[vter]

Originally Posted by GreenMachine

Okay, so a BMW with rear-wheel drive is okay as long as I have four snow tires?

Greenie

Like the poster ahead of me said, if you're going to be living in Burlington or one of its suburbs, you'll probably be OK. Out in the hinterlands, you probably don't want it.

[Sporin]

You know, there are other paved towns outside Burlington. :P :P

I know lots of people in my area driving RWD BMW's, they get along just fine with snow tires. What do you guys think people drove before FWD & AWD became so common? RWD cars carried people all over New England for DECADES.

I can't repeat it enough.... snow tires, snow tires, snow tires, snow tires, snow tires, snow tires, snow tires.

[vter]

[quote=Sporin;1875002]You know, there are other paved towns outside Burlington. :P :P QUOTE]

There are???

And I'll second.....snow tires!

[quickdraw]

Originally Posted by tkln

If you know how to drive in the snow, and you are living in or around Burlington, you could be okay. Anywhere outside of that, you might not be.

We've had a couple of rear wheel drive Bimmers for a while down here (NY) and it was okay, but we also don't get anywhere near as much snow and we know how to drive in it. Go down to a few towns over where every one has one, and you'll see them skidding and sliding all over the highways, main streets and side streets.

I agree. I'm aware of rear wheel drive in the snow, I tried it. I'm aware which models have rear wheel drive too. I see them trying to go up hills and watch them turn sideways. While I'm somewhat fascinated watching them, wondering how cars can climb while pretty much sideways, I have to remind myself that they could come barrelling down toward me at any moment.

You are correct, it's very important to know how to steer rear-wheel cars on ice or in snow. Many people don't. Police cars are very heavy and many
are custom, built lower to the ground.

RWD. Burlington, South Burlington MAYBE.

[GreenMachine]

Sounds like I'll be okay with the bimmer. Somehow I think they're fine with snow tires. I drove a mazda miata in the snow with snow tired and managed okay.

Greenie

[Sporin]

Originally Posted by quickdraw

I agree. I'm aware of rear wheel drive in the snow, I tried it. I'm aware which models have rear wheel drive too. I see them trying to go up hills and watch them turn sideways. While I'm somewhat fascinated watching them, wondering how cars can climb while pretty much sideways, I have to remind myself that they could come barrelling down toward me at any moment.

You are correct, it's very important to know how to steer rear-wheel cars on ice or in snow. Many people don't. Police cars are very heavy and many
are custom, built lower to the ground.

RWD. Burlington, South Burlington MAYBE.

Police cars actually sit on taller springs to compensate for all the heavy equipment they carry, they aren't lower.. and being lower wouldn't effect winter traction.

Let me be clear, I am not advocating that everyone drive Mustangs as winter beaters. I'm just saying if you already own a car that happens to be RWD, and you aren't, living in the boonies, then a set of snow tires will most likely get you through just fine. You don't need a AWD or FWD car to get around Vermont in the winter unless you spend a lot of time on dirt roads or in the mountains.

Just trying to temper the winter driving hysteria, nothing more. By all means, drive what you want and are comfortable with.

[flu189]

It is quite possible to get around just fine with traditional RWD passenger cars in the winter. As a cop in Anchorage we used Chevy Caprices and later Ford Crown Vics with little problems except in cases of heavy snowfall and drifting conditions. The basic difference with cruisers was the beefed up suspension to help with cornering and extended durability. Winter driving actually involves more in driver skill and technique. However, this does not mean I would trade in my Subaru. The AWD and standard transmission really helps on roads with curves and inclines.

[GreenMachine]

Thanks everyone for your advice. i really appreciate it.

Greenie