I use my Nissan Pathfinder for the snow, when it gets really bad I use the Land Rover.
The Land Rover is great in the snow, not much use in the mud though 
Land Rover in mud
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What car for snow?
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Posted 2 years ago #
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Hi jim29, very generally (!), to drive in snow it helps to get the power down smoothly and to slow down / control speed by engine braking. An automatic can supply drive to the wheels very smoothly (often more so than a manual) and gears can be locked out where necessary to control speed. The more relevant part in my post is probably the "down to the driver" bit
A driver trained or experienced in mud & snow driving will get the best out of either automatic or manual.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I'm driving my first ever auto in the snow, and despite my initial thoughts of "it's auto, bound to be shite", it has been performing remarkably well - down to the smoothness which psling speaks of. It is a 4WD as well, but basic (normal diffs, viscous centre). Doing much better than I expected. I've had a fair bit of snow driving experience though, and that definitely helps too, along with decent tyres.
Posted 2 years ago # -
That's a fair comment Psling, what got me thinking was how do you overcome the auto holding on to gears to much higher RPMs than is ideal for snow driving?
I can drive my Manual Diesel Focus no trouble through the snow, but the Auto Astra Petrol is a mare!
Posted 2 years ago # -
I reckon a Lancia Stratos would be pretty good fun in the snow, in a buttock clenching sort of way.
Or a 6r4, that would be awesome.
Although a lamborghini murcielago would probably be the worst despite the four wheel drivePosted 2 years ago # -
DON'T go for a big torquey diesel with wide low profile tyres. They are shit in snow
I dunno about this, the best thing you can do with a car like that is stick it it second and let it pull itself along on tickover. When I went down town today in the snow this worked great when pulling away from lights, even on hills.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Many years ago I had a lancia Integrale. I quickly learnt that the 4WD was great for acceleration but brakes were no better. Still good fun.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Don't agree with auto's been sh1te in snow.
I initially thought that my little van would be better than my DSG(auto) golf gti, it isn't - the golf has been fantastic (Touch wood). But I can go into a higher gear using the flappy paddles which really helps.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Mk IV Golf R32 with winter tyres? I haven't found a road I can't drive up so far, as long as you're gentle with the throttle or off it completely it's great. Good fun in the summer too...
My Mk IV GTI with standard Michelins has been doing OK in our 6-10" up here in Belmont, Lancs...
Posted 2 years ago # -
littlegirlbunny - Member
CaptainFlashheart - Member
Old school Fiat Panda 4x4.
*nods*
...and very good for getting through moderate floodwater as well
*knows through experience of driving one with the water lapping up over the bonnet*
F-reg fiats are where it's at, clearly
Not for nothing are they the second most popular car on the Falklands.
Posted 2 years ago # -
i have a 9 yr old diesel clio...it seems to go better than audi quatros...i have tried to get it stuck but it just seems to keep going... i can stop on hills and reverse back up to people who are stuck trying to get up them...but if u want to spend up to 25k and u want a family car..maybe a 4wd jag x type or a subaru imprezza.
Posted 2 years ago # -
i ment to say legacy...
Posted 2 years ago # -
Another vote for a Scoobie for snow performance, I had a legacy and it had excellent traction plus a very strong car to boot.
BUT
You will pay for it the rest of the year in low MPG, I dont know what the new diesel ones are like.....
Posted 2 years ago # -
Outback Boxer Diesel 2.0L AWD
Long A9 journey 50+mpg... Average bombing around town/short trips 36mpg
Posted 2 years ago # -
scotabroad paying for what?
Or....drive a blandobox VW TDI that doesnt steer/handle the best?
Posted 2 years ago # -
Just bought a second set of wheels with Vredestein Snowtrac tyres to go on a 1.2 Clio. Not got them yet but bored with the idea that I have to study the weather (impossible) and consider only the main roads (where all the wallys are) when going out. Sure they cost a bit but they'll last 4-5 winters with some resale value if the car is sold - its just piece of mind. Cheaper than a new set of Fox forks that I don't need.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Toyo snowprox tyres?
