New Subaru... [Archive] - T4T Forums

PWDR8S

12-15-2004, 02:51 PM

http://timefortuckerman.com/photopost/data/500/5Hunter_12-15-04_Subaru_1-med.jpg
This was taken this morning... Hunter has SO much snowmaking going on - it looked like a volcano blowing!!!
Kewl! Hunter blowing it's top! Nice pic and nice ride!

elwood

12-15-2004, 03:55 PM

Nice wheels....

12-15-2004, 04:16 PM

Tasty ride...

Affix Snow

12-15-2004, 04:16 PM

Sweet Sooby!

That is really a sweet pic with all the blowing snow.

Justin

12-15-2004, 06:01 PM

Rock on.
I like what they've done with the forester.

Here's mine...

http://timefortuckerman.com/photopost/data/608/917Ben-Grafton-med.jpg

BladeGirl

12-16-2004, 11:08 AM

Unfortunately for Hunter, looks like most of the stuff they are blowing is ending up on some other mountain downwind! :(

-BG

Affix Snow

12-16-2004, 11:44 AM

Unfortunately for Hunter, looks like most of the stuff they are blowing is ending up on some other mountain downwind! :(

-BG

Thats GREAT riding in those woods.....will just help the natural out as a base :)

DMC

12-16-2004, 11:59 AM

Thats GREAT riding in those woods.....will just help the natural out as a base :)

We were talking about that yesterday... If we get a weekend dump the potential to ride that aspect is pretty good... Have to break out the split and put some biundings on it...

Affix Snow

12-16-2004, 12:12 PM

We were talking about that yesterday... If we get a weekend dump the potential to ride that aspect is pretty good... Have to break out the split and put some biundings on it...

Speaking of.........

I MIGHT be swinging up to Hunter on Saturday.......MIGHT.
If I do Ill let ya know.....me want ride split BAD!!!!!

Castlerock

12-16-2004, 04:54 PM

Did you get snows for it yet? Remember they are free....

DMC

12-17-2004, 10:29 AM

Did you get snows for it yet? Remember they are free....

huh??? 'splain please...

Actaully trying to figure out why I'd need snows...

Castlerock

12-17-2004, 10:42 AM

One of my favorite subjects.....

2wd with snow tires is much better than 4wd with all seasons.

And as for being free. You get X miles per tire. (You fill in the X). Having snows just eliminates wear on your regular tires during the winter. The only "cost" you have is changeover, and If you do that as your tire rotation process, Spring/Fall. It is something you do anyway.

It is even easier if you get your snow tires on a set of steel (cheap) wheels. You can buy them from TireRack (http://www.TireRack.com) mounted and balanced, and switch them over yourself.

To make it easier you can get a cheesy liftjack (http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=C001&UserAction=performMoreDetail&Parameters=TRUE%7C%7EJacks%7C%7ENONE%7C%7ELarin+++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Hyd.+Floor+Jack+4000+L bs+Capacity%7C%7ENONE%7C%7EFALSE%7C%7EFALSE%7C%7E1 89973%7C%7E3220%7C%7ELJ-4000%7C%7ENONE%7C%7E%2416.99%7C%7ENONE%7C%7ENONE%7 C%7ENONE%7C%7ENONE%7C%7E18.45%7C%7ENONE%7C%7EB%7C% 7ELAR%7C%7Etrue)

Besides, think of what your insurance deductable is from just one slide into an icy snowbank

Justin

12-17-2004, 10:56 AM

One of my favorite subjects.....

2wd with snow tires is much better than 4wd with all seasons.

How do you figure? I had a 2wd with snows for years... Now i Have a AWD with all seasons - never going back, it's the best of both worlds. I've had the same tires for two years and they're more then fine for this winter. As for traction - It's not evern comparable. In fact the sube ~almost~ takes the fun out of snowy driving all together... no more fish tails for me :(

DMC

12-17-2004, 11:04 AM

One of my favorite subjects.....

