mizmelzywi

The tires I got were not cheap tires. I can't remember the name off hand but when getting tires we specified tires that are good all around for snow, water, slippery surfaces ect. The person we spoke to said they have the tires we bought on their vehicle and they are great in snow and rain. We spent like $700 on the 4 tires. So they were not cheap tires. The tires that it came with looked in good condition but it was a donation vehicle to a charity and probably sat for a while unused. They were making strange noises and found that one tire was going bad so we had them replaced. As for the all wheel drive, my husband works at an auto auction and deals with Subaru's on a daily basis as well as many other vehicles. He tested it to make sure the all wheel drive was working and it was. But will have him double check the fuse. When on flat surface in snow I do very well. I don't feel slipping or anything. But we are looking for a new vehicle in Spring, and I'd like to have another Subaru. Will have to test drive a Forester to see which I like better. Not sure we are going brand new or if we are going used no more than 2 years old super low miles. Melissa

I'm new to the board. I currently have a 2001 Subaru Outback. I've had it two years, and was lucky enough to find it at a great price with only 80,000 original miles and in pristine condition. Last winter was the first winter I had it. I came from an 02 Trailblazer. With the Trailblazer I could have up to about 6 inches of snow and plow up the driveway with it. I was told by another Subaru owner they had no problems driving in high amounts of snow. We have a drive way with an maybe 15-20 degree gradual incline (included attached photo for reference). This past winter with 5 inches I had issues getting up the driveway. Since my husband is away most of the week for work, and I can't start the snow blower I usually just shovel to the attached garage since it's a smaller and shorter distance. Normally I'd drive the vehicle up the driveway park it in the garage and shovel. This past winter I got stuck and had to shovel around the car in order to get up it. I also had almost new tires on it as well. This next spring we are looking to get a new vehicle. I'd love a new outback or Forester. I do know that the new models sit higher off the ground with a ground clearance of at least 8.1 inches, and Forrester was approximately the same. The Trailblazer had ground clearance of 8 inches. So based on those figures I should be okay with a Outback or Forrester with at least 8 inches of ground clearance to get up the driveway in heavy snow. How well do the newer Subaru Outback and Forrester handle in deeper snow? Has anyone had issues that lives in areas that get large amounts of snow? I did like having the 4 wheel drive versatility but can't afford the gas price. LOVE the gas price of the Subaru. Cut my gas cost in half. Also my current Subaru has the Weather package on it with heated wipers, side mirrors, weather radio, and heated cloth seats. With newer models is this package still available? And does it still have a weather radio option, and cloth heated seats? I am doing research so that this spring when we go out looking I know what I want and need. Wish I knew someone with a new outback/forester that I could test out this winter. Unfortunately I don't. Hoping some here can help. Thanks, Mel