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I'm in California where we get virtually no rain nor snow. The only other push for AWD (all wheel drive) would be if you drive up mountains and/or unpaved roads, which I've never done, nor plan to do. As such, I'm told that many in CA can get away with just FWD (front wheel drive) to save some money.
However, I'm also told AWD still helps with general control and handling. I'm willing to take a slight hit to my fuel economy, and there's always a chance I'll move back to a region where I will need to deal with rain and snow again.
Your thoughts?
a slight rain in Calif. has all the freeway petroleum "stuff" coming to the surface, slip and slide. AWD is the sixties "full time" 4wd. A lot of people didn't need it, but the tech is getting to the point like standard where vehicles are going to come with it anyway.
My old Windstar van has this "trac" feature I didn't even know it had until I hit a patch of muck and it kicked in! A pleasant surprise, once I had figured out the noise wasn't my tranny falling apart.
I'm in California where we get virtually no rain nor snow. The only other push for AWD (all wheel drive) would be if you drive up mountains and/or unpaved roads, which I've never done, nor plan to do. As such, I'm told that many in CA can get away with just FWD (front wheel drive) to save some money.
However, I'm also told AWD still helps with general control and handling. I'm willing to take a slight hit to my fuel economy, and there's always a chance I'll move back to a region where I will need to deal with rain and snow again.
No, AWD is useless in dry climates and climates with little to no snow. I live in Alabama and we get very little snow. When we do, everything shuts down because the snow melts and then turns to a solid sheet of ice at night. The next day there will be Subaru's with out of state tags in the ditches. lol
Quote:
Originally Posted by dijkstra
Well yes of course but we all stay home because we know better than to try to drive on it. My point was that AWD cars are useless here because most every time it does actually snow, which is not very often; the snow usually melts and turns to ice overnight. The only people that try to drive on it are those that have moved here recently from up North and they quite often drive AWD subarus and they put them in the ditch. They make fun of us because everything closes when it only snows a half inch until they themselves try to drive on it.
In both posts, you say the same thing:
1) it rarely snows, and
2) the snow melts during the day and turns into ice overnight.
Your second point is not a revelation because snow melting during the day and freezing at night is a common occurrence, when it snows in many areas.
The point is those who have AWD tend to have an easier time driving in the snow than those who have either FWD or RWD, which is not useless, contrary to your opinion.
Additionally, AWD also provides more control and safer driving on ice than FWD or RWD, especially with winter-rated tires.
As a final note, AWD still provides better handling and control, even on dry pavement, than FWD or RWD, hands down.
Thats why I lease don't have to worry about repairs all covered under warranty. Since I drive under 12,000 miles a year anyway alls good with leasing and I get a new vehicle every 3 years.And I'm not worried about mpg. Leasing is great for retired people if I want to travel I will fly and rent a car when I get there.
I’m too thrifty to lease (don’t want a constant car payment) and I don’t like some mileage/condition requirements hanging over my head.
Yep, that's the mantra of every Yankee that ever moved to the south: "these people shut everything down, they can't drive in snow, yada yada yada" till as you said they realize that it's not soft fluffy snow, it's a half inch of ice with a coating of water on top, and no municipality is going to invest millions of dollars in salt and salt trucks for something that happens every two years.
And even those that may think they have special “skills†can’t control the other thousands of people driving who might slide into them. How many times do you hear people saying I was ok until someone couldn’t stop and slid into me.
I've noticed some, but can't say either way. It's possible I missed many of the Audis and Subarus here since I'm not as familiar with their logos, and I tend to notice a Toyota more since that's my current vehicle.
It's been so long since I've owned a fwd vehicle that I totally forgot the best reason to own awd in a warm climate - torque steer - it makes driving a crossover feel like you're driving a minivan (I test drove one recently). I know it's a first world problem, but this is reason alone for me to pay the 1 mpg extra for awd.
Interesting thread. Especially as I am considering this for a potential upcoming purchase. While I want good mileage and lower maintenance costs, I want control when I need it.
I drive a FWD car now and am planning to get an AWD CUV/SUV. I've had 2 4WDs in the past, both with switchable 4WD/2WD.
As I did with my earlier 4WDs, I want a vehicle I can take on the beach and not get stuck there.
As I posted in another thread, among my leading considerations are Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, possibly a Subaru.
Interesting thread. Especially as I am considering this for a potential upcoming purchase. While I want good mileage and lower maintenance costs, I want control when I need it.
I drive a FWD car now and am planning to get an AWD CUV/SUV. I've had 2 4WDs in the past, both with switchable 4WD/2WD.
As I did with my earlier 4WDs, I want a vehicle I can take on the beach and not get stuck there.
As I posted in another thread, among my leading considerations are Ford Edge, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, possibly a Subaru.
Don't know if you are looking to buy new or used, but I drive a 2010 Edge awd Limited and can tell you it's an incredibly smooth ride, great power and very comfy vehicle. I avg 21 mpg which isn't bad at all considering the size/weight, features and great power. The 6 speed transmission is a big part of it, the engine runs at like 1500 rpm at 60 mph.
I'm in California where we get virtually no rain nor snow. The only other push for AWD (all wheel drive) would be if you drive up mountains and/or unpaved roads, which I've never done, nor plan to do. As such, I'm told that many in CA can get away with just FWD (front wheel drive) to save some money.
However, I'm also told AWD still helps with general control and handling. I'm willing to take a slight hit to my fuel economy, and there's always a chance I'll move back to a region where I will need to deal with rain and snow again.
Your thoughts?
I would not purchase an AWD in CA if I wasn't planning on frequent mountain trips, traveling to snowy states, or moving to another state. FWD does just fine.
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