worry about tyres more than the car they are attached to.

Proper 4x4 (Range Rover/ Landcruiser) or something wee and light (Fiat 500/ Ford Ka).

DON'T go for a big torquey diesel with wide low profile tyres. They are shit in snow.

Old school Fiat Panda 4x4.

2nd the fiat-

[url=

focus[/url] seems just the ticket 😉

Don't touch fake 4x4's if after something small, our Freelander TD auto hasn't been stopped so far - and just on standard (but recently replaced at £165 each!) Michelins.

Or just a set of steel wheels and winter tyres for whatever you buy.

2 CV with chains on was the best i ever drove 🙂 beat our landrover hands down,

old pug 205. Buth the fave of ski bums in the alps: old style 4 x 4 Panda.
My Citroen C15 van was pretty good too. Anything with narrow wheels.

I've been very happy with how my Aygo has handled it this and last winter, think the narrow tyres help.

Last year, when the snow hit North Wales, the Squadron were staying in an old converted barn way up the hill at CYB, beyond the Adams Family section. Lovely place, beautiful views. We awoke to a heavy snowfall, and the prospect of a drive back down the hill to the centre (On the way home straight after our ride, so we drove down).

Four cars in the Squadron at the time. Running order went as follows;
Tail end Charlie - Discovery II Series - There to pick up the pieces if anyone in front stuffed it up. Lumbered down the hill, totally unphased by what was happening. Slow and steady (As it always is! 😉 )
Middle of the formation - Astra Hatchback and a Volvo 850 saloon. They struggled to have any grip at all, and more slid down than drove down.
In the vanguard, yours truly in my 4WD V70. My inner rally driver took over, and I went a bit Finnish.... 😈

4x4 on snow is better, IMO. Just avoid anything rear wheel drive!

[img] [/img]

Not too sure what the tax or insurance group is though.

Its the ability of the driver...and skinny tyres 😉

mrmo - Member

worry about tyres more than the car they are attached to.

I'll 2nd that. My 4x4 was having a very hard time today yet the Ford Ka and Smart cars that I rent in the alps when skiing never have any problems in worse conditions than we have here as they're fitted with winter tyres.

In risk of getting abuse from german car haters, by Audi Estate quattro is great in the snow, although a bit scaring coming down a 1in 6 with sheet ice...yikes!

My old Ford KA was magnificent in the snow.

I've got an Old Lancruiser, with huge torquey 4.2 Diesel engine & it's fantastic, decent tyres make a huge difference on anything, I'm running Pirreli A/T's at the moment. Not the best on fuel though

modestly priced cars (up to £25k?)

[coughs] I'm poorer than I imagined.

Well my big torquie deisel Seat ibiza has been great in the snow. That also has big wide tyres...

However my dad's Audi is a joke (2.0 litre tdi)

You did say car. So I would recommend anything 4x4, such as Volvo XC90/Audi Allroad/Saab also do one (which will be cheap now)

t-p 26 - Member

Its the ability of the driver...and skinny tyres

What am I doing here again - Member

2 CV with chains on was the best i ever drove beat our landrover hands down,

100% I drove a 2cv in snow and it was suprisingly good - soft power so easy to keep traction 🙂 Big diameter skinny wheels. weighs half of nothing

Yep - small and non-powerful is good. Of course you can mimic the non-powerful bit by just driving super gently. Any car is rubbish if you keep booting the pedals. If the wheels spin then go more easy - do [u]not[/u] put your foot down more.

Round here there are a lot of big 4x4s and virtually without exception the drivers forget that their cars are two or three times heavier and have totally unsuitable tyres - better off in any old hatch.

XC90 anybody - one going cheap here (might have to page thru the pics)

[url] http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Picture-perfect-weather-takes-its.5952964.jp [/url]

I found these good in Canada:

[img] [/img]

Probably get a half decent one for a $5k at http://www.snowmobiletraderonline.com 😀

Only problem with my 2CV in the snow was cold hands because of poor heater and countless drafts.

