Good Car In Winter

I think Anonymous Hero has given some good advice. The only thing I would add is...

Get rid of the Cavalier! From our experiences here at CR4, this is one of the most troublesome cars around.

Can you send me a PM next time you have any snow along the Space Coast? I have not seen much snow lately, and would enjoy it I think. It must just be my eyesight going. Right?

As a desert dweller, I'm not qualified to give advice. But, I think both previous posts make sense.

Many of my Minnesota neighbors _{(I live in AZ 50 weeks per year)} go all winter without any special vehicles. Caution, experience and good tires are half the battle.

Get rid of the Cavalier.

So much for not giving you any advice.

You received some excellent advice in the previous posts. A lot depends on where you live . If you live where the roads are always plowed and sanded and the roads are pretty flat just about any front wheel drive vehicle with good tires will get you there, however, if that hill is like where I live ,if the road hasn't been plowed and cindered 4 wheel drive is the only way for me to get home. Like I said it depends on where you live and the road conditions . Some folks think 4 wheel -all wheel drive will go and do anything, not so!

The vehicle doesn't have enough sense to turn back , but the driver does ,or should.

h

Besides all the good advice on driving classes and taking extra care while driving during winter conditions, also consider a vehicle that has all wheel drive (Subaru and Audi make some great ones) or 4 wheel drive (Toyota Matirx comes immediately to mind). These options usually add significantly to the price of the vehicle, so a less costly solution would be to get a better front wheel drive car and put the proper snow tires on it. (I agree with the others, get rid of the Caviler!!!).

Another point I'd like to make, even with an all-wheel/4-wheel drive system, anti-lock brakes and great snow tires, it is still up to the person behind the wheel to travel safely.

Good luck and safe driving

Based on all of the posts we get from Cavalier owners, you have a great car to prevent sliding around in the winter. Hard to have the car slide when it is home in the driveway because it will not start.

After the above suggestions have been addressed, think about how committed you want to be about transportation in snowy weather. Are you studded snow tires on all four wheels committed, or Cat D-9 bulldozer committed? Do you want one vehicle that is reasonably good for year round use, or how about a second vehicle that is very good in snow that is only used in bad weather? How about a high mileage car for the good to fair days, and a second hand Jeep for the bad days? The Cherokee is very capable, and drives, rides and is finished well. How about a 600 CC motorcycle, and a Hummer H1? Roller blades and a D-9?

How committed are you?

You can use a search engine to find good car ratings.In the winter it is about traction with the road surface.Driving or braking ? When propelling the vehicle on snow or ice the more wheels pushing or pulling the better.All wheel drive better than 4 wheel drive.4 Wheel drive better than 2 wheel drive.2 wheel drive better than 1 wheel drive,(Posi traction vs. slip),front wheel drive better than rear wheel drive (drive train weight over the driving wheels.For braking choose a newer vehicle with a working anti lock braking system.For Traction / Friction nothing beats a good set of tire chains but they are a hassle to install and remove.If you do not want the hassle of chains get a set of used wheels and mount studded, aggressive,radial, tread snow tires for the winter on all 4.Find the manufacturer's suggested loaded maximum weight for the vehicle and add sand bags (down force)to the max on the floorboards where the passengers feet normally rest or carry an equal amount of passengers with you.Of course this is an engineering site so you could request a drop sand design for the vehicle you decide to purchase.Hope this helps.