What is the best Standard car for the Snow?
28 January 2004, 01:44 PM
#1
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I know that Impreza's can be fantastic getting up hills, but when it comes to stopping with huge garden-roller tyres and ABS u might as well be driving a big sledge.
My Corsa kicks *** in the snow, tiny thin tyres, very little power and no ABS! My dad prefers to take that out compared to his STI8!
My Corsa kicks *** in the snow, tiny thin tyres, very little power and no ABS! My dad prefers to take that out compared to his STI8!
28 January 2004, 01:54 PM
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If your dad's STi had tyres that were actually designed for these conditions, he'd have no problems getting around in his STi. As you've found out, all wheel drive is less of a factor than the suitability (or otherwise) of the car-road interface.
28 January 2004, 02:27 PM
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Old Beetles work pretty well, narrow tyres, lots of weight over the driven wheels and not too much torque.
Anything with narrow tyres is the best bet short of snow tyres or chains.
Anything with narrow tyres is the best bet short of snow tyres or chains.
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28 January 2004, 02:36 PM
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I has a Fiat Uno 45 once. That was great in the snow - 135 tyres and not too much power 
Wifey tells me that Smarts are poo in the snow. She went out and then returned pronto, parked Smart outside home and took the scoob instead
Wifey tells me that Smarts are poo in the snow. She went out and then returned pronto, parked Smart outside home and took the scoob instead
28 January 2004, 02:59 PM
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My sport aint bad, no power, fairly skinny tyres and too much weight. Still has abs though. The worst I have driven was my old 205 gti, that led me to pirouette city.
Simon
Simon
28 January 2004, 03:01 PM
#12
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Agree that the beetle (old one ) that I had in me student days wa sthe best on snow 
(sh1te everywhere else though
)
[Edited by SiPie - 1/28/2004 3:01:49 PM]
) that I had in me student days wa sthe best on snow (sh1te everywhere else though
)[Edited by SiPie - 1/28/2004 3:01:49 PM]
28 January 2004, 03:10 PM
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huge garden-roller tyres
Beetles are fine in the snow providing you haven't had the engine bored and ported and big extractor zaust fitted, then it is just plain scary, when the back goes, all that weight just comes flying past you!
28 January 2004, 03:44 PM
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Agree with fiat panda, used to live in Buxton & about 2ft of snow had fallen, none of the roads had been treated, had to get to work which was the local college on top of a bloody big hill! Cleared the snow of the car, started up 1st time got to work no problem Dont give a monkeys what people say about the panda i had great fun in mine on the roads in the fields & rivers
Oh & mine wasnt a 4x4
Dont give a monkeys what people say about the panda i had great fun in mine on the roads in the fields & rivers Oh & mine wasnt a 4x4
28 January 2004, 03:47 PM
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Wifey tells me that Smarts are poo in the snow. She went out and then returned pronto, parked Smart outside home and took the scoob instead
Bit scared about the stupid clutch action on the gearbox thou.
[Edited by Mcbrun555 - 1/28/2004 3:49:13 PM]
28 January 2004, 04:14 PM
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The best car I have for snow use is not the 996 carrera C2 
or the WRX, but the "scrapper" (still better than most shopping cars, but it's a boring drive). If it slides into a hedge it can stay there! And I can stay warm for an hour or two while it smoulders away. Why else do I carry matches in the glovebox? 
or the WRX, but the "scrapper" (still better than most shopping cars, but it's a boring drive). If it slides into a hedge it can stay there! And I can stay warm for an hour or two while it smoulders away. Why else do I carry matches in the glovebox?
28 January 2004, 04:38 PM
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doesnt matter what you drive if the tyres arent up to it. I drove a Suzuki Vitara diesel home for a girl I know on the weekend after it had snowed heavily and she still has summer tyres on it. Even in 4wd it was one of the most dangerous ( and probably stupid ) things I have done.
28 January 2004, 05:04 PM
#23
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I was expecting the Smart to be good - light skinny tyres weight over driven wheels etc.
Problem was that the ABS/Traction control was going loopy and the gearbox was doing its ownthing
I much prefer to have control of the car when its snowing rather than the other way around
I wonder what the new M3s are like in the snow. I have great respects for BMW electronics, but big tyres, 2WD and all that power
Problem was that the ABS/Traction control was going loopy and the gearbox was doing its ownthing
I much prefer to have control of the car when its snowing rather than the other way around
I wonder what the new M3s are like in the snow. I have great respects for BMW electronics, but big tyres, 2WD and all that power
28 January 2004, 06:14 PM
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Have to agree with that, seeing as I'm just about to buy one
That'll be why the police, fire, gas, water, power etc. etc. have them, I suppose
Talking about a Land Rover by the way - my post just came out in the wrong place....
How about that 4x4 2CV?
[Edited by Franx - 1/28/2004 6:20:28 PM]
That'll be why the police, fire, gas, water, power etc. etc. have them, I suppose
Talking about a Land Rover by the way - my post just came out in the wrong place....
How about that 4x4 2CV?
[Edited by Franx - 1/28/2004 6:20:28 PM]
28 January 2004, 06:30 PM
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4wd are MUCH better than any 2wd in the snow, but small and light front w ones are ok. Large merc, bmws etc are terrible. Very important is good soft winter tyres, they go hard and useless after 4-5 yrs. I use 225/17 winter for my wrx and its unbeatable for all round winter use. A meaner, but not so comfortable choice is http://gallery.imprezadriver.com/lappi , spikes are allowed here in Norway!
