Car/Snow Rant

[Ed Rooney]

Ok, last October I sold my 2003 Toyota 4runner and bought a CPO BMW 530i. During the time I had the 4runner I lived in Minnesota for 3 years, and MD since 2006. In those 6 winters, including MN, I never got more than 8" of snow in a storm. I could always drive over whatever fell, and even enjoyed it. The 4runner drove as nicely as a lot of crossover SUV's, even though it was a fully capable body-on-frame truck-based SUV. It never gave me a lick of trouble in 125,000 miles. It was the most reliable vehicle I ever owned.

Since buying the BMW, we've had 3 major and 3 minor snowstorms. I'm smart enough to know my limitations, so I am sitting at home with the car in the garage. It's not only the snow. I can't do anything with the BMW except drive to work. Honestly, it's probably not even the right BMW for me, if I had to have a BMW.

So now I am thinking of getting either another 4runner or it's Lexus counterpart, the gx470. I can't stand the thought of another winter with the BMW, or a summer without being able to pitch beach stuff in the back of an SUV. My wife's Subaru is brilliant in the snow, but it just wouldn't suit me.

[ducatidoc]

I hear you. The Subarus just seem to cry out "Fe-mobile", even though they are very capable in adverse conditions. I just don't know if I'd go Toyota in the forseeable, though . (Unless they have a fire-sale on them). Their PR problems are going to be way worse than what Audi had to get past 20 years ago. One guy on TV even raised the issue of a possible "B"-word, at least here in the US.

[Brunotheboxer]

[diversified]

Up here in Central Pa Subaru is pretty popular car where its not uncommon to get anywhere from a dusting to 3 inches over night for two - three weeks straight.

[Skullring]

Also consider the Toyota Land Cruiser or the Lexus counterpart the LX470 or LX570 I think. I have a Land Cruiser and I love it.

[Ed Rooney]

That's how Minnesota was - lots of little snows that melted slowly.

The closest I've seen to this in MD was 96 and 2003, where we had 2" and then 6-10" within a few days of each other. But then it would be 45* the next day. This feels more like lake effect in Western NY.

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by Skullring

Also consider the Toyota Land Cruiser or the Lexus counterpart the LX470 or LX570 I think. I have a Land Cruiser and I love it.

I'm a big TLC and 4runner fan. Not sure how much I like the new LC's styling, but you can't argue with the truck. I REALLY want to be able to get it into my garage, though. That's just me. I like parking in the garage, and big trucks like the LC, Yukon and Sequoia won't fit. These houses were built in the 80's, before the SUV and minivans really got popular.

[diversified]

When I first came to Central PA to buy this house in December, 5 years ago, I met the Realtor who knew me from Philly at her McMansion and was kind of taken back when she pulled the Subaru out to go to the house. She told me everybody here drives a Subaru in the winter and she wasn't wrong!

[Skullring]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

I'm a big TLC and 4runner fan. Not sure how much I like the new LC's styling, but you can't argue with the truck. I REALLY want to be able to get it into my garage, though. That's just me. I like parking in the garage, and big trucks like the LC, Yukon and Sequoia won't fit. These houses were built in the 80's, before the SUV and minivans really got popular.

I agree I am not a fan of the new LC look. I have an older FJ80. Boxy but good.

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by Skullring

I agree I am not a fan of the new LC look. I have an older FJ80. Boxy but good.

I like the early 2000's LC models. But then I would like bluetooth/handsfree and Sirius. I'm actually starting to like the BMW iDrive system. The recent GX470's have all of the accessories I like. I want enough of a 3rd row for a kid to crawl in back, but not enough so that I am a bus driver. I had such a good experience with the 4runner that the GX is looking like a no-brainer.

[mdx77]

Originally Posted by Brunotheboxer

Even though I work for Toyota this one still makes me laugh........

[Ed Rooney]

Apparently the Japan models are not having issues. Is that correct?

I think it's unfair that Toyota is getting slammed for things that were chronic issue with the big three.

[Rscmaine]

We drive big Caddy Deville's with 4 robust snow tires here in Maine - 1 2000 and 1 1989 - they get along like tanks.

Front wheel drive and only use "impulse speed" Mr. Sulu...

[valentine]

yeah...im with ya. the mercedes is getting retired to summer duty and i am heading to the FORD dealership this fall to pick up a new F150 4X4

[mdx77]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

Apparently the Japan models are not having issues. Is that correct?

I think it's unfair that Toyota is getting slammed for things that were chronic issue with the big three.

Yes, Japan's "Denso" pedals are just fine, so any models assembled in Japan are just fine.......It's the American company "CTS" pedals that made defective gas pedals and Toyota IS NOT the only manufacturer that has them...........soak that one in........

[chenx15]

the XI version of the BMW with winter tires would have been awesome or Audi Quattro.

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by chenx15

the XI version of the BMW with winter tires would have been awesome or Audi Quattro.

Yeah.....funny story-

A few days after I sold my 4runner, I had my wife drive me over to my father's and I borrowed his Yukon to go buy a car. At that point I had two in mind: an A4 2.0T w/Quatrro, and my 530i. It was about 3pm on a rainy Saturday. I was driving down rt 2 toward Annapolis, with the BMW dealer in one direction and the Audi dealer in the other. I turned left.

Then, they had two 530's. One was a 530i with the logic7 stereo fewer miles. The other was a 530xi. Same price. I went with the stereo.

[Taffi Abernathy]

Ed,

When the snow finally stopped last night, in addition to my own sense of relief, I actually thought Ed must be so happy that the end is in sight. Now we just have to dig our way out of this. Faith

[BarkMaster]

I've alternated between trucks and SUV's my whole adult life; some 4wd even though I live in the city. I'd have an SUV and then have a need for a truck, which would influence my buying the next time. And vice versa.

Now... now I have a minivan. Sadly, it's the best vehicle I have ever owned and I'll probably keep this one longer than my normal 2 years. But then again, I am not dealing with snow/ice!!

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by 777

I've alternated between trucks and SUV's my whole adult life; some 4wd even though I live in the city. I'd have an SUV and then have a need for a truck, which would influence my buying the next time. And vice versa.

Now... now I have a minivan. Sadly, it's the best vehicle I have ever owned and I'll probably keep this one longer than my normal 2 years. But then again, I am not dealing with snow/ice!!

Minivans are great and probably the most useful of all. Take out the seats and you can load 4x8 sheets of drywall. Add seats and you can move 8 people.

[Ed Rooney]

I dropped my 530i off for service this morning and got the basic 328i as a loaner. This thing has no frills beyond heated seats. And it is more comfortable and fun than my car.