ChrisK

Our first US car was a Ford Escort automatic - crap. Our second car (alongside the Escort) was a Chevy Cavalier manual coupe - better, but poor build quality. Twenty years latter, and our 2nd forage in the US we went for VW - with a Beetle Auto, and a Golf estate (manual) - first as diesel and second petrol. WIth the diesel we usually got about 55 mpg (UK), petrol typically 40 mpg on our daily commute to DC - but as high as 50 mpg petrol on long trips. Why manual - you drive the car, not the other way around... . Oh , and we also had a Fiat 500 for 3 years - cool car... .

anotherlimey

I like our Santa Fe but after 2.5 years the engine gave us trouble. It is a relatively good car for the price though.

I just bought the other half a VW Tiguan, the small SUV. It's got the German car premium but I prefer the interior and the refinement.

LouisB

rbackhouse

Why don't you look at a Golf GTI. The hatch makes it a lot more practical. You can also get the DSG transmission and have the best of both manual and automatic worlds. Should run cheaper than an A3 too. You might be able to pick up a 2017 when the 6 year bumper-to bumper warranty was introduced too.

Mr Weeze

Mrsbb01

Hi RollingStones!

I am new on here and seen through old forums that you have moved from the UK to Philadelphia?? I am about to do the same move and on the hunt for some help/advice! I tried to private message but it wouldn't let me as I haven't ever posted before! Hope to connect!

LouisB

Just to get back on this, we ended up with a good deal on a nearly new 1 year old Ford Escape SE with low mileage. Has a few good bits, eco boost engine, 6 speed, pano moonroof, AWD, heated seats etc.

while perhaps not the most sophisticated SUV after over 6 months and 5k miles I can say it has worked out well. Easy to drive, plenty of room with the baby also and stroller, practical, economic, good visibility and so on. Feels dependable, we’ll happily go on road trips with it.

I’m sure we’ll upgrade in a year or two but it’s been a good choice so far overall...

just thought I’d report back. Within out needs and initial budget it’s been solid and no regrets.

thanks for all the ideas.

Ecto17

tht

LouisB

Yes, had a couple of winters, not looking forward to driving in the ice and snow but we will see. Hoping to keep it to a minimum.

I’m with you on that, especially with a new baby to carry around. In the end that’s why I went for an SUV with TC and AWD, bit of extra safety and practicality.

Some of the roads around here are like a construction site so the clearance is needed, I’m sure you could lose a sump or front bumper around here with a low car.

I’ll check my tyres, suspect they are all season, all weather general tyres, hopefully will be up to the job. Seem to have plenty of tread.

Rete

I'm 71 years old. I lived in Westchester County for 68 years and drove for 50 of those years. I had to drive from there to Stamford, Connecticut to the office and after work to my second job in Tarrytown, NY and never had AWD / 4X4. My town was known for its steep hills and I have made it up one such hill with a 4 cyc Datsun while a big old heavy Cadillac couldn't do it.

If you learn how to properly drive in snow and ice, you don't need AWD. Never had an accident in the snow or ice and I drove through and in all types of weather.

LouisB

l’ve driven all vehicles, 2wd, fwd, awd, true 4wd.
it really depends on the terrain, route, road clearing/salting and how hilly it is. On an incline no amount of driving technique may help, even driving in reverse has limits.
my Uk 4wd was a proper ex rally car and there was no contest, it would leave any 2wd totally ’stuck in the mud’ regardless of driver.

I recall a time in the U.K. our fwd got snowed in on a flat and absolutely could not get out, meanwhile my true 4wd had not the slightest issue..

in many ways rwd is the worst of the lot in slippery conditions, although it does depend just how slow you’re prepared to go and the above road conditions.

I’d admit in many regular snowy conditions rwd can cope, especially on the flat roads and even more so if cleared from time to time and on a route that is predictable, one you know well.

nice thing about awd is it’s the best of all worlds, 2wd when awd is not needed, for efficiency and 4wd when traction reaches the limit.

for now happy not to take chances, while I probably would be fine in a 2wd on most roads, I’d rather not take unnecessary chances, especially with the baby, on routes I’m not always totally familiar with by having driven along the same way for years and years.

Rete

NP! I was happy driving my Hyundai Elantra and Sonota in some very heavy New York snowstorms over the years. Yonkers is very hilly and the hills can be 45 degrees or more and I was fine. Back then when the kids were small there were no car seats and no AWD/4x4 so we drove what was available. Accidents don't have to be your fault but the fault of the other driver. Stay safe this winter.

LouisB

some cars definitely better than others.

ironically sportier cars with fat low profile tyres and stiff suspension are much worse in the snow. Skinny tyres help a lot, as does softer suspension.

I used to drive my classic triumph (rwd) in the snow and ice, any weather. Loved it. It was tones of fun. Not sure it was the safest option, although I never crashed it in hundreds of thousands of miles

my fastest car owned, a Supra mkiv twin turbo with about 500bhp at rear wheels was hopeless in the snow. That was rwd with lsd, but fat low profile tyre and solid suspension, made it useless in the snow, like a rocket in the dry though, 200mph no issue.

conversely my Lancia with perm 4wd was a blast in the snow. Much slower in the dry but in the snow much better than the supra. 4wd beats rwd in those slippery cases. Otherwise rwd is fine, as is fwd, hence awd is a good bet for general purpose and ever changing conditions, about 99% of all normal driving is fine under 2wd, rwd or fwd. rwd is best in a sports car designed for fast dry good weather track and smooth road imho but every once in a while awd or 4wd might just prove vital.

LouisB

Probably should start a new thread but I’ll try on the end of this firstly.

when it comes to a servicing, particularly oil and filter, in NYC area, any recommendations? If I take to a chain like jiffylube is that any good. Can I chose the oil (make) and how much should it cost in total, approximately, to do including new filter?

also when it comes to tires, any advice? I seem to have a tire that loses pressure over a few weeks, wondering whether to get 2 replaced with new or see if someone can reseal it. Is there a good drive-in chain for tyres? Maybe a place that can do both for a decent price?