Volvos in snow

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

 

Old Volvo RWDs were pretty good in snow. Newer FWDs are dogs. The Xcountry
AWD is good.

 

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.

 

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?

 

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

 

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...

 

50 - 100k miles...

 

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.

 

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.

 

lot

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

Cheers,

Pete

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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.