4WD Fever

[Lashout_UK]

Yea smiley, just wait till the weather starts improving and any chance of snow has gone. Best to buy when it's ferociously hot and scorching You'll probably find the prices even cheaper than usual by then, what with fuel prices heading the way they are...although that does depend on what you're looking at - they're not all low-mpg nightmares

 

[chriscubed]

I must admit, whilst not being a huge car nut, I had wondered whether a 4WD might be a sensible choice for my next car if these snowy/icy conditions are to become a regular trend.
The impression I'm getting from most of you is that it might help a little but wouldn't be worth buying specifically for these conditions.
In that case - firstly what cars would you recommend for all year round use but with an eye on snow?
And secondly - What would make you buy a 4wd car instead of a 2wd?

 

[Lum]

In that case - firstly what cars would you recommend for all year round use but with an eye on snow?

One for which you can easily obtain a second set of 16" or smaller wheels to throw some winter tyres on.

And secondly - What would make you buy a 4wd car instead of a 2wd?

The fact that they're bloody good fun for titting about on the B roads in the summer?

(well you did say 4WD car, as opposed to 4x4, so I'm assuming you mean the likes of the Impreza/Evo/Skyline here)

 

[Relentless81]

You would buy an 4wd car over 2wd because of the additional grip and more predicatable handling that 4wd offers. It feels safer to drive and there is more to help you out should you get into any trouble. Some people find this boring, I actually found it quite fun because you can push the car a bit more without breaking traction but others get there kicks from breaking traction so thats why they would find it boring.
It also helps powerful turbo engines put the power to the road

 

[volospian]

In that case - firstly what cars would you recommend for all year round use but with an eye on snow?

Pretty much anything with suitable tyres....

And secondly - What would make you buy a 4wd car instead of a 2wd?

If you think you are regulalrly going to get into a situation where you can make use of the additional grip on the driven wheels. Slippery conditions, for example, or perhaps the edge of performance.

 

[InvaderGIR]

You would buy an 4wd car over 2wd because of the additional grip and more predicatable handling that 4wd offers. It feels safer to drive and there is more to help you out should you get into any trouble. Some people find this boring, I actually found it quite fun because you can push the car a bit more without breaking traction but others get there kicks from breaking traction so thats why they would find it boring.
It also helps powerful turbo engines put the power to the road

Oh I don't know, I could get the back out on a 110 Defender, and put it sideways quite happily.

 

[Hawk Tuah]

I'm feeling pretty good about my X-Trail purchase a few months ago. I bought it at the end of the summer whilst it was still sunny. Prices have shot up now.

I didn't have a probem with 2wd last winter, but I've driven in snow this winter that I know my old fiesta wouldn't of got through.

 

[WJA96]

It just so happens that 66% of our cars are 4WD - Audi TT and VW Touareg vs. the somewhat smaller Fabia vRS.

The Fabia on Hankook Icebear 310's runs rings around the Touareg on Continental summer tyres. The TT on Nokian G2's is just incredible. It's like driving on a normal road (although you need to be careful at all times).

I'd get some winter tyres for the Touareg but I just can't find any. And the autobox/ESP combination on the Touareg is pitiful on compacted now/ice. 8 gears and none of them go anywhere!

SUV's are good - no doubt, but winter tyres are more of a help than 4WD on icy roads.

As for 4WD - the TT just powers through wet bends and out of wet roundabouts. The 2.0TFSi FWD car in comparison struggles in a straight line in the low gears. So yes, I would now only buy a car with 4WD.