Moved from Tampa FL to Toledo Ohio. Been off the forum about 3 or so months but back to help if anyone needs it.

Never seen snow before (Seriously) and I have FWD so I think I will have an interesting winter. I may trade her in after the winter when funds permit. Wife wants a B8 but I actually am considering a 2.0 Q5 or maybe a Q7 for better road claerance in the winter.

 

Heh. As long you drive carefully, you'll be just fine. I grew up in Chicago, and went to UM, and only ever had FWD.

 

welcome back!

my golf does well in canadian winters with all season tires but this year i'm getting winter tires all around.

 

I ended up with a A4 FWD loaner once during one of the nasty West Michigan snow storms we get. It definitly did not do as well as my quattro, but just take it easy. I would not worry about a Q5 or Q7. I can get through a fairly deep amount of snow without a problem. The only time I had any trouble with the quattro, was in a X-country ski parking area. The car was going through the fresh snow like a champ, and without realizing it the snow hid a gradual slope, and I was going really deep. Fortunately I realized the car was starting to bog down, and backed out. To my suprise, I looked forward to see how deep the car had plowed the snow with the front bumper before I backed out.

 

That sounds good. I plan on keeping my GTI for a real long time but my wife has to work at the hospital no matter what. No snow days off for her as she is required to show up to deliver babies. You can't schedule those. Thats why I was thinking SUV for her.

 

FWD is quite adequate in the snow. Just remember there's a learning curve to driving in that junk and take your time. I personally don't think it's worth trading up to a Q (unless you just really want one) just for that.

When my wife's Jeep Grand Cherokee falls apart, I would like to get a Q7 to replace it, but that's a good 5+ years off (I hope).

 

The front drive will get you through, but it won't be as good in bad situations. I also noticed lots of wheel spin that was not present when I drove in the same conditions with my quatto. It reminded me of my Jetta GLX which could be very tricky in the snow. Funny thing is my Sister has a Q7 but lives in Atlanta. The SUV is is great in snow, but hers will most likely never see a single flake.

If you do get a quattro, just be careful around corners. Don't get overconfident. I found that the quattro like a RWD kicks its' rear end out much easier in corners than a FWD.

 

thanks for the tips. I am digging the Q5 too and now they have the 2.0 turbo. Chipped it should be nice.