Learn me used Prius and snow driving

I have a friend whose commute is up and down a mountain side that is regularly covered with snow and ice in the winter time. He currently makes the commute in a Subaru wagon that's getting very long in the tooth.

Friend would like to pick up a used Prius, probably something in the 2008 and newer range. He's looking for a gas-sipping appliance and likes the specs of the Prius.

He has been told by someone that the Prius does not allow any wheelspin and that it will lock up before allowing wheelspin. Obviously, that's not very compatible with a slippy-slidy commute. I can't imagine that Prius drivers never drive in the snow... Where's the truth on this matter? If this is indeed a limitation is it worse than any other computer-controlled fwd car in the snow?

Also open to other suggestions for a car that fits this profile. I realize the new Impreza is rated at 36 hwy and it's on his radar as well.

As much as the Prius sucks to drive, it seems to be a pretty good commuting appliance. With the high number of these cars on the road parts should be pretty plentiful going forward.

He should get the prius and move to a place that doesn't have an uphill driveway

You can buy dirtbag tercel and get as good mileage as a used prius at a fraction of the cost. I'm not saying the technology isn't interesting, I just don't find it to be a viable alternative to better MPG's at this point.

Prius + snow = hangman's noose.

http://youtu.be/hrcfA1BvRu8

One of my colleagues here has an early Prius as a DD. He's also got an Explorer Hybrid for winter as he's got to go over the same 7200" pass I have to use to get to work.

Nashco wrote: http://youtu.be/hrcfA1BvRu8

Well that shows they will spin. A good set of snow tires would help with that.

I see a lot of Prius owners around here and we usually get 5 months of real winter. Id say get it and a set of snows and enjoy the great mpg's. Although he could probably get a new accent for less than the used Prius and get almost the same mileage.

My problem with my insight (which may not extend to the prius) was on regen braking in the snow/ice. It would freak out sometimes at lower speeds as the tires slipped while on the brakes and made a terrible noise.

BoxheadTim wrote: One of my colleagues here has an early Prius as a DD. He's also got an Explorer Hybrid for winter as he's got to go over the same 7200" pass I have to use to get to work.

There's no such thing as an Explorer hybrid. Do you mean Escape?

We've never had problems with our Prius in the snow here in Massachusetts.

Yeah, probably. Those SUVs all look the same to me ; it's a Ford Hybrid SUV...

My first gen Prius at work has no problem spining the wheels in snow, it drives like any other small fwd car I've ever had

OEM tires are low-rolling resistance and known to be poor in snow and ice. Get good winter tires and you should be fine.

David

the proper winter tyres can make any car a snow star

mad_machine wrote: the proper winter tyres can make any car a snow star

Amen to that.

mad_machine wrote: the proper winter tyres can make any car a snow star

I have a hard time believing my Mustang could ever be considered good in the snow.

Here's to hoping I can find a beater before it starts snowing again, though.

Re: dirtbag Tercel advice. From looking at real world gas mileage at fuelly.com Tercels seem to be in the 32-35mpg range while most Priuses (Prii?) are north of 40. A material difference. Also the more modern safety features and business present-ability of the Prius are of material value to the shopper (I realize this information was not in my original post so I apologize for omitting that).

Based on what I can find (here and elsewhere) I think my recommendation to the friend is that he get a Prius, throw snow tires on it and if it doesn't work well he can sell it in the spring. I don't see anything that indicates these cars are any less capable than other fwd cars in the snow.

Thanks for your help.

twolittlebroncos wrote: I don't see anything that indicates these cars are any less capable than other fwd cars in the snow.

I would theorize that a Prius may be more capable than many other small FWD cars in snow. My (limited) experience is that many FWD cars are light in the ass end, making it absurdly easy to swing the tail out.

A Prius has more weight in back, due to the batteries. That may actually solve the problem.

We average about 47 mpg in the winters, 55mpg in the summer. The cold saps you because the engine is always running to provide heat.