The MINI won't do well in more than 12" snow, now looking at Toureg TDI
Not many wheeled vehicles do well in 8"+ of wet snow.
Option 1: Get mini and cheap utility truck. Use truck in snow.
Option 2: Get mini and keep current truck (may not be financially do-able).
Option 3: Get mini and snow tires, be careful when it builds up to 8"+ (my option).
Option 4: On the 2 days per year when this actually matters, take vacation or carpool.
You're gonna drive a 6000lb dinosaur all year long and really use its capabilities for 2 days? That's like wearing hiking boots all summer. PA road crews may not be the best, but usually get the job done. I've yet to have a problem in any high performance FWD car, even when "stuck at work" while really heavy snow falls. Other cars trample things well enough. Just don't lower that suspension, perhaps get a skidplate if you're worried, and motor on!
Option 1: Get mini and cheap utility truck. Use truck in snow.
Option 2: Get mini and keep current truck (may not be financially do-able).
Option 3: Get mini and snow tires, be careful when it builds up to 8"+ (my option).
Option 4: On the 2 days per year when this actually matters, take vacation or carpool.
You're gonna drive a 6000lb dinosaur all year long and really use its capabilities for 2 days? That's like wearing hiking boots all summer. PA road crews may not be the best, but usually get the job done. I've yet to have a problem in any high performance FWD car, even when "stuck at work" while really heavy snow falls. Other cars trample things well enough. Just don't lower that suspension, perhaps get a skidplate if you're worried, and motor on!
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Option 3: Get mini and snow tires, be careful when it builds up to 8"+ (my option).
Just saw this thread and all I can say is...DUUUHHH 
Seriously, if you live in high snow areas, get something like the Jeep. If you can afford a 2nd (summer) car, get a MINI too
Seriously, if you live in high snow areas, get something like the Jeep. If you can afford a 2nd (summer) car, get a MINI too
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 603
Likes: 1
From: too far from Europe!
Its not the 8" of fluffy that bothers me, but getting through heavy wet snow, and snow banks that the plows left. I have to make the right choice this time as its costing way too much and I can't afford to make another mistake. Getting rid of my truck, I;m loosing money that I paid for it, and whatever I buy, I will have to live with for a while to recover what I spend, on top of what I loose in trade.
Coordinator :: Eastern Iowa MINIs
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,520
Likes: 4
From: Decorah, IA
FWIW, my MINI has been making bi-weekly 300 mile round trip commutes to the Twin Cities throughout the winter, and this area has seen the most snowfall in years. The most I've had to do is move my departure up a couple of hours to beat the heaviest snow, or wait a few hours to allow the snowplows to make their initial pass and then I'm good to go. With my Hankook iPikes on stock holies I've always felt firmly connected to the road and in total control in snow and on hard packed glaze. Oh, a few times I've had to shovel a path through the mound at the end of the driveway after the plow has gone by, but who doesn't?
For me, the biggest winter driving PITAs are all visibility related (blowing snow, ice accumulation on wipers**, detecting the centerline and edges of the road when freshly snow covered, and driving in heavy snowfall at night). I also hate when I get behind excruciatingly slow traffic when passing is not possible or too risky. These problems would exist as safety hazards no matter what vehicle you are driving.
But the worst thing of all is dealing with all of the crap that get applied to the local road surfaces. I'd rather drive on packed snow any day over chemical laden, sub-freezing sludge. Every week it's off to the car wash to get rid of the heavy stuff, then back to the heated, drained garage for a proper bath. I guess it's nice that I have this extra quality time with my MINI.
(**Speaking from experience, do NOT keep running your wipers if ice is forming under them. Stop and clear it off ASAP. The ice chunks are likely to contain sand and grit from the winter road surfaces and will scratch your windshield in nothing flat. Then you get to spend eight solid hours with glass polish and a buffer to get them out...
)
For me, the biggest winter driving PITAs are all visibility related (blowing snow, ice accumulation on wipers**, detecting the centerline and edges of the road when freshly snow covered, and driving in heavy snowfall at night). I also hate when I get behind excruciatingly slow traffic when passing is not possible or too risky. These problems would exist as safety hazards no matter what vehicle you are driving.
But the worst thing of all is dealing with all of the crap that get applied to the local road surfaces. I'd rather drive on packed snow any day over chemical laden, sub-freezing sludge. Every week it's off to the car wash to get rid of the heavy stuff, then back to the heated, drained garage for a proper bath. I guess it's nice that I have this extra quality time with my MINI.
(**Speaking from experience, do NOT keep running your wipers if ice is forming under them. Stop and clear it off ASAP. The ice chunks are likely to contain sand and grit from the winter road surfaces and will scratch your windshield in nothing flat. Then you get to spend eight solid hours with glass polish and a buffer to get them out...
)
Thread Starter
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1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Not many wheeled vehicles do well in 8"+ of wet snow.
Option 1: Get mini and cheap utility truck. Use truck in snow.
Option 2: Get mini and keep current truck (may not be financially do-able).
Option 3: Get mini and snow tires, be careful when it builds up to 8"+ (my option).
Option 4: On the 2 days per year when this actually matters, take vacation or carpool.
You're gonna drive a 6000lb dinosaur all year long and really use its capabilities for 2 days? That's like wearing hiking boots all summer. PA road crews may not be the best, but usually get the job done. I've yet to have a problem in any high performance FWD car, even when "stuck at work" while really heavy snow falls. Other cars trample things well enough. Just don't lower that suspension, perhaps get a skidplate if you're worried, and motor on!
Option 1: Get mini and cheap utility truck. Use truck in snow.
Option 2: Get mini and keep current truck (may not be financially do-able).
Option 3: Get mini and snow tires, be careful when it builds up to 8"+ (my option).
Option 4: On the 2 days per year when this actually matters, take vacation or carpool.
You're gonna drive a 6000lb dinosaur all year long and really use its capabilities for 2 days? That's like wearing hiking boots all summer. PA road crews may not be the best, but usually get the job done. I've yet to have a problem in any high performance FWD car, even when "stuck at work" while really heavy snow falls. Other cars trample things well enough. Just don't lower that suspension, perhaps get a skidplate if you're worried, and motor on!
I can't afford 2 vehicles, and I need ssomething with alot of head & leg room, and most of all guts.
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 852
Likes: 0
From: Aurora, IL
LOL
What's your total budget? A used 4x4 can be less than $5000 (A few years ago I bought a 1991 Isuzu Amigo 4x4 with 70,000 miles for $3300 and used that as a daily driver to go along with my Firehawk). You can pick up a good used S for <$20,000. Total amount would still be less than that of a new MINI...
What's your total budget? A used 4x4 can be less than $5000 (A few years ago I bought a 1991 Isuzu Amigo 4x4 with 70,000 miles for $3300 and used that as a daily driver to go along with my Firehawk). You can pick up a good used S for <$20,000. Total amount would still be less than that of a new MINI...
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