would like to hear from owners in Alberta

[seanders]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a used 4WD vehicle primarily for winter driving here in Calgary - ski trips, the Christmas trek to Vancouver, tooling around the city. I was thinking of a lease-return Nissan X-Trail (decent little SUV that can be had for around $15k) but then realized a Delica might be the ticket. Cheaper, more room, step right from the curb to the driver's seat so avoid the slush, and huge cool points from the manga-obsessed ten-year-old daughter.

So if anyone's driven a Delica (either L300 or L400 if I've done my research right - would prefer the latter) through an Alberta winter, I'd love to hear from you. My concerns are handling on icy roads, cold-weather starts, and whether maintenance and finding parts becomes an unloved and time-consuming hobby. Also retrofitting with heated seats - once you've had them, there's no going back.

Happy to pick one up in Vancouver if need be, we have family there.

Thanks,

Scott

[FredVenne]

This is just my oppinion but if your main concern is for winter driving, get a Subaru. That's what I have, beside my L300. Living in Banff, I see more 4X4 in the ditch then any other vehicles...

Good luck!

[seanders]

That might be an expected result given that 4X4s seem to be the majority of vehicles in Alberta!

But yes, I did wonder if these were suited to winter roads (with proper winter tires, of course), or if an AWD station wagon or CUV would be a better bet, as they'd be a bit lower-slung.

Willing to hear other opinions, however.

Thanks,

Scott