[DevinTHEdude]

I usually do a lot of reading on this forum and collect as much information as i can before i make my decision but there is one question i can't find a legit answer to. I live in RI and we get a decent amount of snow in the winter. My question is whether it would be smarter to go with an AWD Charger or the RWD. I want to HEMI regardless and the Daytona Edition really has my attention. The only down fall is that the Daytona is not offered in AWD. I've read a lot about some people saying its the worst snow car ever and others who say it was fine. Then there are people who say it depends on your tires. I'm looking for some advice from someone who has lived in New England a long time and battled driving in the snow before. The car would be an every day driver. I just dont want to get stuck if i have to drive 45 minutes down 195 in Mass to go see my chick's parents and run the risk of losing control. I drive large trucks for a living now that are RWD and terrible in the snow. The only thing that helps is how heavy they are. My FWD eclipse is alright but i'm sick of it and had my eye on the charger since 06. Just finally have the money saved up to make a move. Any advice would be great

 

[Ron380]

Personally, I only get AWD cars anymore. I like them THAT much and not just in the winter! Put 4 actual snow tires on, and they go like a tank!

That being said, these LX cars, even RWD, with the traction control, etc. and with 4 snow tires- I've heard many good reports about how well they do in the snow with the proper technique.

Some of the people who had a lot of trouble with them in the snow, also admitted they were still using their Summer High-Performance tires... = FAIL!!

 

[DevinTHEdude]

That makes sense. Is the pick-up from a dead stop that much better being AWD too? The occasional WOT from a stop light always makes me feel whiley when i'm sucked into my seat and the Civic next to me gets pissed when he looks foolish falling behind!

 

[Ron380]

In the snow? Oh, heyall yeah! :laugh: On dry or wet roads... well, with the AWD you don't have very many launch problems to worry about, but you won't do any tire-smoking burnouts, either. Your choice...

I run an occasional road course, too, and high-speed cornering is pretty darn good with AWD! :grin:

 

[PlumCrazy1008]

IMHO: forget the AWD and go for the Daytona.

I've driven RWD all of my life around the snow of Pittsburgh - sure it's a little tricker, but the trade-off for the days when there's no snow is unbeatable. Correction, for two years, I had a FWD and buried it couple times, too.

I have a 4x4 truck, but only pull the lever when I'm off-road or feeling lazy. I had a 2wd truck for a few years and did all right.

The Charger's balanced very well, and with the traction control and a set of good snow tires, I don't think you'll be that bad off - bad off like I was the night I was sliding downhill backwards in my Duster while the speedo was flucuating between 35 and 45 mph.

A woman at work has an AWD Charger and she still panics when it snows.

No, I don't drive my Daytona in the snow - my logic is why when I have an 11 yo pick-up truck to drive in the muck. The Daytona's tires will spin on wet pavement - I'm sure she'd be a dog in the snow.

Maybe that's an answer... just buy the Daytona and pick up a cheap used Dodge FWD or pick-up for the days when you don't want to beat up the Charger.

Good luck with your decision...

 

[SublimeInMA]

I live in Western Mass. and I purchased my car in Febuary of '07. there hadnt been snow for weeks and sure enough!! 2 days after she sits in my driveway it snows. Absolutely ZERO issue in light or deep snow 2 years running. it is my daily driver as I have not been able to get an alternate vehicle. I dont run snow tires, not a leadfoot and have no trouble.

Good luck
Tom

 

[Phanta5m]

i had the same decision to make back in Jul 07 and ended up choosing the AWD RT... a year later, I upgraded to an SRT and couldn't be happier. I loved my AWD but to me it couldn't compare to the RWD experience.

 

[PlumCrazy814]

AWD if it's going to be your only ride.
RWD sucks in the bad snow ice no matter what you have, unless it's a big heavy tractor with AG tires or a rear mounted engine car, and even that is debatable. (In my opinion)

 

[Brad SXT]

Driving RWD in the snow definitely does require a bit more technique than an AWD, which you should definitely take into consideration.

I don't live in New England, but I base this off my experience yesterday with this wonderful ice storm we had in the midwest. I felt kind of out of place since I was THE ONLY person I saw driving around in anything except a 4wd vehicle. :slap:

Don't know how the Hemi's compare in the snow but with my little V6 I had no trouble at all. A couple of 4wd guys did.

