Volvos in snow

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Jack McCullough, Dec 7, 2003.

  1. Should I become a Volvo owner? I've been driving AWD vehicles for more than
    ten years-- very handy here in Vermont. My current vehicle (Grand Voyager
    with AWD just got totaled when I got rear-ended and I'm considering either a
    Subaru wagon or a Volvo, used. Assuming I put snow tires on, how will I do
    in the snow in an 850 wagon or sedan?

    The very weird thing I've noticed is that if you look in the range I've
    been looking at, about 85-100K, the Volvos and Subarus seem to be going for
    a similar price range (around $8000-10000). I'm assuming that you get a lot
    more car for the money if you get a Volvo than a Sube. Any thought on that
    question?

    Thanks, guys.

    Jack
     
    Jack McCullough, Dec 7, 2003
    #1
  2. Jack McCullough

    Chicorita Guest

    Old Volvo RWDs were pretty good in snow. Newer FWDs are dogs. The Xcountry
    AWD is good.
     
    Chicorita, Dec 7, 2003
    #2
  3. Jack McCullough

    Bev A. Kupf Guest

    I disagree. I've driven both over the last ten years in northern Wisconsin
    and Illinois. They're both excellent in snow. Off course with any car,
    you've got to know how to drive in heavy snow.
     
    Bev A. Kupf, Dec 7, 2003
    #3
  4. Jack McCullough

    Tim McNamara Guest

    I owned a Ford Bronco II 4WD for 13 years until it was really falling
    apart. I donated it, and bought a 1990 Volvo 240 in 2001. I miss 4WD
    in winter here in Minnesota, when it snows which is no longer all that
    often. I didn't need to switch to snow tires with the Bronco; with
    the Volvo, I have terrible winter traction by comparison. Snow tires
    would be a good idea (haven't bought 'em yet) or at least better tires
    for snow than Michelin Rain-X or whatever they are. They suck in the
    snow.

    Clearance is also an issue. I could drive the Bronco II through a
    foot of snow, no problem. The Volvo wouldn't handle that as well, if
    at all.

    The trade off is that the Volvo is a superb car to drive, unlike the
    Bronco II, and has cost me far, far less in maintenance and repair
    costs. The Volvo is a well0made machine, unlike the Ford POS it
    replaced. Ironically, Volvos are Fords now...
    Volvo lifespans are typically 200,000+ miles. What's the average
    lifespan of a Suburu?
     
    Tim McNamara, Dec 7, 2003
    #4
  5. Jack McCullough

    Bev A. Kupf Guest

    A nice year for the 240 -- I think the best years were from '90 to '93.
    A fine RWD Volvo. I would strongly recommend you consider getting
    snow tyres. I used Dunlop Graspics when I lived in Wisconsin, and my
    760 handled the snow really well.

    Beverly
     
    Bev A. Kupf, Dec 7, 2003
    #5
  6. japaneese vs. sweedish engineering & parts...i sugguest
    owning each type of car for at least 50kmiles...150k is
    more revealing though...as far as rattles, electrical
    connector issues, bearings, plastic pieces...etc...
     
    ~^ beancounter ~^, Dec 7, 2003
    #6
  7. 50 - 100k miles...
     
    ~^ beancounter ~^, Dec 7, 2003
    #7
  8. I disagree. I have owned both and always used all-weather radials
    andcarried chains in the old Volvo RWD's and never got stuck. In the
    newer Volvo FWD's I use all-weather radials but don't need to carry
    chains to go through the same deep snow. Of course you have to know how
    to drive in snow. Now with my new Volvo AWD XC you don't even have to
    know how to drive in snow.

    My AWD Subaru does well in snow; that is the only reason I still have
    it. However it was a poor investment. It is now worthless and has
    severe rust problems.
     
    Stephen M. Henning, Dec 7, 2003
    #8
  9. Jack McCullough

    Tim McNamara Guest

    Hmm, good advice on TCP/IP ports *and* Volvos... You're absolutely
    right, I need to buy some spare wheels and get snows for the car. It
    would make a lot of difference. I used Dunlops on the Bronco II and
    was very satisfied with them.

    I also need to learn how to drive this car in the snow. I still tend
    to drive like I've got access to 4WD, and it just ain't so.
     
    Tim McNamara, Dec 7, 2003
    #9
  10. Jack McCullough

    Pete Guest

    lot

    If you want AWD, you can get a 97 (or so) A6 Avant Quattro for that kind of
    money.