My choice would, therefore, would be an Audi ur-Quattro or any quattro of that generation. There's just something about it them that gets better the worse the conditions get.

This:

[img] [/img]

Saw one of these the other day in Italia, minus gun holder I might add.

[img] http://www.thebeastofbondi.com/A%2520real%2520mans%2520snow%2520quad%2520with%2520gun%2520holder.JP G" target="_blank">http://www.thebeastofbondi.com/A%2520real%2520mans%2520snow%2520quad%2520with%2520gun%2520holder.JP G"/> &usg=AFQjCNF7PXACtbW5sKNabqFOc64KpoiKZw[/img]

It had plates on, so assume it was road legal, in Italy at least! Looked great fun!

[url= http://www.lixtoll.com/ ]Lix toll special:
[img] [/img][/url]

[url= http://www.toyo.co.uk/productdetail.php?identity=products&product_id=2 ]Toyo Proxes T1 R[/url]Are certainly an acquired tasted in the snow - but made the trip into work this morning in the C2 (VTS) - VW passat estate is very good in the snow – not had any problems – not even attempting Sutton Bank (North Yorks) in the snow on New years Eve

[img] [/img]
http://ktrakcycle.com/

well living in the sticks, on a big sporting estate with private, untreated roads leading to hilly irregularly treated roads and a foot of snow that has been lying for two weeks (and now packed down to 3" of ice) heres the observations from me and my neighbours cars:

My Sprinter - wholly useless
I hired a diesel focus with traction control as a substitute run about - I was pretty desparate too, required quad-bike assistance where the Golf and Leon below got out with the odd shove. I only planned to hire it for a day, it took me another 2 days to be able to get it back.

My sister in laws M reg Legacy - 4 wheel drive and narrow tyres - excellent, but could still require a push from stationary on soft snow.

My GF's 2005 Seat Leon basic spec - pretty decent, never got into more trouble than a quick push would solve

Neighbour No1's 07 Vectra - one night sleeping on a strangers floor just 8 miles from home and several enegetic sessions pushing and shovelling it up the castle drive, some of which had to be aborted
Neighbour No1's 08 Audi A4 - big wide tyres, waited till the snow was packed down before he even tried to move it

Neighbour No2's New Golf fairly basic spec - as good as the Seat, better than the focus

Neighbour No 3's Big new Audi estate with huge tyres.... she never brought it onto the estate for two weeks, it was in trouble within yards, so opted to dig a parking space for it beside the road walk the last 1/4 mile instead

The Groundsman's Ford Fiesta tall thing - pretty capable

His Lordship's car of choice over a rangerover and BMW 3 Series Coupe.... An 03 Passat Estate, he's a racing driver though, I don't think the RR would have been enough fun, or perhaps he was happier to risk smashing up the Passat

But the outright winner, was the young lass in the flat with a Mark 2 Micra that has been wholly oblivious to the snow and ice through out - deep snow, compacted slush, solid bumpy ice - its never need so much as a push from the outset

So - front wheel drive, light car with the skinniest tyres you can find is the answer.

Shame nobody makes them anymore.

I have Toyo Proxes T1 R on my Puma and found them poor going up a snowey slope - I do like the idea of a spare set of wheels with snow tyres if they make a significant amount of difference.

my subaru legacy has been very impressive, low ratio gear box is great at keeping speeds down on slopes - 1st gear low ratio, crawl at a couple of mph downhill.

think about reserving some of your 25k for a set of steel wheels and winter tyres.

The thing is, we're shooting the horse after the gate has been bolted. There haven't been conditions like this around here for 20 years, probably won't be again for at least as long, any concessions I make now - change of vehicle, buy different tyres or chains - I'll never use them as intended. The time to buy them would have been 3 weeks ago.

My sister in laws M reg Legacy - 4 wheel drive and narrow tyres - excellent, but could still require a push from stationary on soft snow.

Is it an auto? My Foz is fantastic even on fresh snow.

