Why it isn't all bad that the 911 is tucked away for the winter...

[Komenda Fan]

As sad as it seems to have my mistress dormant, a nice dumping of snow like today demonstrates that a car guy can still have fun. Amazing the difference, driving a normal car vs. a Subaru. Not mine, unfortunately, but just another reason why in the next 6 months I will be picking up a WRX for myself. Donuts and powerslides on fresh powder, better than skiing.



snow packed driving light





Great fun watching the snow fly over the hood, and the resulting steam coming out of the intercooler scoop. A couple of weeks ago we went to the rally of the tall pines, and when all the other cars and trucks were spinning their wheels, my buddy just drove around them into the deeper snow, no problem. Yet he takes it out to track days and autox, and it flies (280bhp), takes it camping, and can haul lots in the hatch.

[JCF]

Indeed.
Also gives a chance for those big projects.

Still - Cali weather would be nice.

[Christien]

You're nuts to be out in this weather, man! We loaded up groceries yesterday and are just taking it easy inside by the fire. I shovelled for 10 minutes and said f*@k this. There were apparently 6 cars stuck in the snow at the end of our street!

If I didn't have to work, I'd hibernate like a bear in the back seat of the 911 and come out when the weather got better. Winter sucks.

We've got a foot already, and it's still coming down strong.

[Komenda Fan]

Chris,

My original plan was to barricade myself in the apartment all weekend, but then my buddy called, said lets go play, so out I went.

If you have never experienced a Subaru with winter tires, it really is a revelation. On the main streets, most cars are struggling, yet there we were going down unplowed side streets having a blast. These are rally machines for a reason. Never once did we ever feel in danger of getting stuck. There wasn't a sole around anywhere.

We stopped by the beer store, and he kindly created tracks for the stuck cars to follow in. BTW, despite the weather, the beer store had a line up waiting for it to open.

Heck, the Subaru even has a boxer engine. I am looking forward to picking one up.

[HardDrive]

Dads over in Michigan. He says is quite the storm. At least a foot of snow on the ground.

[Christien]

Then swing by, pick me up and let's hit some parking lots!

Just kidding - I have to work today...

I have in fact experienced a WRX on winter tires, but it was in the summer, which meant it was sliding all over the track at TMP.

[Rick V]

Subes are great I have had a couple and loved them. We (the wife and I ) would pray for snow, just to play.

[FastCarFan]

My R32 is fun too (sorry, no photo in the snow). AWD with snow tires is a blast!

[911Rob]

I hear ya Brother! Looks miserable there though? Yuck.

I only got to drive my 993 for a couple months this summer as I bought it in Sept. It was hard to put it away and then go jump in the suburban. That's why I decided to switch up and have a little fun this winter too. Now I love it when it snows!

Cheers and here's to an early Spring!

[MRM]

You're selling me on Subies. Do they have a car that still handles like that and is large enough for a family of 5, a dog and a load of cabin stuff?

[Komenda Fan]

MRM, if the older WRX wagon or the new WRX hatch isn't big enough, I would suggest that you check out the Legacy Spec B. AWD, comes in a wagon, and has a de-tuned 250bhp turbo boxer. I have always loved the Subaru mentality, somewhat of a sleeper, AWD, you can buy a manual gearbox, and based on what I know, tough and well made. We just replaced the timing belt on my buddies WRX, and I judged the components to be well made.

They also make the Tribeca, but I don't have any experience with them, so I can't say anything about whether it's worthwhile or not. I would imagine its SUV type stance would compromise the handling, at a guess.

[azasadny]

I had some fun in the snow with my MazdaSpeed3 today, too!

[SLO-BOB]

The last time I was caught in a Toronto snow storm I was fortunate to have rented an AWD Hemi Chrysler 300. I ruled the streets- What a blast! I would imagine the WRX is at least twice as fun.

[Komenda Fan]

Rob, one day I'm gonna have to get someone to give me a ride in an H1. My general interest runs to the sporty, but I trust you that machine is fun. How has your experience been since picking it up?

As for the weather, I guess it is yucky. I have spent a number of years overseas, so I am re-acclimatizing, so it seems kinda fun to me right now. Even better if work is cancelled tomorrow! I've already got through one bottle of Trius Cabarnet Sauvignon today, look forward to another day and another bottle if this weather continues.

[911Rob]

Hey Fanman,
I've no regrets, I really like the truck; its very different and unique. Although if someone wasn't planning to be off road, I wouldn't recommend it. Very cool truck off road and when it snows, you rule the roads. Kind of a drag following the minivans at 50Km/Hr on the highway though.

I got a custom set of tire chains for it now, I'm getting a huge winch welded to the front bumper next week, jack-all, cum-along, shovel and emergency kit. Also satelitte radio installed now and putting in a CB soon too. Lots of fun on miles and miles of back roads here.

At least its helping with the winter blues; which is what I wanted.

[Steve PH]

I think I have found me a winter car!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/313827.htm

[Komenda Fan]

Ahh, nice SWB. The SWB apparently makes them twitchy, but what a car. Still, I had been contemplating an A4, but less horsepower than the Scooby, and based on what I've read and the few owners I know, a reliability nightmare. Still so tempting, I don't think anyone makes a more stylish range of cars than Audi. That one there is a collectible, not a winter beater though!

[javadog]

Originally Posted by Komenda Fan

Ahh, nice SWB. The SWB apparently makes them twitchy, but what a car. Still, I had been contemplating an A4, but less horsepower than the Scooby, and based on what I've read and the few owners I know, a reliability nightmare. Still so tempting, I don't think anyone makes a more stylish range of cars than Audi. That one there is a collectible, not a winter beater though!

That's actually a replica, built by Dialynx in England from a shortened ur quattro.

You should look into a bi-turbo S4 Audi. I bought one new, had a blast with it and never had a single problem.

JR

[upwardr]

I'm in hamilton also and I had to drive my son to meadowlands to work so we took his 73 VW squareback, drove through no problem but had to scrap the ice off the inside. This 73 brings back memories.

Larry

[Christien]

Wow, Larry, you've got some guts! Getting up the mountain in a rwd car would be difficult, and then braving Meadowlands at xmas time!

I've a picture from the fun run 2 summers ago blown up in our washroom, with your 356 parked out front. I just stare at all those p-cars on days like today and dream of better weather...