Sedans with RWD

[Anonymous]

I haven't owned a vehicle with rear-wheel drive in 35+ years, but I'm considering purchasing one in the near future. Any thoughts/experiences with driving one in the snow/ice in the DMV? I ask because I remember driving a front-wheel drive vehicle in the snow for the first time, circa 1985, and I couldn't believe how well it handled in 6 inches of snow.

[Anonymous]

I would get an AWD.

[Anonymous]

If you're really that concerned about the infrequent snows we get here, but another set of wheels and have snow tires for the winter.

The handling and roadfeel of a rear wheel drive car is so much better than a front wheel/AWD car that this alone makes it worth doing.

The reality is we have about 6 days out of a year when snow on the roads is a factor here. That doesn't make suffering with the poor handling of front wheel drive worth it the other 360 days.

[Anonymous]

I would also get an AWD, Subaru comes to mind if it has to be a Sedan

[Anonymous]

Not many RWD now days OP. I think muscle cars are still RWD but most are FWD/AWD/4x4.

Personally I'd get a FWD or something like CRV/Rev-4

[Anonymous]

Rwd will barely go up a slight incline with a dusting of snow on it. Don’t do it or don’t drive when it snows.

[Anonymous]

Nope. Anytime you see someone stuck anywhere it’s because of their rwd. I was just looking at electric/hybrid cars and liked one a lot. Then they said rwd and I completely dismissed it.

[Anonymous]

I used to have a RWD Mazda RX7. I put snow tires in it every winter and it handled the snow pretty well. That said, it would bottom out in the lowest of snow burms left behind by plows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rwd will barely go up a slight incline with a dusting of snow on it. Don’t do it or don’t drive when it snows.

Wrong. With the right tires, it is fine. But, no one here has the right tires.

[Anonymous]

The next BMW M3 will supposedly have an option to switch between AWD and RWD. Best of both worlds. Have to wait until 2021 though

[Anonymous]

OP here, thanks for all the comments. I don't want another SUV as we already have two. BTW, the car in question is a '18/'19 Chrysler 300. They do come with AWD but only in the higher trim levels, so that feature is more expensive. And I don't want to swap tires out every winter. Some winters we get no snow so that option doesn't make much sense to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're really that concerned about the infrequent snows we get here, but another set of wheels and have snow tires for the winter.

The handling and roadfeel of a rear wheel drive car is so much better than a front wheel/AWD car that this alone makes it worth doing.

The reality is we have about 6 days out of a year when snow on the roads is a factor here. That doesn't make suffering with the poor handling of front wheel drive worth it the other 360 days.

I agree with this. Have been thinking of a new car myself and on the rare days we have inclement weather, I just won’t drive. On a smaller scale, it’s like having a snow blower at home. Some winters you’ll never use it and it was a waste of money, but on a few occasions you’ll be glad to have it. You just need to decide if the expense is worth it.

[Anonymous]

BMWs are RWD. Unless they have the xDrive.

I have a RWD 3 series and drove it every single day in the DMV last year. Even during the so called snow event. It was fine even with sport wheels.

[Anonymous]

Rear wheel drive is far more predictable in low traction situations, but tires do matter. Regular summer tires aren't meant for snow/ice. All season are better but still not 100%. It is much better to have whatever the current equivalent is of "posi-traction," to direct power to the non-slipping wheel. Otherwise if one wheel breaks loose you're stuck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rwd will barely go up a slight incline with a dusting of snow on it. Don’t do it or don’t drive when it snows.

Wrong. With the right tires, it is fine. But, no one here has the right tires.

I agree. No one is putting on snow tires here though.