I am wondering now- Why I want to sell it?!

not really, winter tyres are a safer option all winter in cold and wet conditions.

hmm, [url= http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Blazer-K5-100K-1977-K5-BLAZER-SHOW-4X4-100K-INVESTED-COLECTOR-200-PIC_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ310191313559QQsspagenameZRSSQ3aBQ3aSRCHQ3aUSQ3a101 ]THIS![/url]

think about reserving some of your 25k for a set of steel wheels and winter tyres.

I am not intending to spend anything like that much but just curious as to what might be considered - the Kuga seems like a practical 4wd car but would need a good reason for going for it over a Focus.

Pleased with my Subaru Forester. Good on snowy roads plus I've been off road on muddy, icy tracks. I've got 'standard' tyres, Goodyear Dualers.

JUST TAKEN ME 2 HOURS TO DO ABOUT 10 MILES, SEEMS TO ME THAT IT'S NOT CARS THAT ARE THE PEOBLEM BUT A HANDFULL OF COMPLETELY INCOMPETANT DRIVERS WHO DRIVE AT 5 MPH AS SOON AS THEY SEE ANYTHING OTHER THAN DRY TARMAC AND THINK THE ART TO PULLING AWAY IS TO APPLY 6000 REVS AND DUMP THE CLUTCH. SORRY FOR SHOUTING BUT IT PISSES ME RIGHT OFF.

i used this when i lived in the US
Toyota 4runner - most fun 'car' ive ever owned!
[img] [/img]

Stu McGroo at lunchtime I had my second go of the day at someone who decided to drive past me as fast as he could in mixed deep snow/slush. He passed me within 10m's of the red light.

Do it properly

http://www.tomcatmotorsport.co.uk/advert_45.htm

Me Land rover defender 90 with 165 Bf Goodrich All Terrain tyres, so far hasnae even looked like gettin stuck in the bleak north west of Scotland where the snow is proper like! spent the last 2 weeks ferrying peeps about and pulling stricken vehicles when theyve got stuck. GFs Seat Leon went 2 metres forward then 2 metres sideways before leaving her drive, she then gave up driving it.

There's great news in this thread - the best car for snow [u]doesn[/u]'t mean buying a car that's no good for the rest of the year. A cheap, light, basic, slow fwd hatch is best for snow and pretty bloody good all the rest of the time too. Cheap, simple, fun, practical - modern cars have gone way ott - no need for so much speed and ludicrous levels of comfort and equipment.

spudgun1 earlier:

[img] [/img]

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... 🙂

[img] [/img]

Echoing Glenp, When I lived in the Highlands, much as you you'd expect to see 4X4s everywhere the most popular car on the road seemed to be a VW Polo. Small, economical, reliable, less likely to crash than a 4x4 during the 50 weeks of the year when the roads are clear.

I got passed by at least 5 Freelanders this morning on my walk up the hill from Ripponden to Barkisland. Normally the snowboard melts the hearts of passers-by and I get to thumb a lift, but this lot are just BMW drivers in disuise I guess. serves me right for boarding on work time I suppose!
Had a few unexpected lifts up the hill from white van men- good on em.

fiat panda 4x4 or a Scoobydoo Justy (the original ones not the soft heavy new ones)

Bwarp

This doesn't really help the OP but I've always loved the Golf Country 4x4. A mate has had a couple and is currently refurbishing one just now and they have proved to be very capable off road.

[img] [/img]

[IMG] [/IMG]

Bowler wildcat or a bowler nemisis, end of discussion. You won't be worry about a bit a snow behind the wheel of one of those boys

twas one of those Bowlers that I was looking for a piccy for ...interestingly they now make a road going nemisis with AC & sound & full lights etc.... now wheres my lottery numbers

[i]DON'T go for a big torquey diesel with wide low profile tyres. They are shit in snow[/i]

Completely agree with that. My honda accord tourer with 17inch low profile tyres is a complete disaster - taken me three attempts at getting into the driveway this afternoon after two almost in attempts then the front went all over the place. My puegeot 307 is much better even though again it has 17 inch low profile tyres - a 2 litre petrol engine and a much lighetr weight makes all the difference.

