Do you have a car GOOD IN SNOW/HIGH WINDS?

[Heated]

Current 2nd car is a reliable workhorse (dh 'gifted' me his Mondeo) but is rubbish in snow, even with grip tyres, and is easily buffeted in high winds. Last winter when it snowed it didn't make hills that other cars were doing comfortably & it's a nervy drive in icy conditions. On the positive side I do know how to correct a skid!

We're looking to replace it with a 2nd hand car that takes 3 children. We've looked at:

Volvo V70 estate
Volkswagon Touran estate
Peugeot 307 estate
Ford Galaxy
Honda FRV
Renault Grand Scenic Estate

Are any of these good or should we be considering something else? Budget-wise going to be about 10k.

Daisy - as I read your post I was wondering what you called her!

We are v sad here. And worse because I'm not even ashamed .

Today she has some very fetching mud dingleberries hanging off her. It's a good look I think.

Fab thank you Swissmiss (and particularly your petrolhead dh) and Sobloodygrumpy. Am making extensive notes to take to the dealer!
We've never had snow tyres, just special grip, but will investigate further. Nokian have been recommended.

Do really like the VW passat - will look for the 4 motion version

No worries Heated. DH has just choked into his red wine at being called a petrolhead and clutched his chest. Veggiehead (our cars run on used chip fat) or at a pinch dieselhead he can accept but petrolhead is almost slanderous.

Forgot to mention that snow tyres are also called MUD & SNOW (M&S) as they are not just designed for snowy conditions. He says that Nokian are ok too! They come up ok on the website list I linked to.

Daisy - are they all the way up her left side like on my car from having to hug the verges when passing others? I've only just rediscovered that mine is not a two tone Cruella de Ville style black/silver split having, after much nagging, taken it to the car wash this week.

Your list of suitable cars is not a list of cars suitable for use in snow.

You need a proper 4WD, Jeep Cherokee Toyota Land Cruiser, Mitsubishi Shogun etc fitted with proper Mud & Snow tyres.

Soft roaders wont do it, BTW, I live in the highlands!

I wish I'd seen this thread earlier. DH has a Seat Ibiza that breaks down if you drive through a puddle. A puddle!

What about a Subaru?

My car is totally useless in snow... i just stay in bed

cool but useless

Rubbish we have a Saab 93 with winter tyres fitted and it is fine, we live in Canada! DH has been given a ford escape hybrid for work, with winter tyres, and it's all over the road. He was going to give it to me to drive on my workdays, but says the Saab is much better. You don't need a 4x4 for the snow.

The Ford Escape is a soft roader though! Any car will get a long way in snow with snowchains fitted, but as snow in the southern part of the UK lasts from breakfast till lunchtime, I'm inclined to agree with the poster who suggests just staying in bed!:-D

Agree with JMS - you need a 4x4 if you need ground clearance. They're not a necessity for snow driving on normal metalled roads, even ones which are mountain passes. BTW, I used to live in Switzerland and learnt to drive there so do have some experience in the matter.

Lunar - with your smart that sounds like a good plan!

We don't live in the Highlands where a proper 4x4 makes practical sense but we are in the sticks where roads don't get gritted but part of my commute is motorway so trying to make it economical to drive all year round is important too - a TLC is way beyond budget and I'm closing my eyes at the thought of the cost to re-fuel! But heck, our car didn't even make it up the drive when it snowed this year.

But am taking all ideas on board, so thank you for posting. Better tyres and a more practical car definitely the way to go.

Swissmiss... I lurve my smartie. Am suprised you recognised it... not many do

Whilst the Canadians and Swiss use snow blowers and ploughs to open main roads, a gentle sprinkle of rock salt is the usual snow clearance for many parts of the UK. That's where the OP is from and will be snow driving I believe.

They are harsh on petrol but I would recommend a Subaru Legacy for snow driving. Brilliant car but can be pricey for parts.

Lunar - and it's a roadster too! Dh's got a good mate who's big time into smarts, does the meets and loads of customising and mods etc. Last time I saw him he had a roadster.

Yes, but it seems in the UK, that 1/2" on the ground stops everything! We've just had a foot today, the main roads will get cleared (the one road in and out of our tiny town), but we'll be on snow in the surburban streets for awhile, especially as it's a weekend....

swissmiss... where does your DH's roadster mate live? I go to some smart meets too. Ask your friend if he is a member of the website theroadster.net - I am on there as themoon66

Not proper snow driving like you lot do but just want a more robust, practical car (with the tyres) that makes a better job of it than the fair-weather car we have now. It's very irritating how the English can't cope with a sprinkling of snow or ice.

I know westcoastdad was explaining softroaders were differnet to off roaders, but I did find my RAV4 was ok for the few weeks snow we got in Lincolnshire.

It got me moving out of car parks etc when others were stuck with spinning wheels.

swissmiss - the dingleberries are mostly on the LHS!

However on closer inspection I note it's impossible to see the original colour anywhere on the car except the roof and part of the B pillar. I am a muddy car slut.

I wonder if they'll let me in the car wash?

UK is where I'm from too and I drive here as well. Most rural roads in Switz don't get treated at all so one has to drive on snow there too. Just trying to pass on benefit of my experience of having had a "soft" car, rear wheel drive at that, equipped with M&S tyres and used it both here and on the continent.

M&S tyres are def a cheaper option (and safer than normal tyres), unless of course you are wanting/needing to replace your car anyway.

daisy - i did spend 5 mins with the jet wash getting the worst of the dirt off before going in the car wash. I spent the money I saved on the 50% off car wash on the jet washer! DH was most worried that the car wash would leave loads of scratches with so much crap on the car hence the "pre-treatment"! Dunno why I bothered though, 2 trips to school and she's a mess again.

lunar - his car

swissmiss... I am a member of his website too.. smartmaniacs, but I dont post on it much... www.theroadster.net is much better