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broadbandito
Since 26 Apr 2005
342 Posts
CSO headwaters
WheatHead
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 Thu Oct 18, 07 6:20 am |
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| Quote: | | This was manufactured so that tow companies didn't have to dollie the car (you can't tow an AWD vehicle with only two wheels on the ground - it will cause some significant damage). |
This is cool, but it blows my understanding of the AWD. I thought the Soobs had a viscous differential between the front and rear, and the reason you can't tow two wheels is because the spinning of only two wheels would churn the diff and ruin it. This fuse must remove all the fluid so it doesn't get whipped to death foam?
On the original question, one other option if your main concern is just getting through snow on maintained highways: Consider getting good snow tires and wheels and skip the AWD. This simply opens up a lot more vehicles as worthy options. If you buy the tires and wheels there, Les Schwab will change out the wheels for free every season until the tires are too worn to use. Spending $500 on the wheels and tires means you don't have to spend extra for AWD and you'll save more $ by getting better mileage for the 98 percent of miles you drive off snow. Plus good snow tires help you stop faster on ice and snow, which is a more likely source of winter nightmares than forward traction. ODOT also accepts certain snow tires as "traction devices" which means you don't need to chain up until you really need chains.
That said, if you want to break trail in deep snow or loose sand, get real 4WD with a locking center differential so all the wheels keep turning in the deep shee-ott. |
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pkh
Since 27 Feb 2005
6549 Posts
Couve / Hood
Honored Founder
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eskeeme
Since 23 May 2007
44 Posts
White Salmon
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| Fri Oct 19, 07 9:51 am Subaru, Honda, or Toyota? |
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I have been a fan of all three companies for many years. I've owned three toyota trucks, an 88 subaru gl, and currently own a forester. I also was a Pre Delivery Inspector and technician for Honda for a couple of years.
I have driven the rav many times, but for the price I found it wasn't worth it. It wasn't roomy enough, power to weight ratio wasn't as good as it could be, and it was a little squirlly in the snow. Great car for driving round town and can deal with most weather conditons. Not the best choice for a mountian cruzer.
The Honda crv was a great car. They do come in 4wd and have more room than the rav. It will get you around in the snow ok. It has good gas mileage and will last for a long time with routine maint. The crv has a short wheel base and stands just as tall as most suv's. This makes you top heavy with a higher chance of slippage and rollover. Ok for weekend trips to the mountain.
Now the most "common" car that you see at any mountain resort is subaru. Old, really old, or new, these cars will get you to the Mt. and get you there safely! The Forester (unlike the rav and the crv) is built with a car frame that rides closer to the ground for more center stability and has a wider wheel base than both the crv and the rav. The suspension and axels are pushed up closer to the bottom of the car to give it more ground clearance(it actually has alot more than what it seems, I think more than the rav last time I checked). It has almost the same amount of space as a crv or rav and it comes with the all wheel drive that subaru is famous for! This car will stick to the road as good or better than any car or truck on the market right now. It gets good gas mileage and can go just as fast as a 2.5 rs(it's the same engine, just a different body style).
I work at ski resorts and I have to say that my forester(as much as I loved wheelin my toyota's  ) hands down is the best car I've driven in snow. I've pushed snow above my front bumper on an icey road in a blizzard for many miles(many times too) and I was warm and toasty inside with my music goin, all my snowboarding and skiing gear(yes boards and ski's fit back there at the same time), friends riding with me, and a timeline to get to work ! It even start's up great in the cold conditions(something I remember the rav having a problem with). Like all cars, regular maintainance is needed to keep it running in top shape. I've seen foresters with over 300,000 miles on them and running great  ! I've also seen Honda's and Toyota's with high milage running great as well.
When it comes to getting up to the mountain Subaru is the best  . I've seen it, lived it, and got stuck on the side of the road with other cars. I love toyota's and honda's, they are great cars, but subaru is great for the city and the mountains!
Be safe and enjoy your winter! |
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