2wd with snow tires is much better than 4wd with all seasons.
Besides, think of what your insurance deductable is from just one slide into an icy snowbank

Well - I havent slid into a snowbank and gotten damage - yet - thanks for the jinx ;)

Last year on the way to MRG - in a snowstorm - a few cars got all messed up on a uphill grade on 100... I was stopped on the uphill grade watching everything unfold in front of me.. One car tried to move but ended up sliding back down the hill, hit my bumper and sent me to the bank on the side of the road... Didnt get stuck no damage because when i saw him coming at me I started to back down the grade- slowly......

I waited for them to sort things out and started up the icey grade - passed the mess of cars - with no problems

Maybe I'm just a crappy driver that needs to rely on AWD... Or just too lazy to do the snowtire switch...

Whatever... I really like Subarus...

DMC

12-17-2004, 11:05 AM

I've had the same tires for two years and they're more then fine for this winter. (

Actually I really don't have much tire wear on my old Subaru either.

12-17-2004, 11:25 AM

My OPINION is that snow tires are important for driving in snow. All seasons are not snow tires. I agree that 2wd + Snows is better then Awd/4wd with all seasons.

The critical thing here is that when you are breaking or turning, it doens't really matter what kind of drive system you have.

Climbing snowy hills: Awd will have an advantage here - and I admit I don't know where the 2wd+Snows and the Awd+allSeasons climbability figures work out, but I can guarantee you that 2wd+Snows is gonna be a lot better braking than Awd+allSeaons.

A couple years when we ski housed near Sugarbush, we had a crappy 2wd civic with snow tires. Both it and the jeeps would get up the steep often unplowed driveway fine, but many a jeep+allSeason ended up in a snow bank on the way down.

Remember: "The Tires are the things on your car that make contact with the road."

M@

DMC

12-17-2004, 11:29 AM

I think... Driving skill is really the determining factor...

I've seen many SUVs strewn off the side of the road... As well as front wheel drives...

Yeah - I could probably get to MRG in a snowstorm with front wheel but I feel more comfortable in an AWD...

DMC

12-17-2004, 11:32 AM

I can guarantee you that 2wd+Snows is gonna be a lot better braking than Awd+allSeaons.

I try not to break... I use the tranmission to slow my speed and keep a grandma's distance between me and the car in front...

I'm curious why you would think 2wd w/ snow is better breaking then Awd+allSeaons..

Not that I really care - cause I just spent a wad of $$$ on a Awd+allSeaons...

yuckster

12-17-2004, 11:50 AM

I'm curious why you would think 2wd w/ snow is better breaking then Awd+allSeaons..

It's quite obvious. The key word in four wheel drive is DRIVE. When you're breaking, you're not driving. The drive system does not come into play and your wheels are turning forward under no control other than the breaking system's.

Justin

12-17-2004, 11:51 AM

I try not to break... I use the tranmission to slow my speed and keep a grandma's distance between me and the car in front...

I'm curious why you would think 2wd w/ snow is better breaking then Awd+allSeaons..

Not that I really care - cause I just spent a wad of $$$ on a Awd+allSeaons...

I just can't justify snows ( sure you say they'll make my other tires last long) but i'm not having a problem with long jevity. My car is like a freaking snowmobile. Havn't done any road test ;) but i LOVE the comfort of setting out for a long drive in the snow in my sube. No trouble turning stopping etc - I just wich there was more AWD option out there. Can't afford a audi and don't want a SUV. as M@ stated above them SUV/jeeps skid and slide on turns... I think it has alot to do with Center of gravity as well. I'd take a 2wd over a suv anyday for that very reason. My father had a trooper and it plowed through anything but turned like a freaking whale. ohh, he got a cross country not to long ago - that thing rocks in the snow but again bit too much $$$

DMC

12-17-2004, 11:56 AM

It's quite obvious. The key word in four wheel drive is DRIVE. When you're breaking, you're not driving. The drive system does not come into play and your wheels are turning forward under no control other than the breaking system's.