IMO RWD is alot more fun, and Daytona's are some of the best looking chargers around.

 

[Santagata]

To tell you the truth! I'm ready to sale the Daytona and get a Dodge Ram! Screw this weather!!

 

[1finecharger]

To tell you the truth! I'm ready to sale the Daytona and get a Dodge Ram! Screw this weather!!

Pace yourself Santa, lol, there's only alittle over a month left to go or so til spring....and counting! At least we are half way through winter---glass half full concept...

 

[Santagata]

Pace yourself Santa, lol, there's only alittle over a month left to go or so til spring....and counting! At least we are half way through winter---glass half full concept...

I can't wait. Yesterday morning I had to change my tire on I-91 during the morning rush hour!! Now I need to cough up $300.00 for a new one!

 

[1finecharger]

I can't wait. Yesterday morning I had to change my tire on I-91 during the morning rush hour!! Now I need to cough up $300.00 for a new one!

ooooo, ouch. Then spring is looking a long way off for you....don't worry not alone in the patience dept. I was done with winter two weeks ago!!! 1fine is sitting patient, but I sure the hell am not!!!

 

[SublimeInMA]

I can't wait. Yesterday morning I had to change my tire on I-91 during the morning rush hour!! Now I need to cough up $300.00 for a new one!

Thats a lot of powdered donuts and mud slides

 

[BigMech]

This is my second winter in my RWD R/T in New England. I drive 25 miles each way to work, year round, and haven't had any problems. Last winter I ran the stock Continental tires, and this year I put snows on my stock rims since I got new rims with summer tires. Between the traction control, ABS, stability control and snow tires, the car does really well in the snow. No issues getting started, stopping or turning. You just need to leave ESP on be and gentle with the gas pedal.

The snow tires do make a difference. You can always get the Daytona, and then buy some used 18" R/T rims or the police steel rims to put snow tires on. Snow tires are much cheaper in 18" than 20".

I have driven mine to work in all the snow storms this year with any issues, and this has been a really crappy winter so far.

 

[Crazy J]

I've lived in NE all my life...most of it right on the border of RI. I've driven all kinds of vehicles in the snow. Last year my Bee was a DD and as such I drove it all through the winter on stock RSA's and had no issues. Why? Because the first major factor is your own ability to handle the white stuff. Successfully driving in the snow takes a different type of thinking/attitude. If you have good winter driving skills then go with the Daytona if that is what catches your eye. Put some good snows tires on it and between your skills, the tires, and traction control you'll be fine. Remember, NE isn't snowy all the time so you really want to like what your driving.
A bit of extra information: My Bee is no longer a DD. We bought an 03 S10. Obviously it's a pick-up so it's extremely light over the rear wheels and it's RWD. I put Hankook Winterforce I-Pike's on it for winter with no extra weight in the bed and it has been great. I think that helps to speak to the importance of your own ability to drive and good snow tires.

Good luck on your decision.

-J

 

[YKW]

To tell you the truth! I'm ready to sale the Daytona and get a Dodge Ram! Screw this weather!!

X2 on the weather. Since I don't drive it to work and with the crappy weather, i haven't even made my break in miles yet.

 

[rob06charger]

This winter blows. I am scheduling the pool opening for the 1st week of May and I'm going to turn the heater up to 84. Ahh the power of positive thinking. I feel better already....

 

[UNCLESPARKY]

blizzak tires

chicago winters with blizzak tires did the trick with my 06 mango
had to get rid of the old jeep and was really dreading daily driving with the dodge. tried short trips on the stock tires when she was new and was white knuckling the whole way. I am not new to chicago or rwd cars... once the winter tires went on....ahhh. I will never drive this car without them once the temps drop.

 

[xtcbct]

Go for the Daytona! I did and I'm having no problems driving in the snow. However, I am having the clean car problem, this thing is disgusting now! I can't stand it, but it's my daily driver, my only car! I see you are from RI, this past summer in August when I was purchasing my car, I went to RI to look at a GoMango Daytona. Tarbox Toyota had a Daytona with low mileage. It was a smokers car so it turned me away...but it was in great cosmetic shape and had a few bells and whistles. Not sure if they still have it, but the price was right! Perhaps, you can give them a call? It would be nice to have a few more Daytonas here in New England!

Good luck
Xian