[Mustangshar]

Ok Snow Belt people..need some info please.

I am considering a second car so I don't have to DRIVE my Stang sideways anymore when we get snow...it was horrible Tuesday. Sideways...nuff said.

Soooooo...I am looking at Ford Certified Used 08 Escapes. Found a nice one...V6 leather and just may be affordable. Question is...in Chicago we get nasty Winters and the past 2 Winters we don't seem to get the little 1" snows...we get hit with 3-6" at a time.

Can the Front wheel drive be good enough for me? OR should I look for 4WD? I mean it's still an SUV with those big tires and my thought is I am not in the country I am in city/suburbs.

I'm going back to my dealer Saturday to finish road testing...so if you or know of people who have Escape...can you check in with them tonight and see if they have 2WD and how well or NOT well it does in snow?

Thank you all very much for any help.

[ReverendDexter]

The one time you'll need 4WD, it'll be worth it.

[06RedfireGT]

4x4 for sure.

[fairlane_68]

A real 4x4 would be alot better than an Escape. Think Ranger 4x4.

[ReverendDexter]

Originally Posted by fairlane_68 A real 4x4 would be alot better than an Escape. Think Ranger 4x4.

Are you serious? Pickups are the worst 4WDs you could be in for snow unless you carry abound a bunch of weight in the back, and even then you're limited on your seating unless you go with a crew cab.

Honestly, an Outback would be 10x better than even the Escape, but I know that falls on deaf ears with this crowd.

[Mustangshar]

A real 4x4, huh? : ) The pretend one wasn't bad...but seriously I will take all into consideration. I just got messages from my Chicago area and actually the 2WD works surprisingly well here from the guys that have them. We'll see. I know the guys at the dealer very well, I put on their Stang shows and been going there for years. they will not screw me on the deal or sell me a POS.

This is funny everyone here is 4WD and everyone there is 2WD is fine. It's early yet we'll see what others have to say.


I truly appreciate the input-having 2 car payments will be tough and it's a long financial committment. Job is secure, medical claims and we all get sick no matter what....I can afford it it'll be tight tho.

So any SUV 2WD'ers here?? Lets hear from you. Thanks a bunch Guys.: )

[fairlane_68]

Originally Posted by ReverendDexter Are you serious? Pickups are the worst 4WDs you could be in for snow unless you carry abound a bunch of weight in the back, and even then you're limited on your seating unless you go with a crew cab. Honestly, an Outback would be 10x better than even the Escape, but I know that falls on deaf ears with this crowd.

Come on now...comparing a Subaru to an Escape is like comparing apples to a hammer. Subaru hands down is the better snow vehicle. But, when I say "real 4x4" I'm thinking manual hubs, lever on the floor, not some pushbutton sissymobile. My 4600-pound Bronco has never had a problem in snow, at any depth. My diesel F-250 didn't have a problem either as long as the hubs were engaged. The weight up front is what makes a difference.

But if I were one to be looking at a winter vehicle and I had a family to consider, I'd be looking at a crew cab Ranger or similar lifted with 33" Boggers with the treads reversed. But that's just me.

[timberwolf]

I myself love the option of 4WD if and when ya ever need it, but I'm sure a front wheel drive will do ya ok, in city driving.

But if the $$$ isnt much diff I'd go 4wd 4 sure...its just nice to have if ya need it..and someday ya might venture out of the burbs and it could be a handy little save all...

[Mustangshar]

Originally Posted by ReverendDexter Are you serious? Pickups are the worst 4WDs you could be in for snow unless you carry abound a bunch of weight in the back, and even then you're limited on your seating unless you go with a crew cab. Honestly, an Outback would be 10x better than even the Escape, but I know that falls on deaf ears with this crowd.

Actually it doesn't surprise me that Subaru Outback is great. One of my friends owned a Suzuiki <sp> SUV and she raved about it and another has a DD Subaru wagon-LOVES IT!!

Yes, I know people with pick ups...nope. Plus I'm in a condo and believe this, we have rules forbidding TRUCKS. You cannot park one in your own driveway!! Its true!!: ) SUV doesn't fall in that catagory but it will always be outside.

[fairlane_68]

Originally Posted by Mustangshar A real 4x4, huh? : ) The pretend one wasn't bad...but seriously I will take all into consideration. I just got messages from my Chicago area and actually the 2WD works surprisingly well here from the guys that have them. We'll see. I know the guys at the dealer very well, I put on their Stang shows and been going there for years. they will not screw me on the deal or sell me a POS. This is funny everyone here is 4WD and everyone there is 2WD is fine. It's early yet we'll see what others have to say. I truly appreciate the input-having 2 car payments will be tough and it's a long financial committment. Job is secure, medical claims and we all get sick no matter what....I can afford it it'll be tight tho. So any SUV 2WD'ers here?? Lets hear from you. Thanks a bunch Guys.: )

I take it you're in the city, not outside of town? If they're normally quick to salt and sand the roads, and keep the roads clear all the time, a 4x4/AWD might not make much difference. You would benefit from it, but you may not notice it depending on the road maintanence.

[ReverendDexter]

Originally Posted by fairlane_68 Come on now...comparing a Subaru to an Escape is like comparing apples to a hammer. Subaru hands down is the better snow vehicle. But, when I say "real 4x4" I'm thinking manual hubs, lever on the floor, not some pushbutton sissymobile. My 4600-pound Bronco has never had a problem in snow, at any depth. My diesel F-250 didn't have a problem either as long as the hubs were engaged. The weight up front is what makes a difference. But if I were one to be looking at a winter vehicle and I had a family to consider, I'd be looking at a crew cab Ranger or similar lifted with 33" Boggers with the treads reversed. But that's just me.

Ah, okay! On that I totally agree - push-button 4WD and auto locking hubs are fail. I've got autolocking hubs on my '96 and I despise them (but at least Ford went back to a proper transfercase lever after FSBs being pushbutton for a few years!).

That reminds me I need to get some different tires on mine soon... the DPO's tire choice was based purely on looks, so I'm stuck with these chunky, unsiped, loud-as-crap-yet-no-traction behemoths rather than some appropriate treaded snow tires.

[fairlane_68]

Goodyear Wrangler MTR's...great tires...on and off road.

[Mustangshar]

Originally Posted by timberwolf I myself love the option of 4WD if and when ya ever need it, but I'm sure a front wheel drive will do ya ok, in city driving. But if the $$$ isnt much diff I'd go 4wd 4 sure...its just nice to have if ya need it..and someday ya might venture out of the burbs and it could be a handy little save all...

I'll check the pricing and see what's available for Certified USED..agree would be nice to know it's there. But it sure is a cute little SUV, I was very comfortable driving it. Not that I LIKE it..it's only transportation. Hmmmm maybe some rims, stripes..j/k nahhhhh...just a ride. Moonroof MAYBE!!

Thanks Wolf! and everyone: )

[Exodus]

If I were you I would look into buying a used something. If nothing else, get an old pos to get you by. I live in NE, and the snow storms here are fairly predictable, I would imagine that IL is somewhat the same, so buy something your not going to spend the next year and a half eating rice and beans to afford. Its not like you have to drive it everyday, just the slick ones.

[Mustangshar]

Originally Posted by Exodus If I were you I would look into buying a used something. If nothing else, get an old pos to get you by. I live in NE, and the snow storms here are fairly predictable, I would imagine that IL is somewhat the same, so buy something your not going to spend the next year and a half eating rice and beans to afford. Its not like you have to drive it everyday, just the slick ones.

Yeah I am specifically looking at Certified Used Escapes with full warrantee and actually it'll be my daily driver. : )