Moving to Salt Lake City with my Jetta. Will I be safe driving it during winter? (Park City: for sale, how much)

[kgf88]

Hi everyone!

I am moving from SF East Bay in Ca to the Salt Lake City area for work relocation. I currently own an 01 Jetta and I love the space and gas mileage and much more so I really would love to keep it! (and moving is stressful enough, I really don't want to deal with the hassle of selling my car if I really don't have to) However, I understand that the winters are very severe there and it snows heavily so I was wondering if I could last a winter or two with this car and some cables until I purchase and AWD? Obviously if I have to make the sacrifice right away I have no other choice, but what are your opinions/experiences?

Please only respond if you are going to be helpful, I don't need smart remarks or rude comments.
I really appreciate your help in advance!

[TCAS007]

You will have absolutely no problems if you have good winter tires and are a patient driver.

[kgf88]

Thank you so much! It's so great to hear that! Thankfully I am patient - All I need are new tires

[irman]

Originally Posted by kgf88

I am moving from SF East Bay in Ca to the Salt Lake City area for work relocation.

When will you take the trip, and which route will you be taking ?
By going on I-80 going east, you*might* get a bit of snow or cold windy weather about halfway.

Get some good all-weather tires, if you need tires.
No need to buy winter rated tires -yet-,
but if you can afford it, invest in a good set of tire chains.
Gazillions of people here in Salt Lake City do NOT use winter tires !

If you have a Les Schwab in your area, then go there, and inquire about the deal they have for tire chains.
They have a deal where you can buy a set, but if you did not use them all winter long, you can return them in the spring when there is no more snow !
If you decide to do this, then make sure they show you how to install them, and have them check you, so that you do know how to do it !!!

By the way, the winters here are really not that *severe*, and when it snows, it is actually not that bad. !! Also, what do you mean with *some cables* ??? Your spare tire in good condition ?

Last but not least, do have a good check up on your car, change the oil and then just pack up and go.
If you encounter snow, then just slow down and keep going.
The Jetta was produced in a country that gets a lot more snow than you will see in Salt Lake City !!!

Have a great trip, try to make it a two day trip, and welcome to Utah !

[UTES]

One of my last cars was a TDI Jetta. It was outstanding in the snow.

Bill

[eggalegga]

I've seen Jettas around here. My niece used to have one, my co-worker's 24 year old son has one and another co-worker just bought one last week. Don't know how they are in the snow, but they are a fairly common car here in Salt Lake valley. I'm told they're front wheel drive so like others have stated, get good tires and drive cautiously until your get a feel for how to handle your car.

There are bad storms where snow plows can't keep up with the fallen snow. But as a native Utahn, I think they do a really good job keeping our roads cleared for the most part.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

After my front-wheel drive Honda Accord with all-weather tires and ABS skidded in snow/ice, I bought a Subaru with AWD. There's a good reason people joke that it's the "national car" of Utah.

[kavm]

Well - as we discussed on another thread, AWD does not help or hurt as far as breaking goes.

Back to the OP - Jetta will do just fine. I personally would recommend snow tires in the winters, as opposed to the all-weather tires. Now, they do help with breaking as well as traction. I do not know what standard width of tires is on Jetta - but you might want to narrower snow tires. You would not have problems. We have a VW Golf GTI - and it does quite well with snow tires on it, and we do live up on the East benches. The few times we have had issues, I have regretted not having narrower set of winter tires.

For your next car - indeed AWD and high clearance are desirable. Whether that is Subaru or another - that's up to you. But - unless you decide to live in some very challenging location (and there are some here) - there is definitely no need to change your car.

[nyllie]

I drive a Mazda3 in Park City, and have mostly been fine (except clearance if nothing has been plowed). I agree with Kavm's suggestion of snow tires - I was used to winter driving on all-season tires before moving here, but was so surprised at how much of a difference snow tires can make. It takes a lot of effort for me to even slide around just a little. If you're not experienced driving in the snow, they might give you a bit more confidence. Sometimes you can get good deals on slightly used snow tires on websites like KSL (if someone happens to have your exact size for sale), and I got mine pretty cheap at Walmart. It can at least hold you over for a bit until you buy a new car.

[irman]

Originally Posted by kavm

I personally would recommend snow tires in the winters,

Agree, but it is March now and she did not say exactly when she would be coming here, so she probably need good all weathers first.
Never say never, so I suggested to get a set of chains from Les Schwab !
For *Justin Case* - just for this trip !

I am more concerned about her statement about *needing cables* ???

Originally Posted by kgf88

a winter or two with this car and some cables

Originally Posted by kgf88

Thank you so much! It's so great to hear that! Thankfully I am patient - All I need are new tires

She did mention getting *new tires*, but getting winter tires for *this* trip ... ?

After this summer, then she can get an AWD plus winter tires !