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Re: Do I really need a 4 wheel drive
Would minivans such as toyota sienna and honda odyssey be considered okay to use on snow covered roads? I remember some of the minor residential streets in St Albert near Edmonton were reasonably hilly and if these sorts of roads are low priority for clearing snow then they could be tricky for quite a few days in the winter. I'd be a bit dubious about these heavy vehicles making easy progress on snow covered inclines.
Once you start to look at 4WD versions of the minivans it seems from the prices you may as well go for a mid SUV such as a highlander or pilot instead. Anyone got experience of these or similar vehicles? |
Re: Do I really need a 4 wheel drive
Originally Posted by Steve_P
(Post 6969642)
Absolutely!!!!
Interesting side note, I have noticed much, much more advertising pushing winter tires this year than in any other years past. |
Re: Do I really need a 4 wheel drive
Originally Posted by jimf
(Post 6969805)
Would minivans such as toyota sienna and honda odyssey be considered okay to use on snow covered roads? I remember some of the minor residential streets in St Albert near Edmonton were reasonably hilly and if these sorts of roads are low priority for clearing snow then they could be tricky for quite a few days in the winter. I'd be a bit dubious about these heavy vehicles making easy progress on snow covered inclines.
Once you start to look at 4WD versions of the minivans it seems from the prices you may as well go for a mid SUV such as a highlander or pilot instead. Anyone got experience of these or similar vehicles? Why would you go for a SUV with less practical space? The AWD vans usually start off life as up spec before AWD is added, same is true of many cars too, hence the heavy sticker shock...Subaru are the only people who seem to do base spec with AWD. Subaru with snow tires is the choice for my family in the winter, but as everyone else has said, winter tires are far more important than AWD for safety. |
Re: Do I really need a 4 wheel drive
Originally Posted by jimf
(Post 6969805)
Would minivans such as toyota sienna and honda odyssey be considered okay to use on snow covered roads? I remember some of the minor residential streets in St Albert near Edmonton were reasonably hilly and if these sorts of roads are low priority for clearing snow then they could be tricky for quite a few days in the winter. I'd be a bit dubious about these heavy vehicles making easy progress on snow covered inclines.
Once you start to look at 4WD versions of the minivans it seems from the prices you may as well go for a mid SUV such as a highlander or pilot instead. Anyone got experience of these or similar vehicles? |
Re: Do I really need a 4 wheel drive
Originally Posted by jimf
(Post 6969805)
Would minivans such as toyota sienna and honda odyssey be considered okay to use on snow covered roads? I remember some of the minor residential streets in St Albert near Edmonton were reasonably hilly and if these sorts of roads are low priority for clearing snow then they could be tricky for quite a few days in the winter. I'd be a bit dubious about these heavy vehicles making easy progress on snow covered inclines.
Once you start to look at 4WD versions of the minivans it seems from the prices you may as well go for a mid SUV such as a highlander or pilot instead. Anyone got experience of these or similar vehicles?
Originally Posted by iaink
(Post 6969822)
Heavy, FWD, Snow Tires = No problem.
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Re: Do I really need a 4 wheel drive
Originally Posted by jimf
(Post 6969805)
Would minivans such as toyota sienna and honda odyssey be considered okay to use on snow covered roads? I remember some of the minor residential streets in St Albert near Edmonton were reasonably hilly and if these sorts of roads are low priority for clearing snow then they could be tricky for quite a few days in the winter. I'd be a bit dubious about these heavy vehicles making easy progress on snow covered inclines.
Once you start to look at 4WD versions of the minivans it seems from the prices you may as well go for a mid SUV such as a highlander or pilot instead. Anyone got experience of these or similar vehicles? |
Re: Do I really need a 4 wheel drive
1 Attachment(s)
Originally Posted by maggieg
(Post 6969236)
I am about to move over to Okotoks in the new year. Everything is booked and am thinking about what car to buy. As you only get a few days 'snow' a year and the roads are cleared quickly (so I am told) do I really need a big 4 wheel drive truck. I would like to work with the environment, and get a smaller car or a hybrid.
I won't be doing too much driving, just around town and trips to calgary. |
Re: Do I really need a 4 wheel drive
Originally Posted by Jingsamichty
(Post 6969383)
Don't try to offset the absolutely horrendous environmental impact of the average Albertan suburban/commuter town lifestyle simply by driving a hybrid and thinking it makes you green. It's a mere drop in the ocean.
Personally I like a 4x4 and have just changed from a small SUV to a Ford Explorer.............3 times the size and exactly the same fuel economy |
Re: Do I really need a 4 wheel drive
Originally Posted by Jingsamichty
(Post 6969793)
Ha ha! You just reminded me of being 16 again, in Scotland in the winter!
I came off my Vespa on a stretch of sheet ice, and me and the scooter slid along the road for about 100 yards. When we stopped, I picked it up, and there wasn't a scratch on either of us. Happy days! |
Re: Do I really need a 4 wheel drive
Thankyou everyone for the information.
As it will be my car, it will be the 'second' car, so if the weather is bad I can always use the 'other' car. We can check out all the cars when we arrive in January. See you over there soon!! |
Re: Do I really need a 4 wheel drive
It's Alberta. Presumably you need a lifted F250 just so the neighbours don't wonder at the effete 'yurpian who has moved in next door?:D
Out in the Far East we don't need 4x4's in winter. Oh not at all..... http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...1671Medium.jpg |
Re: Do I really need a 4 wheel drive
Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat
(Post 6971271)
It's Alberta. Presumably you need a lifted F250 just so the neighbours don't wonder at the effete 'yurpian who has moved in next door?
Must check to see if I'm still in Alberta. ;) |
Re: Do I really need a 4 wheel drive
Originally Posted by Steve_P
(Post 6971320)
Hmmm...my neighbor drives a Camry, the guy across the street has a Ford Windstar, the guy behind has a Honda Civic, I drive one of them thar Camry hybrid thingies. Not an F150, F250 etc. in sight.:confused:
Must check to see if I'm still in Alberta. ;) |
Re: Do I really need a 4 wheel drive
Originally Posted by jimf
(Post 6969805)
Would minivans such as toyota sienna and honda odyssey be considered okay to use on snow covered roads? ?
Originally Posted by iaink
(Post 6969822)
Heavy, FWD, Snow Tires = No problem. Mostly they have standard traction control anyway.
Why would you go for a SUV with less practical space? The AWD vans usually start off life as up spec before AWD is added, same is true of many cars too, hence the heavy sticker shock...Subaru are the only people who seem to do base spec with AWD. Subaru with snow tires is the choice for my family in the winter, but as everyone else has said, winter tires are far more important than AWD for safety. Last winter the Caravan was superb in the snow - heavy yet responsive. The Subaru was the "vespa on ice" as described beautifully above. Turns out I had been driving the Caravan with winter tyres all year ( :o we thought they were all-season) and Subaru was on regular tyres. The Subaru will be getting some new boots any day now ! |
Re: Do I really need a 4 wheel drive
You don't really need four wheel drive but its better to have it than not , I live in Okotoks and both our cars are 4 wheel drive , Wouldn't ever go back to 2 wheel drive after last winter, Car just feels so much more secure in the snow and ice although you have to bear in mind that doesn't lead to a false sense of security .
Also comes in handy when visiting the Rockies and you decide to take a trip down one of the many gravel roads out there. Here's a scene from last winter .... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...a/DSC00110.jpg |
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