• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Looking for car thats good in snow (nyc)

JEDI

JEDI

Lifer
brother has a 2008? altima.
it slips and slides in the snow.

when it snows (like last weeks artic vortex) he has to take public transportation, which takes more than double the time. (2hr vs 45min).
he has to take a bus from home to the train station. then another bus to work bldg.

he wants a new car and doesnt care about used (despite my advice).

he usually drives alone.
recommendations for a car (pricetag: $25k or less)?

or with mandatory electronic stability control (esc), any front wheel car will do well in snow as long as it has good all season tires?


edit:
current tires= Continential ContiPro Contact

ranked #18 on Tireracks list 🙁
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireModel=ContiProContact&tireMake=Continental
 
Last edited:
What tires does he have on the Altima? Tires and driver skill are bigger indicators of winter performance than which car one drives.

If he's set on a new car, can't beat an AWD Subaru (multiple options under $25k) for winter capabilities (with appropriate rubber). Impreza, Legacy, and Outback all start under $25k (you might even be able to snag a base WRX in that range too).
 
Have him buy a set of winter/snow tires -

Altima is FWD it should be fine with better tires.

If this is an excuse for a new car - he will want to go AWD, cant go wring with a Subaru Impreza or Forester.
 
jlarsson said:
What tires does he have on the Altima? Tires and driver skill are bigger indicators of winter performance than which car one drives.

If he's set on a new car, can't beat an AWD Subaru (multiple options under $25k) for winter capabilities (with appropriate rubber). Impreza, Legacy, and Outback all start under $25k (you might even be able to snag a base WRX in that range too).
Click to expand...

current tires= Continential ContiPro Contact
ranked #18 on Tirerack's list:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireModel=ContiProContact&tireMake=Continental
🙁

I wouldn't rate his driver skill as high
 
Last edited:
As much as I love Subarus I have to agree with the "new tires and learn to drive" advice. Subaru can't fix a bad driver.
 
amg-g63-6x6-1-628.jpg


😉
 
i've used bald tires on a rwd '92 s10 in blizzard conditions....

obviously it's retarded and you can't make up for that, but i still was able to make it to my destination... in mostly one piece

the point is it's not the car or the tires, it's the driver

that being said, snow tires
 
Unfortunately, these tires are just about useless in the snow with only 16,000 miles on them. They provide little to no grip especially when cornering or going up hill. I've driven several vehicles in heavy snow, both 4WD and FWD, and I've never experienced the lack of grip that these tires provide even in light snow. If you live in a climate where you never see snow, these might be a good choice. Otherwise, stay away, or get yourself a good snow tire to put on in the winter months.
Click to expand...

Review at the Tire Rack page.
 
More:

My OE tire. Just changing them now with tread life still remaining. Dry traction and tire comfort/noise these tires are great. Add a little water or snow/ice and they are the worst winter tires I have ever driven! I've driven hundreds of cars over the years (car dealer) and these tires are so bad in the winter you no matter your skill become dangerous. The idea of handing this car over to a young driver scared the daylights out of me. If you live north, don't buy them.
Click to expand...
Overall I like these tires but they are scary in the snow with 28-29K miles on them. The car seems to want to slide sideways. They did well in summer and in the rain. If I make it through the winter I'm sure they can go to 40K miles.
Click to expand...

Loved these tires until the snow came.
Click to expand...
 
JEDI said:
all season tires
Click to expand...
he wants to drive on snow/ice and yet he does this and then complains?

Winter tires are recommended under 7°C because they have better characteristics than the summer tires in cold temperatures, but if there's no ice on the street and it never snows all seasons are good enough I guess and winter tires might not be worth the price.

If the climate is so cold that it snows though, it's stupid.

I saw the climate data and the news over the years about NYC and the seasonal climate excursion is way more extreme than here, and yet here everybody with a head gets winter tires (except soccer moms driving cheap compact SUVs with all seasons), in nearby Italy it's even required by law.

A heavier car with AWD will do nothing more than a FWD car when he's braking, except the greater weight will just make it more difficult to stop. The altima is a boat anyway so I don't know if this matters.

Tell him to get good winter tires (look at reviews not the least or most expensive), no matter what car he gets, also for insurance purposes depending on your laws.
 
Murloc said:
he wants to drive on snow/ice and yet he does this and then complains?

Winter tires are recommended under 7°C because they have better characteristics than the summer tires in cold temperatures, but if there's no ice on the street and it never snows all seasons are good enough I guess and winter tires might not be worth the price.

If the climate is so cold that it snows though, it's stupid.

I saw the climate data and the news over the years about NYC and the seasonal climate excursion is way more extreme than here, and yet here everybody with a head gets winter tires (except soccer moms driving cheap compact SUVs with all seasons), in nearby Italy it's even required by law.

A heavier car with AWD will do nothing more than a FWD car when he's braking, except the greater weight will just make it more difficult to stop. The altima is a boat anyway so I don't know if this matters.

Tell him to get good winter tires (look at reviews not the least or most expensive), no matter what car he gets, also for insurance purposes depending on your laws.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, in the US there are no laws requiring snow tires. Neighboring Canada, does have them in some areas. I wish it were illegal to drive in the winter with all-seasons here in NY.
 
In NYC, you are in a lot of stop & go traffic. The hardest part of driving in snow is starting from a stop because you spin. Snow tires helps. AWD also helps in the snow.

I would suggest a 2014 Forester with snow tires. The Forester starts at $22k and snow tires will be around $800, so that's well under the $25k budget and allows some wiggle room to add features to the car.
 
Fmr12B said:
Have him buy a set of winter/snow tires -

Altima is FWD it should be fine with better tires.

If this is an excuse for a new car - he will want to go AWD, cant go wring with a Subaru Impreza or Forester.
Click to expand...

he went to Costco for snow tires. the person working there said snow tires wont help much on the Altima.

wtf?! Costco guy was an idiot?
try another Costco?

also, 4 snow tires, or just 2 for the front?
 
JEDI said:
he went to Costco for snow tires. the person working there said snow tires wont help much on the Altima.

wtf?! Costco guy was an idiot?
try another Costco?

also, 4 snow tires, or just 2 for the front?
Click to expand...

The Costco guy is indeed an idiot. Also, it is fairly common now for shops to insist on only installing tires in sets of four. Which is what I would do.
 
All seasons are fine for urban driving as long as your south of the 49th parallel, driving a FWD vehicle, and don't let them get bald. RWD you should probably get them. I've never had a single issue on any of my cars with all seasons.

My advice, tell him to learn how to drive. Jack rabbit starts and going too fast will get you sliding real quick.
 
For NYC in an Altima, decent tires and learn how apply the gas properly.
You shouldn't even need snow tires for NYC streets. Just a good all season that has good performance in the snow.
Knowing how to drive in NYC is a rarity.

You only need awd\4wd in NYC if you have a car with good ride height and want to grab the parking spots no one else wants to shovel or you have to be on the roads when the mayor tells you to stay off the damn roads (emergency personnel)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top