/o/ - Auto

you really dont need all wheel drive, what you need is snow tires. It wont mean shit if all four wheels spin.

That said, if you want to get all wheel drive in addition to snow tires, go with an actual truck based all wheel drive system that has a selectable transfer case, not one of the gimmicky and worthless systems they have in most crossovers.

Also automatic subarus dont have real all wheel drive, they just have front wheel drive that sometimes drives the rear axle.

Unless you drive in the snow year round or travel on non paved roads alot then you dont need awd/4x4. Now if you really want awd/4x4 get something pre-2003 with selectable awd like some subarus and some small suvs like the crv.

And use it for off-roading and during winter.

Also you should know that awd and 4x4 is for traction and low speeds only. They dont improve handling or speed.

You can and will still spin out if you dont drive properly, dry roads, wet roads, snow and icy roads etc. no diffrence

Also just because there are potholes, bad roads and random weather in your area does not mean you need awd/4x4. What you need is to a car that can handle better and can stand the abuse.

I live in new england and i have managed with a shitbox civic with worn tires (cant beat that rev limiter at green light during a snow storm) and an mkii turbo supra with rear street slicks and a beamer with worn tires..

I have yet to spinout or get stuck anywhere.

Just remember to track on fresh snow, dont accelerate around corners and bends, brake lightly, and look for clean fresh snow when you need to stop and when accelerating from a stop put that bitch in 2nd and burn that clutch up, as in having the car accelerate as slowly as posibble to avoid slipping.

seconding what's already been said. 4WD is only for getting going from a stop in slippery conditions, or trawling through DEEP mud/snow at low speeds. AWD/4WD will not help you maintain control above 10mph, it won't help you brake better, and it only helps you corner better if you drive everywhere at rallycross speeds.

I DD an old lincoln town car through upstate NY winters and I've never gotten stuck because I buy decent snow tires. The car weighs two tons, it's RWD, and it's got an open diff. No traction control, no ABS. Normalfags would have you believe I'm some kind of thrill seeker driving a death trap, but it's just as good as any other car at speed.

Sometimes I get a little wheelspin at slushy stop lights, but if I use the throttle more conservatively I'm fine. I've driven that car on the highway through six inches of snow at 11pm when the plows haven't been out yet.

Dealing with bad weather is 70% having good tires, and 30% driver skill. Splurge on your rubber and git gud.

>>5198

There are no dedicated you tube channels becuse there are no "reviews" to make.

All awd/4x4 function under the same principal to drive all wheels.

The only reviews are vehicle specific reviews as each manufactuer uses a diffrent system to manage awd/4x4.

And no just because OP wants a 4x4 doenst mean he should get one.

OP clearly stated he want a 4x4 to handle potholes and random weather

1. Snow tires >> 4/AWD. I can't tell you how many times my coworkers have gotten stuck in their SUV or pickup trucks to the tune of "why isn't the 4WD/AWD working!?!?!"

2. >land of potholes, bad roads, and random weather (Ohio for reference)

Sweetheart, you don't have bad weather. If you lived in Buffalo or Alaska, I would entertain your discussion as being relevant and thoughtful. I live in the Rockies, and the snow that you get is pretty pathetic compared to what we get here. Bad roads and random weather don't validate the purchase of a car that drive many wheels.

3. If you're still interested in purchasing a heavier vehicle, GET ONE THAT ACTUALLY DRIVES ALL OF THE TIRES. The vast majority of 4/AWD systems have an open transfer case and open diffs at the axles. That means without the ABS/TSC on (which can decide that the condition does not warrant the application of the brakes because you are going 0 mph), you will sit there and only spin one wheel. Systems with a limited ship transfer case will send power to both axles, but may only drive one wheel per axle. Systems with a limited slip transfer case and limited slip diffs will drive all wheels all the time. These are what you want. However, you can drive as many wheels as you want, but if the tires don't have traction, you're hosed.

TL;DR:

-Get crappy wheels (i.e. steel) and extremely good snow tires for the winter regardless of what car you have.

-You don't need 4/AWD to get though bad weather. My Accord with snows on it has conquered snows that leave the best AWD/4WD vehicles stuck and causing problems.

-Look for 4/AWD systems with limited slip transfer cases and diffs (if available).

-I cannot say this enough 4WD AND AWD DO NOT HELP YOU STOP THEY ACTUALLY HINDER YOUR STOPPING DISTANCE DUE TO THE ADDED WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE.

Alaska here, 4wd is nice to have, just familiarize yourself with it and buy good tires. Also, make sure its a manual

>>5197

>I've driven that car on the highway through six inches of snow at 11pm when the plows haven't been out yet.

Seeing as this is turning in to a storytime thread, I'd like to add a tiny bit of my experience in snow driving.

Rhode Island, last winter, rush hour (it was dark by then), snow halfway up my wheels, blizzard-like conditions. I was in my '06 2.0T Passat (no snow tires) going to and from work, about 30 minutes away, took an hour and a half to get home. I took my time by turning/braking/and accelerating as gradually and slowly as possible. Only wheel spin was at a red light when it turned green, only because I wanted to get home and I imagined some 18-wheeler cruising into me from behind. And yeah, I survived, but I can't say I wasn't terrified. As far as the post I'm quoting, there will be a lot of people telling you they did X in X conditions with X car, but who the fuck cares. Don't take the risk. Get a proper vehicle for the conditions you find yourself in.

I know my next purchase will be a taller vehicle with AWD capabilities. I'm never going to risk driving through icy hell ever again.

>>5990

Oh shit a rhody cunt! I'm a rhodyfag too!

You really don't need a awd vehicle here in the isle of roads. Our snow fall has been condensed to a month. You will be fine with blizzaks and chains if the roads are real bad. I survived winters with a shitty bald tire civic, 2wd yota pickup and a bmw. And I have to travel during blizzards to work as I have snow removal duty.

But yes 2wd sucks in the city. Especially at intersections where plows leave a trail.

If you must have a awd/4x4 I recommend a used descent 00-04 crv. Auto or manual.

Shit I borrowed my uncles with bald tires and that little shitbox hauled ass.

there is no excuse to get a fwd based "awd" vehicle. Get a truck based four wheel drive system or just get snow tires.

>>6006

Why get a truck if you don't need a truck?

>>6009

Because awd is a scam. It is an open differential with an electronic locking clutch. It will not help you in snow or other off-road type conditions, it will only drive all 4wheels once the computer decides that you're slipping or stuck.

>>6004

>watching the fred durst channel