03-01-2017, 02:32 PM
Speedy wrote:
What billb said! I live in a city similar to Madison. Flat and winter is different than hilly and winter. Madison is flat country. I have lived in Minnesota all my life and never owned anything but two wheel drive vehicles. Rear wheel drive meant occasionally getting stuck but I have never been stuck with front wheel drive. And I never use snow tires. Buy what you like and don't worry about winter because you'll hunker down on the few bad weather days. Save four wheel drive for your snowblower (like I did)!
Love our Chevy Volt!
It depends on what you do. When it snows here during the work day and plows go by there are ALWAYS a dozen people on the block behind the building who can't get their Civic/Volt/any low to the ground FWD car out of their street parking spot. They have to shovel out their car. I just drive right out. Again, it really depends on how and where you are going. If you park in a ramp and have a garage at home FWD is pretty safe except for a handful of days. You will either need to shovel your driveway or use a snow blower to get over the mound at the bottom from the plow though. The Vibe is too low to get over the snow plow mounds, but the Forester can drive right over them with ease. When you are rushing to get out the door in the morning and don't have time to shovel an AWD SUV is worth its weight in gold just for the convienece and peace of mind.
The number of coworkers who call in to be a few hours late because they can't get out every time it snows 6" is anoying to say the least.