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Old 03-06-2009, 02:59 PM
 
Location: so. calif
17 posts, read 49,700 times
Reputation: 19

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Howdy!

I am heading to the dealer to buy a new car...mine finally called it quits. I need to know...Do I buy AWD, FWD, 4x4? We plan on living outside the city in Sno or Kitsap Counties. My husband already there and has a family car that did not make it an inch with chains.

Did anyone make it out and about in the major December 2008 storm? And if so, what were you driving?

We have both lived in the snow before however it was on salted road conditions. I feel that we need at least one car that can get out in case of an emergency.


Thanks for your help!
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Old 03-06-2009, 08:25 PM
 
1 posts, read 1,401 times
Reputation: 10
Default AWD vs 4x4

I've lived in Snoqualmie for the last 9 years and the last 3 have been surprisingly snowy. I grew up in Minnesota so driving in the snow doesn't scare me, but the fact that they don't use salt does require more caution out here. We've had a CR-V that is AWD the entire time we have been here and this year I traded my 12 year old civic for a subaru outback for the exact reasons you are considering AWD. IMO, 4X4 is a bigger hassle because you have to generally know ahead of time that you need the 4x4 - meaning you have to pull over and shift into 4x4. For me, the all time AWD is perfect. The wheels adjust when they sense any type of slipping from, rain, snow, sand, whatever. In my eyes, it's better than 4x4 because the AWD system does all the thinking for me. Of course, if you want to get out in a couple feet of mud, etc where you need real traction, then you want the 4x4, but that doesn't sound like what you want.

Note: my mom has a Rav 4 and while she loves it, it doesn't have all time AWD - she has to pull over and shift to 4x4 in the snow. Might not be the case for all of them, but just be sure to ask.
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Old 03-07-2009, 12:36 AM
 
506 posts, read 2,574,540 times
Reputation: 212
I drove and we own a couple of Audis so no problems in the snow. If you live further out maybe get something that rides higher with AWD or 4WD in case you have to drive over as well as through the snow. Too bad you only really need it for 2-4 weeks out of the year typically.
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Old 03-07-2009, 01:22 AM
 
Location: Duvall, WA
1,677 posts, read 6,853,040 times
Reputation: 644
I was driving in that storm in the Issaquah Highlands. We had chains on my Toyota Sienna. If we decide to stay in WA, we'll buy a 4WD car.

V. =)
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