Delica Canada | Mitsubishi Van Club

I just posted this to the CBC web site's breathless story about the likelihood of snow Monday:

Some of us drive vehicles that are well-suited to winter conditions, and know how to operate them. I laughed at last winter's snow in my 4x4 van (a Delica), and have better tires this year. Bring it on!

In the spirit of fairness and balance, please spare us the endless footage of idiots spinning their tires and skidding, and give some air time to those of us who know what we're doing.

...laura

Haha, so true.

Just down the street on kingsway I already saw a four or five car fender bender lol. I cant believe it, there's 2cm of snow and already lots of salt on the roads! Then I see people with full gas trying to pull up the smallest of incline spinning, and spinning, and spinning and...

spinning?

My problem is all of the people that can't drive when it's raining and think that they can when it snows. They are the ones that put them and you in the ditch.

and give some air time to those of us who know what we're doing.

...laura[/quote]

Hey,
True, but then we'll be missing the entertainment of watching a bunch of idiots trying to get up a hill. It's not much of news cast when watching a 4x4 or a AWD drive vehicle just driving down the road. Even though some vehicles are better in the snow and rain than others it leads to a whole new problem. To much confidence in the car or truck. Imagine a teenage boy driving a suv with 4x4, roll over stability, traction control, brake assist and tell me if he'll be driving to the conditions. Not likely.
And speaking of snow, the total amount that fell here in Muskoka was over three feet in 48 hours. For the first time in my life I saw a snowmobile trail groomer going down side streets to help with the chaos.
Adam

On the highway going past white rock heading home 40 mins ago.

And people driving 100 on it. Sheesh.

jfarsang wrote:On the highway going past white rock heading home 40 mins ago.

And people driving 100 on it. Sheesh.

Yikes! And nary a snowtire in sight I'll bet (except for yours of course).

Up here there are lots of 4x4's, and lots of "spirited" drivers with some experience driving them. Lots end up in accidents too. 4x4 is great, but if you DO break loose, you are in a world of poo Controlling a 4-wheel drift in a 4x4 is different than any 2-wheel drive.

Fortunately the L400's have AWD mode as well which works amazingly well in the snow.

When the snow made way to slush on the highway the AWD mode really shined.

Like overgrown subaru's

jfarsang wrote:When the snow made way to slush on the highway the AWD mode really shined.

This is exactly why I drive my Suzuki SX4 these days!

Aztec Nomad wrote:Imagine a teenage boy driving a suv with 4x4, roll over stability, traction control, brake assist and tell me if he'll be driving to the conditions. Not likely.

Just have to defend for the younger crowd, I have 4X4 and ABS and I'm certainly not driving recklessly ;)

One thing I've found over here in the far east, is that people are quick to snub you if you have 4X4 for the winter time. Though, the prejudice seems to be valid, as most cars seen in the ditch are a 4X4 truck or SUV.

In my case it just happens to be necessary or else I'm stuck home till the plow goes by (sometimes as late as 3 PM, not good if you have to get to work!) I also have a SWB SUV, which will kick out from under you faster then most other things, and is less able to power out of a sliding situation in 2X4 from my own experiences.

Besides those who deserve it, anyone else find 4X4/AWD gets a nose turned up reaction?

Most ABS systems take on the job with a blustering bravado and make driving in the snow an annoying experience. 5 speed, no abs, awd/4wd and good snowys are the recipe for success imo.

Lacerta wrote:

Aztec Nomad wrote:Imagine a teenage boy driving a suv with 4x4, roll over stability, traction control, brake assist and tell me if he'll be driving to the conditions. Not likely.

Just have to defend for the younger crowd, I have 4X4 and ABS and I'm certainly not driving recklessly ;)

One thing I've found over here in the far east, is that people are quick to snub you if you have 4X4 for the winter time. Though, the prejudice seems to be valid, as most cars seen in the ditch are a 4X4 truck or SUV.

In my case it just happens to be necessary or else I'm stuck home till the plow goes by (sometimes as late as 3 PM, not good if you have to get to work!) I also have a SWB SUV, which will kick out from under you faster then most other things, and is less able to power out of a sliding situation in 2X4 from my own experiences.

Besides those who deserve it, anyone else find 4X4/AWD gets a nose turned up reaction?

Hey,
I understand a lot of people need 4x4 or awd just because of where they live and to be safer safer when driving on our roads. Perhaps I offended you because of the age group I picked for my scenario. How about this one then......mid 30's trophy wife driving around in her new Caddie SUV while driving in a snowstorm (speeding of course), picking through her Ipod for music all the while thinking everything is fine because of the "safety" options on her new ride....wait for it.....Boom, accident.
Adam

Aztec Nomad wrote:
Hey,
I understand a lot of people need 4x4 or awd just because of where they live and to be safer safer when driving on our roads. Perhaps I offended you because of the age group I picked for my scenario. How about this one then......mid 30's trophy wife driving around in her new Caddie SUV while driving in a snowstorm (speeding of course), picking through her Ipod for music all the while thinking everything is fine because of the "safety" options on her new ride....wait for it.....Boom, accident.
Adam

Don't forget the 22"x10 rims with the summer tires on 'em.

Hey,
LOL, of course, how could I forget.
Adam

Aztec Nomad wrote:

Lacerta wrote:

Aztec Nomad wrote:Imagine a teenage boy driving a suv with 4x4, roll over stability, traction control, brake assist and tell me if he'll be driving to the conditions. Not likely.

Just have to defend for the younger crowd, I have 4X4 and ABS and I'm certainly not driving recklessly ;)

One thing I've found over here in the far east, is that people are quick to snub you if you have 4X4 for the winter time. Though, the prejudice seems to be valid, as most cars seen in the ditch are a 4X4 truck or SUV.

In my case it just happens to be necessary or else I'm stuck home till the plow goes by (sometimes as late as 3 PM, not good if you have to get to work!) I also have a SWB SUV, which will kick out from under you faster then most other things, and is less able to power out of a sliding situation in 2X4 from my own experiences.

Besides those who deserve it, anyone else find 4X4/AWD gets a nose turned up reaction?

Hey,
I understand a lot of people need 4x4 or awd just because of where they live and to be safer safer when driving on our roads. Perhaps I offended you because of the age group I picked for my scenario. How about this one then......mid 30's trophy wife driving around in her new Caddie SUV while driving in a snowstorm (speeding of course), picking through her Ipod for music all the while thinking everything is fine because of the "safety" options on her new ride....wait for it.....Boom, accident.
Adam

Totally not offended, don't worry about it :) I know most people in their younger years tend to be a little more excitable and dangerous in their driving then most. Just wanted to point out theres a "youngin" that isn't quite like the rest around. Also I've been in a caddy SUV before... fast... but rather scary to make turns with in the slick winter

Chewy wrote:Most ABS systems take on the job with a blustering bravado and make driving in the snow an annoying experience. 5 speed, no abs, awd/4wd and good snowys are the recipe for success imo.

To be honest I'm not 100% sure if its ABS or not, I felt the slight chitter when having to make a hard stop but the brakes are a little jittery and cause a mild vibration when braking lightly, perhaps that could have been it, the non-rebadged version of my car has ABS standard, so I'm still not sure about mine in specific. Should probably find a nice open parking lot on the next big snow and give it another test to figure out if it is with or without.

ABS tech is pretty good in newer cars I find, understandable that some people would prefer to go without, however, the majority of drivers out there wouldn't know how to manage the brakes properly in winter conditions, as well as the newer systems tend to mange brakes individually which is something you just cant do without advanced ABS systems.

All opinion though, its to bad you cant have the best of both worlds, a car with an ABS off switch!