Winter Daily Driver

Brampton_Boy

Brampton_Boy

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A couple months back, I posted about purchasing a Camaro - I love the car, and beyond a somewhat cramped cabin, it is everything I hoped it would be.

However, foolish me temporarily forgot that I live in Canada, and I had traded in my Ford Escape towards the Camaro. The past couple of months of winter driving (even with Blizzack Snow tires on) have been interesting to say the least.

While the weather is warming up, I figured I would spend the next couple of months looking for a deal on a winter daily driver. Because I am youngish and newly single, I figured I would still opt for something that is fun to drive, but buy second hand this time so I don't break the bank. My budget is about 20k $CAD.

The cars that have initially peaked my interest are:

Second Hand:
Dodge Charger
Chrysler 300c
Cadillac CTS

A Camry or Accord would be the most logical choice, but I have driven boring cars all my life, and I finally want to start having some fun (I drove a minivan through my early 20s).

For whatever reason, I really like the look of domestic muscle cars (hence my love of the Camaro), so the Dodge Charger is at the top of the list.

Any thoughts?
 
All your interests are rwd. Rwd is shit in ice and snow. Get a fwd or 4x4 pickup. Whatever brand and model doesn’t really matter. If just for winter then get a beater you can rag out.
 
Just drive better dude. Snow tires make a big difference but can't save you if you're too hard on the break or gas.

If it's rear wheel drive which I assume it is just throw some weight in the trunk and save your 20 grand
 
Unless the Charger, 300 & CTS versions you're looking at come with AWD they aren't going to be any better than the Camaro.
 
Why would you think any of those cars would be better in the winter? They're all RWD platforms and some are even more overpowered than your Camaro. All of them do come in AWD, while the Camaro does not, but you better be looking under the car to see if they've got AWD.

What you really need as a winter beater that's got some oomph is an 90s era Subaru RS.
 
Doughbelly said:
Why would you think any of those cars would be better in the winter? They're all RWD platforms and some are even more overpowered than your Camaro. All of them do come in AWD, while the Camaro does not, but you better be looking under the car to see if they've got AWD.

What you really need as a winter beater that's got some oomph is an 90s era Subaru RS.
Click to expand...

I'm just about to buy my 3rd Subaru.
 
Brampton_Boy said:
A couple months back, I posted about purchasing a Camaro - I love the car, and beyond a somewhat cramped cabin, it is everything I hoped it would be.

However, foolish me temporarily forgot that I live in Canada, and I had traded in my Ford Escape towards the Camaro. The past couple of months of winter driving (even with Blizzack Snow tires on) have been interesting to say the least.

While the weather is warming up, I figured I would spend the next couple of months looking for a deal on a winter daily driver. Because I am youngish and newly single, I figured I would still opt for something that is fun to drive, but buy second hand this time so I don't break the bank. My budget is about 20k $CAD.

The cars that have initially peaked my interest are:

Second Hand:
Dodge Charger
Chrysler 300c
Cadillac CTS

A Camry or Accord would be the most logical choice, but I have driven boring cars all my life, and I finally want to start having some fun (I drove a minivan through my early 20s).

For whatever reason, I really like the look of domestic muscle cars (hence my love of the Camaro), so the Dodge Charger is at the top of the list.

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
2016-ford-focus-rs-test-review-car-and-driver-photo-666865-s-original.jpg

here is your all purpose sports car for all seasons and conditions.
 
Johnson said:
All your interests are rwd. Rwd is shit in ice and snow. Get a fwd or 4x4 pickup. Whatever brand and model doesn’t really matter. If just for winter then get a beater you can rag out.
Click to expand...

I drove a rear wheel drive pickup in the winter with 1000 lbs of sandbags in the back. I'd much rather have a rear wheel drive than a front wheel drive unless it's a 1978 or older Cadillac Eldorado. Front wheel drives don't have enough weight in front and it's difficult to add more. You can always add weight to the rear of a rear wheel drive. Narrow tires are better too. I've had 4 wheel drives but usually with a snowplow. They tend to run hot at highway speeds as the plow blocks a lot of air and actually creates a low pressure area between the plow and the radiator.
 
Last edited:
Winter is almost over bro. If you're newly single go somewhere and booze on a beach. Just my opinion.

Get a charger if need be, parts will be cheaper if you smash it up.
 
As was said, none of those cars you mentioned are really going to be any better in the snow than your camaro.

I'll throw another vote in for subaru. Relatively inexpensive, very reliable, easy to work on, fun to drive, and with a good set of snow tires nearly unstoppable in the snow.
 
My thoughts are that you will continue to shun the advice of people who actually drive in Toronto and later regret your decision to buy the Charger.
 
FWIW, I can vouch for the AWD Chrysler 300. I drove one for about 3 years. I white knuckled it a few times through Stevens Pass between Seattle and Leavenworth during the winter in heavy snow. My last winter trip through the pass the snow was heavy enough for them to close the pass down right after we passed through. It is very capable.
 
Get an older 4WD truck. It’ll be useful not only in the snow, but anytime the need to haul something comes up
 
Swoliosis said:
I was tempted to get it but have a kid on the way and opted for the more dad car <mma1>
Click to expand...

Haha - we currently have two kids, an outback and an Impreza (plus my '76 Lincoln). THe Impreza needs to go so i'm getting the WRX.
 
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