Moving to the western slope!

[iamsam]

...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.

hey now, i didn't have any control issues when I was drifting either. I got stuck because I stopped on a fairly steep incline on hard packed snow, so hint, don't stop on a steep incline.

Also, you can get skinnier tires on an E30 than an E36 M3 so that is a benefit in the snow over an M3.

[Pussy30]

Two cars is the answer.

[Bimmerman325i]

hey now, i didn't have any control issues when I was drifting either. I got stuck because I stopped on a fairly steep incline on hard packed snow, so hint, don't stop on a steep incline.

Also, you can get skinnier tires on an E30 than an E36 M3 so that is a benefit in the snow over an M3.

Still got stuck.

The e36's snow tires are 225s, so while not the skinniest tires they're not steamrollers. The car would have been far better in snow if the tires had had more life and my alignment not so bumblefucked. But yea, 185/70/14 on the subaru just pwns winter into submission without me even having to think hard.

[Bimmerman325i]

Two cars is the answer.

Agreed.

[iamsam]

However, OP, to answer your original question, an E30 may not necessarily be the BEST choice for snow driving, but if you already have one, it will definitely suffice. You certainly don't need to get rid of it.

And to agree w/ David, you can't deny that AWD is ALWAYS better than RWD in traction-limited conditions, all other variables held constant.

However, keep in mind, an AWD car stops the SAME as a RWD car, and being able to stop is pretty important.

EDIT: I think next winter I am gonna rock 185/70/14s like David has. Skinny is good in the snow.

[Bimmerman325i]

However, OP, to answer your original question, an E30 may not necessarily be the BEST choice for snow driving, but if you already have one, it will definitely suffice. You certainly don't need to get rid of it.

And to agree w/ David, you can't deny that AWD is ALWAYS better than RWD in traction-limited conditions, all other variables held constant.

However, keep in mind, an AWD car stops the SAME as a RWD car, and being able to stop is pretty important.

100% agree. AWD does nothing for you in braking, that's a function of your tires (get snow tires!!!) and brake pads.

[Bimmerman325i]

EDIT: I think next winter I am gonna rock 185/70/14s like David has. Skinny is good in the snow.

They are badass.

[87-325ic]

fuck yeah, great info here. thanks.


so its agreed ill get an older something, beater, but reliable. this points to:
A) an e30 with good tires.
B) and old jeep cherokee or something similar
C) an oldish subaru (what's some good mileage and yrs/price to look for)

[iamsam]

Also, don't do a throttle body heater delete like I did. Your TB will ice up in the winter.

an old 325e 5-speed beater would be awesome. In fact, one sold here recently for $600, in running/driving shape, which I missed out on. (grrrr)

[Bimmerman325i]

fuck yeah, great info here. thanks.


so its agreed ill get an older something, beater, but reliable. this points to:
A) an e30 with good tires.
B) and old jeep cherokee or something similar
C) an oldish subaru (what's some good mileage and yrs/price to look for)

I'm not even going to pretend I'm not a huge subaru fan.

It really depends on how big of a car you want. I love my 95 Legacy wagon because it's big enough to carry bikes, skis/boards, backpacking gear, camping stuff, musical instruments, car parts, tires, etc, but still very small-feeling on the road. I doubt you'd buy one and mod it, but there are some nice mods that really improve the feel of the car.

95-99 Legacies are great and very reliable, though not honda/toyota status. Avoid any 2.5L engine unless the head gaskets have been replaced. The slower 2.2L engine is a tank and you cannot kill one (I've tried for 5 years, to justify a swap).

92-01 Imprezas are much smaller and lighter, but not able to carry as much stuff. They're great for a commuter car, but I'd pick the Legacy wagon myself if you want to use it as a do-anything car.

00-04 Legacies and Outbacks are much bigger, both physically and to drive. I'm not a fan of this generation, but you can get a 6cyl model that is vastly better than the 4cyl, if you're ok with auto. The interiors are much better as well, and towards the end of the model generation the 2.5L engines no longer popped headgaskets.

05-09 L/OBs are bigger still. The outbacks especially are mini-SUVs at this point, lifted and very un-car like in their behavior. The Legacies are much better, with quality interior and finally a 2.5L turbo motor (detuned STi).

I and my parents have had one of every generation of legacy or outback listed above, and I greatly prefer my 95. It feels most like an E30-sized car in terms of size and handling. The outbacks do have much better off-road prowess, but I'm just not a fan of them.

Imprezas from 02-07 are bigger and heavier, and are the WRX generation as well. I don't have first hand experience with them, but these cars are everywhere here.

Mileage on a 2.2L isn't an issue, nor on a 2.5 if the HG is good. These cars routinely run forever, so find the best condition car you can. 95-99 Legacies are generally $3-7k depending on model/year/condition.

[clarkkey594]

I see we are back to the engineers bickering.....for the 49 bajillionth time.

[blefevre]

You guys forgot a few things. He is moving to a place in the mountains, which are big hills. That is different then driving in Boulder, Loveland, and Denver. You will get stuck eventually with RWD and snows.

Also he said he is an outdoors person and wants to go to the trails. I would never dream of taking my E30 to 95% of the trailheads I go to. It would get destroyed.

OP, if you can only get ONE car get an outback or Jeep. If you stay in the city and such, get any car you want and get snows.

[Bimmerman325i]

I see we are back to the engineers bickering.....for the 49 bajillionth time.

Nah, this is pretty tame discussion comparatively.

[monkeytaco]

3 cars is the answer.

Jeep. Obvious reasons.

Subaru. Winter.

e30. Summer/fun.

[iamsam]

yeah i guess if you are up in the mountains, you may want ground clearance, suspension travel, and AWD.