    Cheers,

    Pete
     
    Pete, Dec 7, 2003
    #10
  11. I haven't wned friven anything but front wheel drive cars for about 25
    years, and the reason is htta they do much better on snow. No
    fishtailing!!! My current car is a 2000 Volvo S40, with the winter package,
    which includes traction control on the front wheels. It is great in snow.
     
    Marvin Margoshes, Dec 7, 2003
    #11
  12. Jack McCullough

    Bev A. Kupf Guest

    Look the old RWD Volvos are very good in the snow. As are the RWD
    Benzs and BMWs. You _have_ to know how to drive a RWD car in the snow.
    You need snow tyres. You have to know how to accelerate, decelerate,
    and brake. These cars were heavy, and a pleasure to handle in the snow,
    slush and even when the roads were icy. No fishtailing.

    That is not to say the FWD Volvos are not good in the snow. They're
    also heavy cars. I find that all-weather radials seem to handle reasonably
    heavy snow just fine. However, the way you drive a FWD car is very
    different than how you drive a RWD car.

    I've also driven an older RWD Mustang in light snow -- and I totally
    hated it. Lots of fishtailing. I had to weigh the car down to make
    it relatively stable.

    The bottom line in my opinion in that:
    (RWD light American car) != (RWD quality European automobile)

    Beverly
     
    Bev A. Kupf, Dec 7, 2003
    #12
  13. I have owned three RWD Volvos, two of them in very snowy climates, and with
    a good set (4!) of snows they get along great. They are totally
    comfortable, quite reliable, and WAY safe. I am now driving another RWD
    Volvo, now in Toronto where it's not too snowy. With the good snows that
    are on it, I expect a trouble-free winter.

    That said, our other car is an '02 Subaru Outback. This is the most willing
    little car I have ever owrned. I have no worries about my wife spending the
    winter driving this car. It goes anywhere, runs like a top, and let me tell
    you, when it does snow, it is the most fun thing to drive. It will pass its
    second winter with stock tires. I love the car.

    Now, having both options, I choose to drive the 14 year old Volvo over the 2
    year old Subaru. Mostly 'cause I am a big fella, and like the feel of the
    big, substantial car. However, either one is great.

    RF
     
    Ritchard Findlay, Dec 7, 2003
    #13
  14. Jack McCullough

    Spanky Guest

    The newer front-drive Volvo's are excellent in the snow but they generally
    do not come with tires that work in the snow. It seems many of the stock
    tires are more performance orientated and too wide to work in the snow. Put
    on appropriately sized snow tires and the front drive Volvo's will drive
    better than the big SUV's with all-season radials.

    I have a 2000 S80 and it's fantastic in the snow. If I know I'm going to be
    doing a lot of snow driving I put the luggage in the back seat instead of
    the trunk for better weight distribution. The DSTC option is worth it's cost
    in the snow. It's pretty incredible at higher speeds on slippery surfaces
    but it doesn't do anything at parking lot speeds so it's still up to the
    driver not to get stuck in that situation.
     
    Spanky, Dec 7, 2003
    #14
  15. Jack McCullough

    inLA Guest

    my 740s and 960s were great in snow. my v70 slid all over the place. i
    rented an XC in Toronto and it was good.
     
    inLA, Dec 8, 2003
    #15
  16. Jack McCullough

    inLA Guest

    My off the shelf 740s and 960s were great in snow, and I seldom used chains.
    My V70 couldn't work it's way out of a snowy parking lot. The XC that I
    rented for a month in Toronto was good.
     
    inLA, Dec 8, 2003
    #16
  17. Jack McCullough

    James Sweet Guest

    It's probably the tires, the ones I used to have on my 240 were horrible,
    even in the rain I ended up sideways more than once. Got a new set when they
    finally wore out and the difference is like night and day.
     
    James Sweet, Dec 8, 2003
    #17
  18. Jack McCullough

    inLA Guest

    The v70 was junk and I dumped it. Never got to the 2nd set of tires. That
    was the car that made me a soon to be EX-VOLVO driver when my last 960 heads
    for the great beyond.
     
    inLA, Dec 8, 2003
    #18
  19. What I noticed about driving in deep snow no matter whether you have snow
    tires or chains is that if it is deep enough the car will ride up on the
    snow and you lose the traction. Bill
     
    MaryAnne Olsen, Dec 8, 2003
    #19
  20. Jack McCullough

    Rob Guenther Guest

    The old wagons NEED snow tires tho, their ABS system coupled with their mass
    will have them going right through intersections with the ABS fully pumping
    if a good snow tire is not used. I agree, my parents have a 960, and it's
    great in snow with snow tires.... scary without them tho... even with very
    expensive "all season" tires installed.
     
    Rob Guenther, Dec 8, 2003
    #20
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