Ot: calling all outside sales reps and Motor-heads... Time 2 buy a new car!
August 10th, 2012 at 10:11 PM ^
You should skip the new car and hire Mike Partlow to drive you around.
August 10th, 2012 at 10:17 PM ^
Haha that was amazing ^^^
August 10th, 2012 at 10:11 PM ^
I'm biased but my Audi S4 conquers the snow :) I love it.
August 10th, 2012 at 10:15 PM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 10:22 PM ^
I use Yokohama 245/45R18 sport tires and they handle pretty well in ice and snow. If I ever head into the mountains I just chain up.
August 11th, 2012 at 10:53 AM ^
I've put 245/45R-18 Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60 XL's on my RWD car. The car can't handle worth a darn in snow with its standard all-season tires, but with the Blizzak tires it could climb a tree.
Winter tires are essential.
August 10th, 2012 at 10:27 PM ^
Also, in case someone seriously considers buying an Audi for winter driving, don't buy a TT or an A3. They use a haldex differential instead of the superior torsen differential. The 4 wheel drive experience will be dramatically different.
August 11th, 2012 at 12:26 AM ^
Or any clutch plate utilizing differential for that matter. Shit ton of gears > wet clutch plates for delivering friction across the half shafts.
August 11th, 2012 at 2:02 PM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 10:12 PM ^
I drive from grand rapids to Kalamazoo most days. With rwd and have no real issues in winter. If you spend a lot of time in the car, treat yourself to something fun to drive.
August 11th, 2012 at 9:37 AM ^
August 11th, 2012 at 10:24 AM ^
Is an RS America and never touches snow or rain. The Infiniti G37S is the snow car.
August 11th, 2012 at 10:29 PM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 10:17 PM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 10:18 PM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 10:41 PM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 10:18 PM ^
I have a 4-cylinder Toyota with no snow tires. I handle winter fine.
August 10th, 2012 at 10:20 PM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 10:35 PM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 10:23 PM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 10:45 PM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 11:04 PM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 11:21 PM ^
Just to be clear... it is a mid-size and a very small one at that. I had a FWD version for 18 months and hated it in the winter. Underpowered and no traction when starting from a stop. I would have to politely disagree with your advice.
August 10th, 2012 at 11:35 PM ^
I have multiple firends with Fusions 2009, 10, and 11 and they all love them. I am considering trying to get my hands on a '09 or '10 for the right price. Ford has really stepped up its game the last handful of years. The 2013 Fusion looks pretty darn cool http://www.ford.com/cars/fusion/2013/?searchid=64584805|2733078685|19403514847
August 11th, 2012 at 12:09 AM ^
But they start rattling and shit starts falling off inside the cabin after about 20k miles. They are a giant heap of shit, but they are nice looking. The engine noise is 68 db at highway speed. Unfortunately, the underpowered audio system can't help you either, so you should prepare for fatigue and some hearing loss if you drive a ton of miles. Also, they are steaming piles of shit. One more thing, if you are taller than 5-10", don't even try it... the seats are terrible for longer legged drivers.
August 11th, 2012 at 12:38 AM ^
August 11th, 2012 at 1:48 AM ^
Test drove a base (SE) 2012 Fusion in March. I did not like it. I'm 6'7" and I fit in it like crap. My knees hit the dash and the power was pretty lousy. I test drove a 2012 Malibu and wound up buying one. I fit in it pretty well (at least my shoulders don't hit the B pillar, my knees don't hit the dash. and my head doesn't hit the roof. My 2.5 year old fits in behind me in his car seat and the gas milage is great (34mpg). You have to really look hard to find one now as they started the 2013 models in March. Been very happy with it so far, but I haven't had a winter in it yet.
