Odd Question about Northern Snow

[rodriguezpoultry]

Please forgive me for this randomly stupid question, but I am debating selling my car (heart-wrenching). I'm not sure if it will survive in Pennsylvania winters?

Supposedly, it has a ground clearance of 7.5".

My beautiful Chevy Aveo.

Does anyone else get around okay up north in a small compact car? Do you live "out there" near farms or in the cities?

Thank you for any help!

 

[Orchid]

In PA, they have snowplows.

Just pokin' a little fun at you.

I've driven cars all my life, though we do own a truck. The best car I ever had in the snow was a tiny subcompact Pontiac LeMans, it had maybe 6" of clearance. Just get some good snow tires and you'll be fine.

ETA: I have lived in north central MN all my life, way out in the country.

 

[rcentner]

I have driven a few small compacts, they tend to have nice ground clearance and do pretty well. I never was one to have snow tires, just good all season tires. I am too cheap to buy special tires just need good tread.
Obviously you need to drive slower and more carefully than the people in their 4 x 4 trucks. whenever I got a new (to me) car I would take it into an empty parking lot and practice slipping and sliding. Get a feel for how it breaks loose in the rear and how to combat that. I find the front wheel drives do pretty well.....infact they do better than the rear wheel drive 2 x 4's. My ford escort could handle the snow better than my DH's old 2 x 4 Ford Ranger (small truck), I could make it up my driveway no matter how much snow and ice where as the ranger always had a hard time.
I don't think you NEED to sell your car and if the snow was the reason to sell you better get a 4 x 4 cause that is the only factor that seems to make a big difference.

 

[Southernbelle]

I can see why you're worried because the Southern response to snow is ultimate panic and it must be worse up north, right? I live in PA for 15 years before moving to VA and even though PA gets 5x the amount of snow, they are much better at handling it. They'll have you plowed out before you're snowed in. A compact car will do fine because you shouldn't ever have to drive over 7" of snow.

Where here in VA you have to wait for the snow to melt. Our street has never seen a snowplow, even when we got 18" last year, we had to either drive over it, or wait for it to melt.

That wouldn't have happened in PA.

What part of PA are you moving to?

 

[xke4]

Best car ever in the snow. A Datsun my mother had in the 70's. Small but mighty. When the roads were closed due to snow and the only other things on the road were snowmobiles, my Dad got me to work safely and on time in that cookie tin. My car was that white thing in my avatar.....come winter I didn't drive IT, it drove ITSELF....all over the road.

 

[Lifesong Farm]

I live in norther IN and my grandpa had an Aveo for awhile. No biggie. Drives just like any other car. Just can't go plowin through those sno drifts like a 4x4 can.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It just wouldn't be good if you live on dirt or gravel rural roads that never get plowed.

 

[Orchid]

I live on a dirt township road that is sometimes plowed faster than the county paved roads - we take snow removal seriously 'round here.

 

[Stacykins]

I own a compact car and regularly drive it both in the city and in the countryside on dirt roads. I'll be honest, it is tougher driving in the city, because there is nowhere for the snow to be put and it turns major roads into one lane roads. Plus, you have more stupid people to worry about, street parking spots to fight over, etc.

Front wheel drive is definitely nice. Just carry a shovel, an ice scraper+brush, and some salt in your car, and you should be fine. When I am driving and I know inclement weather is afoot, I usually toss a blanket and some other supplies in my trunk. I've never been stranded, personally, but if it happens, I'd rather be prepared.

If you have never driven in snow, you absolutely need to learn before hitting the snowy roads alone. Get a northerner friend to take you to a parking lot after a snow and practice. Learn how to control the car in a slide. It will eventually become second nature. And be aware that even if you become a great winter driver, 95% of other drivers on the road lose their minds and forget how to drive each time it snows, so you have to be very aware of what they are doing and maintain control even if they don't.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I lived on a dirt road is southern MO and it saw graders once every summer in dry weather. Never saw a snowplow. It was 12 miles to pavement and there were about 6 houses in that stretch. Once you were on pavement - no problem for a small car. If you lived on that road and had a small car you didn't leave home till the snow melted.