It wasnt obvious to me... Maybe because it was too obvious... :)
I guess thats why I try not to brake, use the tranmission to slow down/break, drive slowly and keep a safe distance while driving in snow...

12-17-2004, 12:05 PM

If there were no other drivers on the road - I'd be happy with AWD+AllSeasons.

However: The number of idiots driving in the snow makes it necessary to be able to break. The real time I am most happy with the snows is crusing along 89 north in a snow storm doing 65, and an 18 wheeler blowing by be doing 80... "It's the way you cling to the road when the wind tries to shove you..."

The beauty of it though: Most of the real knobbers have pretty crappy tires, so even if the wanted to, they couldn't stop faster than me + the studded snows, so the "granny distance" is plenty... although I do have to check the rear view mirror whenever I break to make sure the joey behind me isn't going to be an issue.

I also want a cross country... it is precious to me.

M@

DMC

12-17-2004, 12:12 PM

This debate sucks...
Obviously Justin and I are happy and comfortable with what we drive where we drive and how we drive and you guys are happy and comfortable too...

And thats cool... Everybody just take it slow in the snow... Don't make any rash moves - and stay out of the fast lane! :)

I like my Subarus... Never had a problem.. Have drivin in snowstorms in NYC - Route 80, 87, 91 and mountain road...
Like I said - alot of it comes down to how well you drive in the snow..

Bannick

12-17-2004, 12:15 PM

My friend missed the driveway into the cottage a few years back in his Eagle Talon awd with all seasons. He continued beyond the end of the road and continued along the skidoo trail about a half mile. He realized his mistake turned the talon around and ended up getting stuck about half way back to the road. Not because his tires were slipping because with the low clearance the talon was plowing the snow with the spoiler and he couldn't push any more.

We happened by on our skidoos and saw him sheepishly trying to clear the snow from under the car with a hockey stick.

The key to winter driving is don't brake...momentum is your friend.

Castlerock

12-17-2004, 12:22 PM

I guess I left out one critical part of the equation:
AWD w/snow>2wD w/Snow> AWDw/All seasons.

The key is stopping. THere is very little difference between AWD and 2 WD in trying to stop. Especially since most AWD systems use a viscous coupled differential (Except most Audi's and current Passats that have a mechanical Torsen diff, The TT and golf, Subaru, MB, Volvo et. al use a viscous diff)

So the trick is traction. Here is where snow tires shine.

I hope I haven't jinxed you.

I too enjoy the emotion of confidence, as Justin says. But you have to go out in an AWD w/snow tires. It is like a clawed cat on carpet.

DMC

12-17-2004, 12:25 PM

I hope I haven't jinxed you.

Me too.... We're getting snow on the pass back to my house right now...
Maybe I'll test out the new ride this afternoon in the parking lot to check the breaking in snow...

Castlerock

12-17-2004, 12:33 PM

Me too.... We're getting snow on the pass back to my house right now...
Maybe I'll test out the new ride this afternoon in the parking lot to check the breaking in snow...

Find someone with snows on and do a side by side.

Again, $500 sets you up for years.....I've even used it as a way to close a dea lfor a new vehicle. We got a Honda Pilot for the family 2 years ago. I had them throw a set of steel wheels with snows on it to close the deal. It's cheaper for them and I swap'em spring and fall....

DMC

12-17-2004, 12:38 PM

Huckasaurass

12-17-2004, 12:42 PM

I would definately do the steel wheel/snowtire thing...
In fact that's what I used to do with my old VW Scirroco - which was demon in the snow... And I think I did get them from the Tirerack...

Problem is - I have no place to store them... So I'll just take it easy until I buy a house with a garage... :)

You know...if you dont mind spending a few extra bucks for cosmetics TIRERACK.com does have some great deals on actual rims too..I think you can pick up a set of rims that are pretty sporty for the Forrester for under or around $500.00 not including tires...but then you have an extra set of "rims" not just steel wheels..

I don't know..I just like my ride to look good. The steel just doesnt look pretty...soo materialistic I am..