Posted 2 years ago # -
plenty threads on what tyres on winterhighland.com
ive had a panda, polo, 3 clios , yaris , civic 2.2d and an impreza 2.0
all the small cars with narrow tyres were ace
the Civic is too powerful and needs care in the snow, winter tyres would transform ittried a CRV, not bad even on normal tyres
the scooby was the best by far ..and should be, it had 4wd and a low range transfer box
regulars at glenshee tend to have full on 4x4's or foresters with all season tyres
if i could buy tomorrow it'd be one of these weapons
allroads quattro, forrester turbo diesel, CRV Diesel
all with winter tyres if i was to buy again it'd be a 2.0d forester suretrak, chipped and shod with winter tyres
Posted 2 years ago # -
scotabroad paying for what?
The clue is in the post:
in low MPG
Petrol scoobies are not known for good fuel consumption.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I misposted scotabroad. I was thinking 'yes but you get a lovely sorted car' and only typed 'paying for what'?!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Massey Fergusson 4365, could be awesome on spraying wheels, but they'd just break where we've been going - been getting a drift on dragging out trees
was sent home in one of the Land Rovers so I could take everyone in tomorrow, my mondeo is fine, but struggles with my drive of pack ice, which also makes parking tricky as everything just slides, looking for a non-existent flat spot
Posted 2 years ago # -
how do you overcome the auto holding on to gears to much higher RPMs than is ideal for snow driving?
Well they only do that if you press the right hand pedal down too much, the solution to which should be obvious.Overtook a couple of people today in my big torquey diesel (only 195 tyres though, which probably don't count as wide nowadays, but neither are they narrow). They were doing ~10mph on roads where 30 was reasonable. The third person I tried it on sped up once I'd gingerly crossed the middle of the road. Also made it up the hill on our housing estate with no problems where other people were getting stuck. The trick of course being that just like an auto, it's only torquey if you press that right hand pedal too much.
Posted 2 years ago # -
anything with a land rover badge.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Landrover Defender 110. Nothing better (excluding all the fantasy stuff that is not really practical being shown above).
Posted 2 years ago # -
tractor? Quad bike? Been driving around at work on one of these:
been alot of fun, and perfect for the snow!
Posted 2 years ago # -
My Berlingo (2.0 Hdi) is performing very well with Vredstein Snowtrac2 tyres. The only limiting factor is the depth of snow, as too much under the car lifts the chassis and reduces traction. I reckon it'll cope with 8" of snow.
Posted 2 years ago # -
NOT an RX8. It's completely the wrong combination of Rear Wheel Drive, Fat tyres, low torque (so starting off in 2nd requires loads of revs, which defies the point).
Wifes Micra in the background has been doing sterling service however. There's something in this light FWD concept.Posted 2 years ago # -
As troutwrestler is pointing out its the tyres not the car that make the difference as they are the only part in contact with the road.
Posted 2 years ago # -
nah you want ken blocks rally car sod studded tyres. [img]http://www.likecool.com/Car/Other/Ken Blocks TRAX STI Car/Ken-Blocks-TRAX-STI-Car.jpg[/img]
put it in on youtube and see for yourselfPosted 2 years ago # -
LOL Dan67 thats made my eve.
Regarding car/off road make sure its 4 wheel drive if not rear wheel drive. A manual gear box will be better for pulling away and getting
traction up hill.
Il go for a Toyota Land Cruiser or the Land Rover
But go for Toyota first.Posted 2 years ago # -
Subaru wins, capable in the snow, and drives like a proper car the rest of the time.
What tyres for?.....
Posted 2 years ago # -
I drive this, it's about %100 more reliable, as capable, and cheaper to run and maintain than any of the landies I had before
Posted 2 years ago # -
My "fake" 4x4 new shape Honda CRV 2.2 diesal has been excellent in the snow and ice.
It came with Conti Contacts 4x4's which I think are an all round kinda tyre.
Defining moment when my cousin slid into a tree with a Land Rover defender when driving down a country lane which was like a sheet of glass and my CRV jusr lapped it up, although I think his fatal mistake was touching the brakes.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Octavia scout with all season tyres will be just grand. Make sure the tyres aren't stupidly wide also.
or as the previous guy said - the wildcat :p
Posted 2 years ago #
Topic Closed
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