850s are good in the snow, yes?

[Boxzoo]

Had a bit of snow up north yesterday. Wife took out her 2005 1.6 Civic and its handling was appalling apparently. I've noticed myself that grip seems poor in the wet.

Wife asked if she'd be better going out in my 850R in bad weather - they're built for snow aren't they?

My answer was I can't imagine how a huge beast like the R can be better handling, and stop in shorter distances, in the snow than a little Civic that weighs hardly anything. So I told her to stick with the Civic and drive more carefully!

But wonder whether that's the right advice. Any thoughts? Anyone else noticed Civics not being good in poor conditions?

[neevo]

From experience the thin tyres are better at cutting through the snow than the fatter tyres of an 850 but if it's an auto with the W winter button then she may not spin the wheels so much which will give her more confidence but most importantly teh volvo should surely be a better car to be in if there's a bump and nobody argues with a Volvo whereas a poxy Civic is fair game


My old Fiat Uno was a master in snow and icey conditions at one stage there was a long queue of traffic heading East in a blizzard on the A17, all in the inside lane with a range rover piling along in the fast lane followed by this little thin tyred Uno both doing about 60mph one riding on the snow with 4WD the other slicing through it <---that was me

[Al115]

My T5 was simply shocking in the snow last time I tried it!!!

[samadkins29]

Well, your volvo is 1000+ pounds heavier. Combine that with 4 larger rotor brakes w/ abs. You will get a car that digs in deeper and has better stopping power.

Either way, if any car is safer, well its the volvo, so drive it the most if you can.

[timbo_1975]

Not with wide low profile tyres you won't.

[lance]

skoda estelle are the best fun in the snow.

[Ivan]

850 T5 is a handful in snow, despite it's Swedish pedigree I think they only tested it in Barbados. The old 240s are so much easier...as is just about any other car I've driven.

With the wide 'n' low profiles, and the weight and size of the T5 it's like riding a pregnant giraffe with anvils on it's feet round an ice-rink!

[Mental Wealth Doctor]

850 awd is great fun

[t5 pete]

its pointless taking the t5's out in the snow

[stainesy]

my T-5 R is useless if it is slitely wet so i imagen snow would be un drivable

[irf]

a lot of it depends on tyres. i'd imagine the swedes have winter tyres put on.

[Alan M]

Snow chains are available for the 850.

[Babybadger]

I have just put vredestein quatrac3's on the front of mine, and they are recommended. Much more confidence in the wet slushy conditions. They are what are called 'hybrids', winter track on the inside graduating to summer on the outside of the tyre. Let me put it this way, the eagles used to spin out of every damp corner, even with light throttle, and under WOT in the dry. The new tyres will only spin under WOT in the wet or damp, and confidence braking is heavily increased.

Get some old 16's and put some vredsestein quatrac or (full fat winter) wintracs on them. They make a massive difference.

[neevo]

I htink Wobbly swears by Vredesteins too

[Jod T5]

Anyone who thinks the 850 or the 70 for that matter are good in the snow needs to try driving them in the snow....Heavy, crap steering and bugger all traction make me want and go buy Lance' Skoda....
If you want fun in the snow get a RWD....
Cheers
Jod

[Dangerous Dave]

850 awd is great fun

I'll second that (or in mud!)

[Babybadger]

Anyone who thinks the 850 or the 70 for that matter are good in the snow needs to try driving them in the snow....Heavy, crap steering and bugger all traction make me want and go buy Lance' Skoda....
If you want fun in the snow get a RWD....
Cheers
Jod

Try changing the tyres first, don't forget these are designed in sweden, tested in the north of sweden, very arctic up there. I think the swedes know a thing or two about snow......like any car, try changing the tyres to get the right feel.....

[850twr]

yea these cars should be good in snow, i have yet to find out, but in no way would it be fun, as above rwd is the way forward, god i miss my 2.8 capri!!!

[Flatout Phil]

Old Skool...
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xB341y8niD0&feature=related[/ame]

[chrisRSVR]

Well as i was sliding towards an 09 tt today, i can tell you i wasnt thinking gosh arnt t5s
good in the snow!