Hey all,
I ordered my FM 5 Speed Nov. 11 and am still waiting. I live in Rochester, NY and was wondering if any of you guys have experienced snow in the xa. Just out of curiousity, was wondering how it handles in the snow compared to other vehicles or any experiences youve had in the snow. Right now i drive a 93 Ford Probe and am hoping itll be better than that. Thanks alot

 

Because it is a short wheelbase car, it causes a lot weight to be thrown rear-ward when accelerating. . . which is why traction is very difficult when accelerating. But in contrast, braking is great and very responsive, as all the weight is thrown forward, where it is most needed. The rear is light enough not to come loose. This is from my recent trip to Tahoe (and first time in the snow in the xA).

 

I just drove in some nasty weather this past weekend to and from Western Massachusetts Route 8, I 95 and I 91. The xA drove admirably despite only having all season tires in slick conditions.


That said on steep hills going down, I did experience sliding if I was over 40 miles and going into a turn, which was a little scary but manageable. I felt that if I had snow tires on even that would not have happened.

 

had a somewhat major snow storm in dc a week ago with around 4-6 inches by 5:00am. i usually go to work around 4:30 in morning before the plows are out. the car did admirably in the snow with stock 15" tires with 6000 miles.. of course my fastest speed was only 40mph on the highway. i didn't feel at anytime the wheels got loose.

as supposed to my previous '05 mazda3 hatchbatch with stock 17" wheels. i couldn't even move after a full stop and i couldn't even kept the car going straight in about 2 inches of snow. the tires had about 4000 miles on them.