Yeh the 2cv is great but as mine lives a pampered life I wouldn't take it anywhere near all that salt on the roads. It would rust away before my eyes.

[i]XC90 anybody[/i]

After watching one slide sideway down the gently sloping road outside our houes I would say that without off road tyres it's even more useless than my honda.

2nd the Citroen 2 CV, just floated past all the other cars, nice thin wheels/tyres

my Golf GTi - currently parked at the bottom of our road after several aborted attempts
my wifes 1.1l 106 - currently parked outside our house after driving straight up our road with no issues.

Here's my street:

[img] [/img]

It's a dead-end, on a bit of a hill and ungritted.

I got up it in my car (Focus), but if you don't mind waiting till I'm home I'll give you a list of the cars that haven't moved since the snow 😀

hillman imp - great in the snow

Smug claim to fame - I delivered the rolling chassis for the 2nd conversion Drew Bowler ever did, up to his blacksmiths forge in Derbyshire back in the 80s. He's moved on a bit since then!

hora -
at lunchtime I had my second go of the day at someone who decided to drive past me as fast as he could in mixed deep snow/slush.

my point exactly, most of the time people accept the slow moving traffic and stay in line, occasionly people drive so slowly and not in keeping with the conditions that the following driver has no alternative other than to demonstrate how it is perfectly safe to drive a little faster by overtaking....or in your case twice!!!

Its no good having a 4wd car perfect for the snow if some IDIOT in a 2wd car comes sliding down the road with no control whatsoever and nearly crashes into you.

This is what happened to me.

unfortunately, i was the idiot in the 2wd car.

My 90 on 205 mud tyres is brilliant, we've just had ste start of a heavy dump in Portsmouth and I had no problems coming back from work along the top of Portsdown Hill, with all the other drivers panicking! Did feel sorry for the lady on the 'ped who was in front of me though....

I've got a 2WD Kuga with winter tyres & it had been quite excellent in the snow. In the last month it's been in Belgium, England, Holland, Germany, France & Switzerland all without any hint of grip problems.
Though as mentioned already it is the tyres & not the car really, but of course being a diesel also helps.

The bad thing is that even if you have winter tyres, if you are 1 in 10,000 you will still be stuck 🙁

Thanks mudshark, was looking at ploughs the other day, could be a nice lil earner.

My wife bought a second hand Panda 4x4 last November (what timing eh?!) - which I'm trying to adopt. Cheap as chips to buy and run as a second (or...cough..third) car and with mud & snow tyres that come on it as standard it's been breezing up the local lanes in the Peak District. Surprisingly practical too, easy to get kids in & out with it being 5 door - although most of the time I just shut 'em in the boot & turn the radio up 😉

[img] [/img]

The wifes fiat 500 is doing grand in our 3-4" soft snow we have up here being the base model with skinny wheels and a 1.2 engine. My Zafira SRI diesel running on 18's is a disaster.

My mates volve v40 D5 R-design is worse though - being an auto he cant control anything so it just spins and spins.

- being an auto he cant control anything...

I'm afraid that's down to the driver (and as said above, the tyres); an auto driven well can often outperform a manual in mud and snow.

I'm afraid that's down to the driver (and as said above, the tyres); an auto driven well can often outperform a manual in mud and snow.

How so Psling?

I was going to say that IMO any [b]Manual[/b] car with with suitable tyres can be driven in all but the deepest snow, IF the person behind the wheel is remotely competent - but your comment has me thinking?

Skoda estelle/rapid.

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

[url=

Ken if he want's to sell this[/url]

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 🙂
[url= http://specialsphotos.fotopic.net/p62810779.html ]Land Rover in mud[/url]

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.

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.

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!

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 drive

[i]DON'T go for a big torquey diesel with wide low profile tyres. They are shit in snow[/i]

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.

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.

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.

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...

Subaru Outback Diesel gets my vote.... I have 58 plate and love it!

Great all rounder

New style gets rave reviews also....
[url= http://www.subaru.com/ratings-reviews/outback/motortrend.html ]Outback[/url]