It finally snowed here in the Northeast (10-12 inches). So why is everyone driving their SUV 5mph? I thought the purpose of owning an SUV was to be prepared and confident for this type of weather/terrain. Please don’t tell me that all these people bought these extremely expensive vehicles only because they are “trendy”. I can understand one or two folks taking it slow because this is their first time out with the vehicle in a storm and they’re testing the waters so to speak, but everybody? Are they worried about damaging such a costly investment? If so then what’s the point of owning one? I was running circles around these things in my little Corolla. Any of you guys have an SUV? What’s the story?
Hey! you answered your own question. It’s the first snow! They’re being careful. Just because you drive a big ol’ SUV doesn’t mean you’re exempt from the laws of physics. Turn too fast and you’re skating. I am amazed at people who think an SUV gives them some sort of super traction.
On another note, if you are the only one driving fast, perhaps you should reconsider what you’re doing.
It’s funny you said you were running circles around the other cars. I’ve seen plenty of cars running(spinning) in circles.
Personally, I think it’s the cross-gender “mine is bigger than yours” type thing. Just cause you have an SUV doesn’t mean you know how to drive one! I think you are partially right - they don’t want to scratch their new “baby”. Sheesh!
Hey, I live here in Raleigh too. Recently moved here after nine years of snow hell in Montana. Yesterday and today when I went out in my SUV (Jeep Grand Cherokee) I drove with all the experience I have learned living in such a snow state.
My ass was one of those people driving 5mph, on snow pack over ice. I was the one laughing at people like you, as you slid off the road.
Sure your little front-wheel drive car was great on the cleared roads, but did I see you follow me out on the side roads (not cleared) to get to the people who were stuck?
Not!
When I said 5mph, I was speaking the literal truth. I can walk faster than that for Christ sake. Being forced to follow someone who thinks that in order to get up that hill they need to slow to a crawl causes more problems, in my opinion, than someone (me) trying to gain as much momentum as possible in order to get to the top.
Mr Thin, I’ve had one instance where I lost control of my car in the snow and ended up in a ditch, had to get towed out etc, and that was 17 years ago when I was 16. When these SUVers are doing 5mph, 25mph is all it takes to “run circles around them”. It sounds like I’m exaggerating about the 5mph, I know, but I’m not.
Of course, I’d be highly pissed if any SUV’s were riding my ass in the snow while I forged along at 30mph, just because they had better traction.
My point is, I quess, that it’s impractical to purchase an SUV if your afraid to drive it the way it was intended to be driven.
I once owned a '72 Landcruiser FJ40; Wonderful beast! It would climb straight up in 4/low if I asked it, but was a terror on packed snow or ice!
Having a huge cast iron 6 in front and no weight in back made life interesting.
Please keep in mind that with SUVs 4-wheel go doesn’t equate to 4-wheel stop; they succumb quite readily to the laws of physics!
MY complaint with SUVs are the ***holes who think they own the road and ride my bumper hoping to intimidate me.
VB
Remember, you can tune a piano, but you can’t tuna fish!
Ut! Don’t even get me started with SUV’s!
I used to work in Blackhawk California, a rich town in the Bay Area with alot of celebrities. The roads are packed with those GIGANTIC trendy-type SUV’s.
During the day all the teenie-tiny little trophy wives are behind the wheel of these tanks driving little Jennifer to ballet, little peroxide blonde coif barley visible over the dashboard, hardly able to see me and my (then) Plymouth Colt through the dangerously tinted windows. Hey, what the hell. In an accident that extra high cab will just shear right through my flimsy glass hatchback, not to mention me. You’ll be fine and cozy inside, and then you can just hose off the bumper.
Who cares that these monsters are using a legal loophole to be classified as light trucks, thus circumventing mileage and emissions standards for passenger vehicles? Smog standards are for the little people. Who cares that they take up one and one third parking spaces? Ask any schoolyard bully, courtesy is a sign of weakness.
Sorry, off the subject a bit. Just had to vent I guess.
Inky
Actually, you’re MORE subject to the laws of physics. VB said it well. Having 4WD does absolutely NOTHING for stopping. You’ve just got more intertia to pull you into that ditch. Of course, since you have the 4WD, you can just get yourself OUT of the ditch anyway, so… Well, I don’t know, just rambling. Now that almost everyone has anti-lock brakes though, can ya step it up a little. Thank god I’m back in CA!
“It is now proved beyond doubt that smoking is one of the leading causes of statistics.”
aenea said this in the “People who don’t like snow” thread in the Pit:
[quote]
So I moved to North Carolina. The “south” where it is supposed to be warm. And it’s SNOWING!!These people really can’t drive in snow. Arggggg…[\quote]
Guess they all need to get Jeep SUV’s and slow the hell down.
Aenea, what part of Montana did you live in? I lived in Havre up on the high line for three years in the late eighties.
I had an acient VW rabbit and never once got stuck even though I didn’t have snow tires or chains. I got sideways a few times and once had to change my mind on a trip when I started sliding backwards on the highway to Great Falls but never got in trouble. The only time was when I slid off packed snow that was melting in the sun in my boss’ Dodge minivan.
I’ve driven in snow in a rear wheel drive car, my BMW with about a foot of snow on the ground in Oracle Arizona - yes, Arizona, and it’s a little trickier but I still managed to navigate and not drive like an old lady.
That can’t be overstated. I have seen several of them slide right into a snow bank during a lane change. BTW, the general subject of SUVs came up a while back… go check out http://www.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/000995.html to see what we all had to say about them.
Yes, Kent I sure did say that. Seems I had a reason for it. 
I’ve seen people out here with Jeep SUV’s and few of them know how to use that great tool.
Padeye, I was in Bozeman and Livingston, near Yellowstone. You got a bit more of the cold stuff up in Havre. Brrrrr. I do miss the thunderstorms though, I think that nature perfected the art up there in the Big Sky country.
As for driving in snow, it’s like riding a bike - but you have to learn how first. Wide wheel base is a great thing. I’ve seen many VW’s too, out there doing well in the snow. But not in North Carolina this winter. 
At least the roads are flat here, and they don’t wind through desolate mountain passes or treacherous canyons.
One good thing!
If you could remember all of your dreams…
you certainly would not want them to come true.
Padeye, I here ya about the Rabbit!
I own an '81 that I bought brand new, and drove it in Indiana for ten years, never getting it stuck; in fact, I used to pull other people out! In my humble opinion, the Rabbit is hands down one of the best foul weather cars it’s been my pleasure to own!
VB
Remember, you can tune a piano, but you can’t tuna fish!
SUV has now taken on a new meaning:
Suburbanite Über Vehicle
Yer pal,
Satan
When I had my 95 Suburban, living in snow country (well usually) I would drive about 5 miles under the speed limit. Of course this depended upon the snow pack, if there was ice etc.
Not all SUV owners (course mine was the size of a school bus 
don’t know how to drive their vehicle.
Course, I had a reason to have my Big Baby, I sold windows and doors, not because I thought I wanted to surpass the Jones’.