Comments on: Down on the dole

By: fuzzytoedcollie

fuzzytoedcollie — Tue, 16 Sep 2003 14:53:23 +0000

*wow*
The Edmonds article was an eye-opener. Good luck on the car purchase.
…and weathering the hurricane, however it hits.
‘toes
running around preping the house and nabbing supplies

By: woofwoofarf

woofwoofarf — Tue, 16 Sep 2003 14:45:52 +0000

In reply to roho.

Re: 4wd and Traction Assist
Honestly, we’re avoiding the issue completely and just going for a 2WD car 🙂 There’s absolutely no call for a 4×4 in North Carolina – we don’t off-road, and if the roads are bad enough that you need four-wheel drive I don’t want to be out with the idiots that don’t know how to drive on them! Now, eventually we may wind up in Chicago or places north but even then, if you need four-wheel drive, I think we’d both just as soon stay at home and not brave the roads.
Plus, I think on both of these models four-wheel drive pushes them up out of our price range.

By: roho

roho — Tue, 16 Sep 2003 14:37:08 +0000

In reply to nrasser.

Re: 4wd and Traction Assist
Looks like both the Element and the Escape have limited slip to some degree in the 4×4 models (the Element comes in a 2WD form, and I couldn’t find anything on the site about the differential on that). However, the Escape also allows you to lock the hubs, which is a definite plus if you guys are honestly worried about getting stuck.
Personally, I think some advice I saw once sounds pretty good…if you’re looking for a 4×4, be leery of any model that is also offered in a 2WD form 😉

By: nrasser

nrasser — Tue, 16 Sep 2003 12:59:11 +0000

Hurricane fun!
I went through the hurricane that hit New York in ’85…that was no Category 3, but it made quite a mess. Unfortunately, I was in the army at the time and had to help clean the mess up.
Keep your fur dry down there!

By: nrasser

nrasser — Tue, 16 Sep 2003 12:51:43 +0000

In reply to camstone.

4wd and Traction Assist
Any 4wd which does not have “traction assist” (I.E, Positraction) in either of the differentials will do exactly as you described when “teetered” on opposing corners. Most full-size pickups and nearly all older 4wd vehicles do not have traction assist as a standard feature(except for Dodges which often had Posi in at least the rear axle), but many SUV-class 4wd’s now have it as standard equipment. It will appear as a sticker item.

By: camstone

camstone — Tue, 16 Sep 2003 08:36:24 +0000

Ford Escape!!!
I have a 2002 Escape (XLT with 6cyl), and love it! It’s really not considered a full 4×4 though. If somehow, you unwittingly get lifted off the two opposing wheels (say RF and LR,) Essentially you’re hosed – even in 4×4 drive. I learned that the hard way this last winter. Still, it’s a great ride and holds a ton of stuff! I got green with sand interior, and it’s great. Also got the side step rails, which are a good investment and got the superior sound system (Dang good!) Only other bad point is the road noise, as you will hear it more than most other cars. Minor inconvience, but you get used to it. Still, at 20mpg or better (and like 25 hiway) it’s a really good deal.
Oh, and good luck with Hurricane Preps… we’re thinking about you too!