Quote:
Originally Posted by IShootNikon
Tires are the most important factor in winter driving
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Ain't that the truth. My old man never had 4WD or AWD in many (dozens) of cars 1950-2004 (his last), only snow tires. In WA DC, SE Michigan, and Connecticut. Mostly flat places, to be sure, but boy did snow tires work.
Twenty pages later: Old thread, but like OP I'm in Seattle area. We've determined it totally depends on where you live and what you like, or need, to do with the vehicle!
So for Seattle only:
As OP said, snow in Seattle (or as we say snow-mageddon) is rare, but usually causes havoc a lot like that ice storm in Atlanta in 2013 (I think). The latter was extreme. Seattle is a lot of hills, few plows, and people freak out, see his video of the Christmas storm of 2008 (two storms). I work from home most of those (rare) days. I don't think we freak out more, or less, than Atlantans: in a place where snow and ice is rare, being prepared is a questionable endeavor.
The moist roads, however...my fun car has AWD, that was the point. It is definitely wet, or "could" be wet, about 7 months/year in the PacNW. I drive it around somewhat aggressively and the AWD grabs up even in dodgy traction in wet weather. Also, it's fun in light snow (rear engine) and I've had it out various times in that. Heavy snow, I'm staying put. I grew up in Michigan and know about real snow, thus don't push my luck either.
Over-hyped? Everywhere, for sports cars, yep! ...though the Germans in-particular may take issue with that (BMW, Porsche, Audi come to mind). Subarus and a bit of forest trails here in Seattle, geez I dunno: here they are awesome for skiers, too, given great skiing is <60 miles away. I've taken my 2WD truck up some of those forestry trails he alluded to numerous times without trouble, also to
legally shoot on Forestry land, but never past November and seldom before March. I know where it can and cannot go, though: that's the real trick, know your vehicle's capability and your tires!
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