I am heading up to Maryland tonight to go snowboarding at a resort and it seems there will be some snow falling. We can use either my G35 coupe with Dunlop M3 Winter Tires or my girl's civic coupe with all season tires but the front tires are getting pretty worn out. Lets keep the discussion based purely on the safety and handling of the cars in the snow and not about my car getting dirty and what not. Our snowboards and luggage will fit in my car after putting the back seats down. I just want to make sure we are choosing the correct car tonight for safety reasons only. Thanks in advance for any advice or input.

 

I'd say take the care with the best/newest winter tires all around. I'd say take the G since the civic is fwd and has crappy tires up front to drive and steer the car. stay safe, have fun. i wish i had the time to go snowboarding again.

 

Damn, same here! But we're trapped in Texas and the closest place is a 10+ hr drive to New Mexico.

Back to the original question, I'd take the G. I rode in my friend's Civic to Mt. Baldy in Cali couple of years ago during the summer and the engine almost blew up. So if you're going to be driving up any hills or inclined terrain, take a car with rear wheel drive and lots of torque.

 

I agree that the civic with the worn tire up front is probally not a good idea

 

i usually rent a car for snowboarding trips.

 

ditto.

 

Front wheel drive is better in the snow. However tire condition plays a more important role...

If rears are good on the civic, i'd move them up front real quick...easy to do and should be done anyways IMO. On fwd, I always like the best tires up front...

 

You headed to WISP by chance? I will be headed there tonight with my brother and sister in-law. I would take the G. I just feel it is a more controlable car. The roads up here around WISP are so overly treated you should have any issues with the G. I have never seen an area so on top of their road conditions.

 

depends on your driving skills. I am assuming you are able to drive in the snow well. The G is a bit tricky in the snow (RWD car) but if you can follow the golden rule of slow and steady, you will be just fine. Have a safe weekend! I will also be snowboarding this weekend. South Lake Tahoe here I come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Um rotate the civic's tires and take that. Or go down and buy 2 good all seasons for the civic and bring some cable chains.

 

I never got stuck in my integra no matter what the condition of the tires were. I vote the civic.

 

If you are headed to WISP, then the uphills on the way will kill the civic. Last time I went to Deep Creek (WISP area) i drove my girls car and I swear I had to floor it most of the way there. Good thing the engine didnt blow. I say, rent a car if you want to be really safe.

 

Yup I am headed to WISP. I think I will be taking the G for sure now that you mention the roads are treated pretty well. I spoke with some friends who are already there and they said it has already started snowing but they also starting sanding the roads too.

 

Makes sense, I'll take the G. I need to use my winter tires anyways, get their money's worth. It is supposed to snow 2 inches at most tonight so hopefully I'll be alright. I'll definitely take it easy on the way.

 

Are you sure you want to chance driving on bad roads with your G? I would take the civic and either move the rears to the front, or get new fronts. That way, if some unwanted off-roading happens or some idiot runs into you, it's not your G. I always take the wifes Mazda to go to the mountain, and we almost always have good roads, but they still have sand/salt on them and I don't need anymore chips on my beloved car.