Should I bring my PRIUS to Westchester County?

[bmwguydc]

I would keep the Prius, but check your tires. SoCal driving conditions generally have different tires than what one would use in NYC metro in the winter. If you have a good all-season tire, that should go a long way to making you feel safe on the road, but for extra piece of mind you might invest in a set of rims and snow tires that you can have put on at the local garage for the winter. Given the size of tires used on the Prius, you could get some good snow tires for under $100/tire and rims might be a little over $100/each. I'd also get bags to properly store your tires when not in use, but overall, it should not be too expensive a proposition, well under $1000, especially if you order online from some of the distributors.

Rust is not as big a factor as it once was as others have pointed out with modern coatings and paint sealants that are applied at the factory. The lack of a garage is not a real concern at all, just that you'll need to get a good telescoping snow broom with soft edges so as not to scratch your paint when you remove the snow from the car. You can also get a blanket-like device for the front and rear windows to easily remove snow/ice. There are some that just fasten in the door jam when you close the door, not requiring cumbersome velcro, etc., which makes them easy to use.

I'd be one to count in the "Yes" column for keeping the Prius, since my friends who have them really do like them for a host of reasons.

[Meglion]

I've had my Prius since 2005, and I've gone through some pretty intense winters (I currently live in Warwick, NY). I ADORE this car and wouldn't trade it for anything else, but it does show its few weaknesses come wintertime. Two things for your consideration: I bought Nokian tires with studs on them, and it made my car infinitely more stable on snowy patches. The second is that, the one time I left my car outside on a really cold day in Southport, CT, I had to get the battery jumped. I don't know whether this was directly related to the cold, but I've garaged it every day since then and never had a problem. Lots of folks leave their Priuses out and I think Weschester weather might be a bit milder than Warwick or Southport, but I wanted to give full disclosure. And I would still give a rousing yes to the question of whether or not to bring your Prius eastward. Good luck!

[ponytrekker]

Originally Posted by cali_to_nj

My concerns are: A) safety driving in extreme weather conditions; and B) space for the additional stuff that weather requires, for us as well as the house. The particular street and driveway we will be on are not hilly, but we really have zero practice driving in ice/snow other than occasional mountain ski trips.

Thanks!

Two words: Snow tires.

Originally Posted by cali_to_nj

Would really like to hear from fellow Prius owners about their experience with NY driving...

Thanks!

Westchester County will be the closest you ever get anywhere on the east coast to the civilized driving conditions of the left coast.

[Syngar99]

just please! do not be one of those drivers that ANY inclement weather makes them drive 20 miles per hour!

i;ve noticed a lot of them are prius owners