Moving to the western slope!

[87-325ic]

So folks,

i just found out ill be spending a few months out in Grand Junction, Colorado. I 'll be getting to take advantage of all the great canyons and such out there.

Now i do A Lot of climbing and hiking, and love driving in those areas.. (ill spend a bunch of time out towards moab and stuff too!)

Will an e30 be a good choice for ride out there? i realize it will start snowing some later this year, and i know rear wheel drive isnt optimal with that.

Who thinks an e30 is a good choice of ride while out here?

(other ideas were a Subie, (leased or bought used), a jeep cherokee, or an e30ix)

Come on guys, what should i expect out there?

[colorado_cabrio]

An e30 cabrio would be fun for sure, but a tough every day car. The snow isn't totally gone in GJ yet, and will start to fall again in september/october.

It's less about traction in the snow, than maybe trip up dirt road to get to a trail head where I'd really prefer a suby or jeep. Either of which can be had in abundance used out here on craigslist.

[Roland H]

E30iX or a Jeep would be optimal. You could easily get away with a rwd E30 though.

Having the right tires for the right situation is what matters most. For example, I'd take a rwd E30 with an open diff with snow tires over a 4wd/awd car of any kind with all seasons.

You will need a dedicated set of snows.

A cabrio is a poor choice for a Colorado car, unless you plan on driving it in the summer only, and don't plan on any highway use.

[iamsam]

ain't nothing wrong with a RWD E30 w/ an LSD and proper snow tires. I pwn most cars on the road in my 318is in the snow, and it is lowered. But maybe that is because everyone in CO drives 75 under the speed limit every time it snows, i dunno. I have been stuck ONCE, yes, on an up hill where I came to a stop and couldn't get going, but to be honest my snow tires kind of suck by today's standards. (they are old, and unknown/obscure brand)

[87-325ic]

Right, thanks guys. this is what i was thinking too.

My issue is wether i should get something here, and drive it out, or get something while im out there. that will save at least a few hundred in gas driving it there, plus i would find more suitable vehicles out there.

I also cannot decide wether i should find a cheap beater out there for around $2000, or if i should bite the bullet and get a newish car and a car payment. (possibly with some family financing)

[Roland H]

Car payments are stupid. Stick with a cheap beater.

[87-325ic]

so a 1500 e30 and snow tires will have me golden? i dont seem so sure of this for some reason... (im not doubting the e30, im doubting the rwd and snow)

[Roland H]

so a 1500 e30 and snow tires will have me golden? i dont seem so sure of this for some reason... (im not doubting the e30, im doubting the rwd and snow)

I do rwd + snow in my volvo every year. No issues.

Tires > # of Drive-wheels.

[iamsam]

so a 1500 e30 and snow tires will have me golden? i dont seem so sure of this for some reason... (im not doubting the e30, im doubting the rwd and snow)

That is because you are from North Carolina. Get E30, get LSD, get good snow tires, get used to it. Done.

[Bimmerman325i]

I do rwd + snow in my volvo every year. No issues.

Tires > # of Drive-wheels.

Yes, but snow tires and four driving wheels is just a million times better AND more fun in snow. 50mph controlled four-wheel drifts is incredibly entertaining fun. You don't stop any better, but you can turn and accelerate better, and have more controllable slides without thinking about it.

OP, get a cheap 95-99 Legacy Wagon or Outback (I have one too). Best car I've ever had, and by far the perfect Colorado car. Keep the E30 for fun jaunts, use the older Subaru for a beater. Jeep would be good too, but not good on fuel mileage and reliability.

[gofredo50]

This is a great thread guys, thanks. I'm going to be moving out to Denver (possibly in the next few weeks) and I thought I was going to have to keep my Accord and sell my beloved e30. Now I feel better about chucking the honda and getting some bangin' new snow tires.

[iamsam]

Also, FYI, Bimmerman (David) is a huge proponent of AWD Subaru, and I (Sam) and a huge proponent of RWD BMW, so you may get some dissension there... ;)

I can attest that RWD drifting is also alot of fun. Ask david how sideways I was getting it on the way back down from Winter Park.

[Bimmerman325i]

This is a great thread guys, thanks. I'm going to be moving out to Denver (possibly in the next few weeks) and I thought I was going to have to keep my Accord and sell my beloved e30. Now I feel better about chucking the honda and getting some bangin' new snow tires.

Keep both, but snow tires on both, use E30 as fun car and Accord as DD beater. The roads here suck, and many drivers are retarded when snow falls, so I'd rather have a beater for snow duty to keep the E30 nice and in good shape.

[Bimmerman325i]

Also, FYI, Bimmerman (David) is a huge proponent of AWD Subaru, and I (Sam) and a huge proponent of RWD BMW, so you may get some dissension there... ;)

I can attest that RWD drifting is also alot of fun. Ask david how sideways I was getting it on the way back down from Winter Park.

...before he got stuck. :ohsnap: Ask Sam how fast I was drifting corners without any control issues in the scoob.

Seriously though, I DDd my very lowered E36 M3 track car with studded snows and sandbags for a winter season. Wasn't the fastest way to get from A to B in bad weather, but definitely possible. If an E36 M3 with an inch of ground clearance can do it, so can a pretty stock E30 with an LSD and good tires.

[iamsam]

Keep both, but snow tires on both, use E30 as fun car and Accord as DD beater. The roads here suck, and many drivers are retarded when snow falls, so I'd rather have a beater for snow duty to keep the E30 nice and in good shape.

Now this is true. In the winter you will NOT want to drive a restored, freshly painted, immaculate car. it WILL get cracks all over the windshield, sandblasted paint, and tons of salt/sand crusted all over.