. If money is an issue then invest in a reliable front wheel drive with great snow tires.