Snow vs Jeep: Who Wins?

Alex01 · Apr 3, 2020

Chris said:
Seriously? I’ve owned 5 Subaru’s and never had an issue with a single one of them other than routine maintenance. One of them had 300k on the original engine too!

My brother's outback blew an engine at 92k. Turns out it was low on coolant and Subaru in their infinite wisdom replaced the temp gauge with an MPG "good or bad" gauge. Also, my buddies wrx's clutch was replaced under warranty at 19k.

Personally I've owned two Subarus, a wrx and a BRZ. While the WRX was fun and a great car to put the family in the BRZ is the car I keep wishing I still owned. They are great cars in all weather but my prior Grand Cherokee was great also.

Chris · Apr 3, 2020

Alex01 said:
My brother's outback blew an engine at 92k. Turns out it was low on coolant and Subaru in their infinite wisdom replaced the temp gauge with an MPG "good or bad" gauge. Also, my buddies wrx's clutch was replaced under warranty at 19k.

Personally I've owned two Subarus, a wrx and a BRZ. While the WRX was fun and a great car to put the family in the BRZ is the car I keep wishing I still owned. They are great cars in all weather but my prior Grand Cherokee was great also.

The BRZ reminds me of my NC Miata. Friggin' loved that car. That thing was an absolute hoot to drive even with only 165 HP stock. The light weight and nimble handling just make it like a go cart. I had an NA before that, then an NB, but my 2015 NC Club was by far my favorite of the bunch.

Alex01 · Apr 3, 2020

Chris said:
The BRZ reminds me of my NC Miata. Friggin' loved that car. That thing was an absolute hoot to drive even with only 165 HP stock. The light weight and nimble handling just make it like a go cart. I had an NA before that, then an NB, but my 2015 NC Club was by far my favorite of the bunch.

I currently have a NA. The best thing about that car is it's so cheap and the top goes down. Somewhere halfway through summer once I'm done playing around with it I'll be selling it. They are great cars but at least the brz could fit someone in the back in a pinch.

Chris · Apr 3, 2020

Alex01 said:
I currently have a NA. The best thing about that car is it's so cheap and the top goes down. Somewhere halfway through summer once I'm done playing around with it I'll be selling it. They are great cars but at least the brz could fit someone in the back in a pinch.

That’s true. Ultimately I sold mine because it didn’t have a back seat. I want to take my kids with me when I have fun, and even though the TJ back seat is tiny, at least it has one!

WallyWest · Apr 3, 2020

Sadly we didn't have any good snow this year where I live. I love driving around in snow. Haven't owned the TJ long enough to have tried it out yet. I kinda thought it would do quite well, but I hear people say they suck in snow.

Is there a reason why the AWD type systems are better for snow? I would think with serious snow a locked 4X4 would be great.

I've driven my '02 4Runner in lots of snow and it is fine. Up to 18 inches is no problem at all. It has basic traction control and a locking transfer case, but I've never had to lock it. Diffs are open. My wife drives an '08 Grand Cherokee, full time AWD, no locking anything. Even on basic tires it does surprisingly well in snow.

Rick Flair · Apr 3, 2020

WallyWest said:
Sadly we didn't have any good snow this year where I live. I love driving around in snow. Haven't owned the TJ long enough to have tried it out yet. I kinda thought it would do quite well, but I hear people say they suck in snow.

Is there a reason why the AWD type systems are better for snow? I would think with serious snow a locked 4X4 would be great.

I've driven my '02 4Runner in lots of snow and it is fine. Up to 18 inches is no problem at all. It has basic traction control and a locking transfer case, but I've never had to lock it. Diffs are open. My wife drives an '08 Grand Cherokee, full time AWD, no locking anything. Even on basic tires it does surprisingly well in snow.

it really comes down to a light, short wheelbase rig and without the electric nannies, people can’t drive.

Waggs · Apr 4, 2020

WallyWest said:
Sadly we didn't have any good snow this year where I live. I love driving around in snow. Haven't owned the TJ long enough to have tried it out yet. I kinda thought it would do quite well, but I hear people say they suck in snow.

Is there a reason why the AWD type systems are better for snow? I would think with serious snow a locked 4X4 would be great.

I've driven my '02 4Runner in lots of snow and it is fine. Up to 18 inches is no problem at all. It has basic traction control and a locking transfer case, but I've never had to lock it. Diffs are open. My wife drives an '08 Grand Cherokee, full time AWD, no locking anything. Even on basic tires it does surprisingly well in snow.

My Tj has actually proven to be great in snow and every other terrain. Except for this only time. This was actually the first time I’ve ever gotten it stuck in the 6 years that I’ve owned it.