What car to get
Oct 24th 2011, 5:58 pm
#31
Lowering the tone
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Here and there
Posts: 7,349
Re: What car to get
Last time we had this argument I went and counted not only in the car park but at the dump. What people drive to a dump in a part of the country rural enough not to have dustmen seems to me to be a good indictation of what's actual needed. Out there no one has snow tyres, they're as urban a phenomenon as SUVs.
I quite liked them because I didn't have to roll that stop sign but they're a long way done my list of essentials. I wouldn't, for example, switch to domestic beer to afford them.
I quite liked them because I didn't have to roll that stop sign but they're a long way done my list of essentials. I wouldn't, for example, switch to domestic beer to afford them.
City driving means having to brake for traffic lights and morons every 50 yards - that's much easier to do with "good winter boots", as I believe the jargon goes.
Oct 24th 2011, 8:07 pm
#32
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2007
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 239
Re: What car to get
We have just changed to an SUV for safety, not too sure what the snow is like over in Calgary but going on the snow fall we had here in Ontario last year personally I wanted a bigger car. 
You can pick up a good bargain if you are good at haggling Hope this helps
You can pick up a good bargain if you are good at haggling Hope this helps
Oct 24th 2011, 8:10 pm
#33
ModerĪ±tor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: What car to get
What did you have and what is safer about the new one?
Oct 24th 2011, 8:12 pm
#34
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,363
Re: What car to get
Calgary gets less snow on average than almost everywhere in Ontario...including Toronto...but it can get colder temps but also warmer temps in the winter (chinooks). In other words the winter in Calgary has more variation and more sunshine than an Ontario winter.
Oct 24th 2011, 8:13 pm
#35
Part Time Poster
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 4,219
Re: What car to get
I changed from an SUV Ford escapewith 4x4 to a Ford Focus with winter tires after about three years driving here, stops much quicker, handles on snow and ice much better, great for the comute, and we keep the SUV for the forays to the ski hill and out to the provincal parks for the winter hikes where deep snow might be a real issue..
My only concern in the focus in the winter is being hit up the rear by a truck or SUV trying to use its 4x4 but with all seasons on!!!
My only concern in the focus in the winter is being hit up the rear by a truck or SUV trying to use its 4x4 but with all seasons on!!!
Oct 24th 2011, 8:20 pm
#36
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: London, Ontario, eh?
Posts: 1,175
Re: What car to get
No, the rubber is the critical factor, everything else is entirely dependent on having grip. My Civic has ABS, but no traction or ESP, and to be honest ABS probably makes stopping in snow worse as it cuts in before the tread has cut through the snow, but at least I can steer while its doing it. If you need ESP, then simply put you are an idiot and you are driving way too fast for the conditions.
Ice and snow are not the only enemy, even on dry tarmac, when its -20 regular rubber is rock hard and wont grip worth a damn, and that wont be unusual in a Calgary winter.
Ice and snow are not the only enemy, even on dry tarmac, when its -20 regular rubber is rock hard and wont grip worth a damn, and that wont be unusual in a Calgary winter.
We drive a 2006 VW Jetta TDi (Manual transmission). We swap our alloys for winter tyres and steel rims and drive around happily in London, Ontario all winter. Even when Mother nature deposits 1.5 metres of snow in 36 hours, we still manage to get around.
What makes us smile is the fact that the cold stuff arrives every year without fail and yet people still drive as if its the first time they have ever seen snow!
Intersection T-bones and hapless drivers wondering why they cannot stop on a dime are a constant source of amusement.
Remember that speed IS a factor in every collision (accident implies that no-one is to blame - Hot Fuzz)
Last winter, the Ontario Provincial Police closed the 402 Highway, yet drivers moved the barriers (incidentally this also invalidates your car insurance) and then wondered why they got stuck for 24 hours in dangerously cold conditions - one poor soul died within metres of a house.
No matter how short the journey, make sure you have a winter kit in the trunk. Warm clothing, water, food, flashlight, light sticks, etc. See: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/saf...terdrive.shtml
If you want to stay in control, invest in snow tyres, a manual transmission and give yourself thinking and stopping time.
Oh, and watch out for the buggers who signal after they make the turn - oh, how we laugh!!
Oct 24th 2011, 8:34 pm
#37
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,363
Re: What car to get
Last winter, the Ontario Provincial Police closed the 402 Highway, yet drivers moved the barriers (incidentally this also invalidates your car insurance) and then wondered why they got stuck for 24 hours in dangerously cold conditions - one poor soul died within metres of a house.
Love your use of metric.
Oct 24th 2011, 11:31 pm
#38
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,986
Re: What car to get
I have a set of winter tyres for the Jag. Should make all the difference when the supercharger kicks in
Oct 24th 2011, 11:49 pm
#39
Slightly Canadian
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: St. John's, Newfoundland
Posts: 10,129
Re: What car to get
Don't be silly. As soon as it gets damp/cold, the electrics will fail and it will sit on your drive. Or whereever it broke down. Lucas, prince of darkness and all that.
Oct 25th 2011, 12:16 am
#40
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Joined: Apr 2007
Location: London, Ontario, eh?
Posts: 1,175
Oct 25th 2011, 12:18 am
#41
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Joined: Apr 2007
Location: London, Ontario, eh?
Posts: 1,175
Re: What car to get
Oct 25th 2011, 12:45 am
#42
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,986
Re: What car to get
I am actually in the process of trying to convince the OH that we should buy a rather nice X-type as a practical 4WD winter car. Her response involved John Prescott.....
Oct 25th 2011, 12:53 am
#43
Slightly Canadian
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: St. John's, Newfoundland
Posts: 10,129
Re: What car to get
Oct 25th 2011, 3:44 am
#44
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 10,612
Re: What car to get
About a grand give or take for a bimmer. depends on rim size, brand name, etc.
Get them on a 2nd set of steel rims, its a lot more convenient that way, and it saves your alloys from salt and kerb damage.
You can often get them used on the kijiji classifieds, but its a bit of a lottery.
Get them on a 2nd set of steel rims, its a lot more convenient that way, and it saves your alloys from salt and kerb damage.
You can often get them used on the kijiji classifieds, but its a bit of a lottery.
Oct 25th 2011, 9:55 am
#45
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 66
Re: What car to get
Thanks for the comments guys. I was thinking of getting a SUV before but now I think I will strongly consider a standard car. The low mpg's that are got with SUV's means there wont be much of a saving on fuel costs, and I will probably spend as much as I do back home.
Unless someone knows of dood priced version that gives decent mpg. Maybe like a Nissan Juke or something.
Unless someone knows of dood priced version that gives decent mpg. Maybe like a Nissan Juke or something.