Car mavens, buffs, afficianados....

[ForeverAutumn]

I'm on my second Escape (I lease every three years). My last Escape was an '05 and had 4WD. I got the 4WD because I was in sales and covering Northern Ontario. 4WD was not an option in that situation. It not only got me through many a snowstorm and icestorm, but it got me home during a major flash flood when other vehicles were stalling in the intersections or didn't have the power to plow through the water. In May I traded in my '05 for an '08. Because I now do mostly city driving I decided to save some cash and not get a 4WD model. It's not even winter yet and I already miss it. Even with traction control, I can feel the difference on wet rainy roads. If my next car is another Escape, I'll get the 4WD. But other than that, I love my car! It's pretty good on gas on the highway, not so good in the city. So consider where you'll be doing the most driving.

Another make to consider for a good winter vehicle is Subaru. I test drove a Forrester in '05 and this past winter (I try to do all my test driving in the winter). From what I could tell, they handle great in the snow. The downside is price. I don't know what US prices are like, but in Canada they are pretty expensive for what you get. Not a lot of bells and whistles or power, but they'll get you through the weather and have a safety record that can't be beat.

[bobsticks]

Thanks for the input Autumn. Good stuff from someone with practical experience...and given that the bulk of my driving miles are on the highway I might expect to have similar good fortune.

Chalk up one for the Escape.

I'm gonna have to Google "MX-6 or whatever" and arrange a head-to-head

[ForeverAutumn]

Thanks for the input Autumn. Good stuff from someone with practical experience...and given that the bulk of my driving miles are on the highway I might expect to have similar good fortune.

Chalk up one for the Escape.

I'm gonna have to Google "MX-6 or whatever" and arrange a head-to-head

Oh yeah, and you can lay the back seats down completely flat.

[bobsticks]

Oh yeah, and you can lay the back seats down completely flat.

That's wot ahm talkembout bay-bay.