Matt

DMC

12-17-2004, 12:46 PM

I don't know..I just like my ride to look good. The steel just doesnt look pretty...soo materialistic I am..

dude.... I drive a wagon... I'm already a Lesbaru....
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=lesbaru&r=f

I doubt wheels would make me look cooler...
Although I do like the wheels that came with the Forester...

:)

Huckasaurass

12-17-2004, 12:53 PM

dude.... I drive a wagon... I'm already a Lesbaru....
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=lesbaru&r=f

I doubt wheels would make me look cooler...
Although I do like the wheels that came with the Forester...

:)

See so why would ya want it to look weird during the winter? I tell ya, for the extra $200 or so that it may cost i'd spring for the "nicer" rims over the steel wheels...just IMHO...

Matt

Justin

12-17-2004, 01:19 PM

12-17-2004, 01:32 PM

This debate sucks...
Obviously Justin and I are happy and comfortable with what we drive where we drive and how we drive and you guys are happy and comfortable too...

Yeah but the INFORMATION herein doesn't suck.

If you need to climb lots of mountain roads, you're gonna want AWD or 4WD or soemthing. But if you're looking to improve you cars handling in general winter conditions, you'll want snow tires regardless of your drive system.

Here's another trick I've learned: If you're worried about going into a specific ditch, or off the road: Don't look that way. Keep your eyes on the center line, or on the road you're trying to stay on. For some reason your car tends to go where your eyes are pointed.

M@

12-17-2004, 01:37 PM

One season I had studded Kleppers on the little CapriII...I had chains too...put them on when I was pulling other cars out of the ditches with my snatch straps...

The Capri was 2790 pounds soaking wet...we hauled some 4XStupids out....

Modern AWD rules and after that....it seems simple to me RWD drive means you can at least go or steer...and if not both, fling it and hit it, then you do get both....try that in a FWD

Justin

07-17-2005, 06:39 PM

remember this thread?

Gots me a new ride...

http://timefortuckerman.com/photopost/data/500/917DSCF0876-med.jpg

07-18-2005, 08:38 AM

Road trip!

Nice ride, dude!

Sledhaulingmedic

07-18-2005, 08:51 AM

It's naked :eek:

Fahchrisakes! Put a ski rack (or box) on it!

:)

DMC

07-18-2005, 08:51 AM

Excellent!!!

Best of luck wit dat.... :)

DMC

07-18-2005, 08:52 AM

remember this thread?

Gots me a new ride...

http://timefortuckerman.com/photopost/data/500/917DSCF0876-med.jpg

Hey Justin...

clean your yard!!! ;)

Sledhaulingmedic

07-18-2005, 08:54 AM

Here's another trick I've learned: If you're worried about going into a specific ditch, or off the road: Don't look that way. Keep your eyes on the center line, or on the road you're trying to stay on. For some reason your car tends to go where your eyes are pointed.

M@

Sounds like the driving version of: Look at the spaces, not the trees"

DMC

07-18-2005, 09:04 AM

Dont look where you don't want to go...

I've hit many trees mountain biking by looking at them...

Sledhaulingmedic

07-18-2005, 10:51 AM

Dont look where you don't want to go...

I've hit many trees mountain biking by looking at them...

I've hit many women looking at them. The last time, I coouldn't pry myself away...

Justin

07-18-2005, 11:20 AM

Hey Justin...

clean your yard!!! ;)

You like my concrete yard... It's an apartment building and I think we have a patch or two in the front. :)

Justin

07-18-2005, 11:21 AM

ya it's naked for sure... My old rack doesn't fit on it :mad:

Sledhaulingmedic

07-18-2005, 12:03 PM

ya it's naked for sure... My old rack doesn't fit on it :mad:

I have some 48" Yakima Bars, ski adaptors and some other Yak stuff, if you can get clamps to fit the OEM rails.

Justin

07-18-2005, 12:54 PM

I have some 48" Yakima Bars, ski adaptors and some other Yak stuff, if you can get clamps to fit the OEM rails.

Sure I can, had to do the same thing for my last Sube... How much you want for them?