August 11th, 2012 at 11:42 AM ^
August 11th, 2012 at 7:05 AM ^
If your serious bout getting one keep in mind body syles changed from '09 - '10! a friend of mine drove my car loved it so he went and bought a used one '09 sel 5-spd its pretty quick but my '11 sport ate him up now he wishes he wouldve spent a few dollars more to get A: the newer body style and B: A Sport model! But you should test them all out before buying! Good Luck!!
August 10th, 2012 at 10:26 PM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 10:27 PM ^
BMW 3 Series is what I drive out here in CA...
August 10th, 2012 at 10:31 PM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 11:04 PM ^
The 16 y.o. neighbor decided to total my car when it was sitting in the street. In 4 houses he got going fast enough to do about $6k worth of damage. (It was midnight, his girlfriend was with him and he didn't hit the car about 40' behind mine... don't know what the g/f was doing to him.)
Anyway, we went out and bought a brand new Kia Optima SX-L with the everything. Paddle shifters, 6 speed transmission, 280hp turbo 4 which gets 34 MPG highway, navigation, panoramic roof, new leather in the Limited is like butter... It's pretty awesome.
I haven't driven it much (it's still only got like 400 miles on it) but my wife raves about it. I'd rave about it if I were allowed to drive it. Corners like a dream, tight and firm, but handles bumps nicely. Goes over 20MPH speed bumps at 45 without bottoming out or making you feel like you're riding on rails. Don't know about snow handling yet.... But man, does it handle nice in the dry.
August 10th, 2012 at 11:16 PM ^
I'm going with road beej.
August 10th, 2012 at 10:32 PM ^
My wife drives a 2012 Ford Taurus 60 miles a day (mostly highway) and loves the car. It's very comfortable, powerful, good in the snow and actually gets pretty good gas mileage and would get even better if she kept it under 80.
August 10th, 2012 at 10:38 PM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 10:32 PM ^
I was hoping that my fellow UM fans would demonstrate a propensity to purchase products from our domestic manufacturers. Oh well. Ahh well. Guess I will just go have a Bud. At least they are still American.
/s
August 10th, 2012 at 10:48 PM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 10:50 PM ^
Budweiser sold out to the Belgians several years ago bro. . . .
GO BLUE!
August 11th, 2012 at 12:23 PM ^
I will reccomend a sarcasm detector for ya
August 10th, 2012 at 10:32 PM ^
Not trying to come off as a dick but I guess it would help knowing your price range is. Also, are you looking to buy used or new? How many miles would you like the car to have? What year? How concerned are you about fuel efficiency?....Just from my experience, I had an Acura RL all wheel drive the last two years that did just fine in the snow. I actually had a better experience driving that in the snow than a Ford Expedition. I also like the Toyota 4runners or the Land Over Freelanders or Discoverys.
August 10th, 2012 at 10:38 PM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 10:42 PM ^
August 11th, 2012 at 12:52 AM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 10:40 PM ^
1) Price range
2) MPG???
3) Type: SUV, sedan, truck, etc
4) Passenger capabilities: How many do you need to carry
5) Lifestyle: Towing, hauling, carrying, etc.
I am one of those guys who seriously researches my vehicle before I purchase. I never go on emotion and I am extremely patient. I value functionality and ROI over all else. Through personal use and work I have purchased numerous trucks, SUVs and mini-vans and can offer serious advice if you are seeking something in one of those categories.
August 10th, 2012 at 10:49 PM ^
with Ecoboost. Will never drive a car again.
(unless gas goes over $4 permanently, in which case I'm broke)
August 10th, 2012 at 10:52 PM ^
I can't help you with the winter stuff, but I'm an outside sales rep and I just bought the Prius V. I get a car allowance and then 50 cents per mile, so the better mileage I get, the more of that I get to pocket. And the new Priuses are super nice, I feel like I'm driving a luxury car. If you put in a lot of miles, a hybrid is a good option.
August 11th, 2012 at 12:25 PM ^
for a Michigan winter.
August 10th, 2012 at 10:53 PM ^
August 10th, 2012 at 10:59 PM ^
and it does just fine.