Arrived
Jun 6th 2013 | 3:44 am
#31
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,188
Re: Arrived
Its a lot colder in the UK than Alberta in the winter, that makes sense. This was one of the coldest winters the UK has faced for a long time.
Jun 8th 2013 | 11:28 am
#34
Happy Bunnies
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,371
From: NW Calgary
Re: Arrived
We did the AMA winter driving course when we arrived - did a little bit of classroom theory then got to drive on a snowy skid pan doing handbrake turns and (kind of) controlled skids. If nothing else it was a lot of fun and gave us a feel of what happens when the car is out of control. The standard of the instructors was a little bit hit and miss. My other half's one kept telling him to squeeze his fingers.....after a bit of to-ing and fro-ing he realized he meant toes 
Jun 8th 2013 | 1:56 pm
#35
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 459
From: AB since Jan 2009!
Re: Arrived
Stay clear of Chevy and GMC, they still have build quality issues. With the banking crisis, the Ford/Chrysler plants were completely retooled and now have excellent build quality. My wife and i both recently replaced our vehicles and being a little A-type, i researched them all to death. Actually i'm a car nut but and like to drive something that's well-made and good financial sense when i come to replace it.
I would recommend a Hyundai SantaFe, they consistently win the awards for best in class these days and have 100k warranties. Plenty room for kids and seats. NEw 2013 has a 7 seater option back again. Really strong V6 engine, plenty power if required. Wife has had 3 in a row. Toyota Highlander is heavy and lacks grunt. Ford Explorer (after 2011) and Grand Cherokee (after 2011) are second and third after the SantaFe in no particular order. Excellent deals to be had.
You MUST get AWD or 4x4 here if you want to be safe in the ice and absolutely get winter tyres. I don't give a crap what anyone else says here, the braking performance is improved. Remember you will be living in -25c and below for a long time each year, which affects the rubber compound.
And stay clear of Chevy and GMC
Jun 11th 2013 | 10:05 am
#36
Thread Starter
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 286
From: Calgary
Re: Arrived
Welcome to Canada.
Stay clear of Chevy and GMC, they still have build quality issues. With the banking crisis, the Ford/Chrysler plants were completely retooled and now have excellent build quality. My wife and i both recently replaced our vehicles and being a little A-type, i researched them all to death. Actually i'm a car nut but and like to drive something that's well-made and good financial sense when i come to replace it.
I would recommend a Hyundai SantaFe, they consistently win the awards for best in class these days and have 100k warranties. Plenty room for kids and seats. NEw 2013 has a 7 seater option back again. Really strong V6 engine, plenty power if required. Wife has had 3 in a row. Toyota Highlander is heavy and lacks grunt. Ford Explorer (after 2011) and Grand Cherokee (after 2011) are second and third after the SantaFe in no particular order. Excellent deals to be had.
You MUST get AWD or 4x4 here if you want to be safe in the ice and absolutely get winter tyres. I don't give a crap what anyone else says here, the braking performance is improved. Remember you will be living in -25c and below for a long time each year, which affects the rubber compound.
And stay clear of Chevy and GMC
Stay clear of Chevy and GMC, they still have build quality issues. With the banking crisis, the Ford/Chrysler plants were completely retooled and now have excellent build quality. My wife and i both recently replaced our vehicles and being a little A-type, i researched them all to death. Actually i'm a car nut but and like to drive something that's well-made and good financial sense when i come to replace it.
I would recommend a Hyundai SantaFe, they consistently win the awards for best in class these days and have 100k warranties. Plenty room for kids and seats. NEw 2013 has a 7 seater option back again. Really strong V6 engine, plenty power if required. Wife has had 3 in a row. Toyota Highlander is heavy and lacks grunt. Ford Explorer (after 2011) and Grand Cherokee (after 2011) are second and third after the SantaFe in no particular order. Excellent deals to be had.
You MUST get AWD or 4x4 here if you want to be safe in the ice and absolutely get winter tyres. I don't give a crap what anyone else says here, the braking performance is improved. Remember you will be living in -25c and below for a long time each year, which affects the rubber compound.
And stay clear of Chevy and GMC
Agreed on the winter tyres, will be all over that!
Thanks again
Wayne
