On Fri, 29 Oct 2004 15:51:29 -0500, Chris W wrote:

Do you seriously think that snow and ice are the only reason to have
4WD? You need to get out of the city more.

Guffaw, I live in rural Vermont in the woods off a mile long uphill
dirt road. My wife and I have had no choice but to use 4WD vehicals
if we really want to get home every day. And we still find some days
when even that doesn't work, days when it's raining on top of slush,
on top of ice. Thankfully, those conditions don't occur often.

On steep mountain roads a
little rain can make 4WD helpful. Drive down a dirt road after some bad
rain often enough and you will wish eventually wish you had 4WD

Can't tell you how many 4WD vehicals go off the road up here in
northern NE because the owners assumed that that feature would keep
them on the road in snow and ice. It doesn't. Whether you're driving
a Toyota Camry or a Humvee, go too fast for the corner in snow or ice
and you'll be off the road. The first snow storm of the season is
always a gotcha for many around here for two reasons: 1. The first
several storms, as well as the last several, are usually really greasy
stuff, far more slippery than the snow we get in mid winter. 2.
People do not slow down for the now marginal conditions, they continue
on as if it were summer and pay the price. Ok, there's a third
reason: not changing from the run down summer tires to new winters.

Most SUV's are luxury family vehicals located in suburbia and are not
driven on the dirt roads you mention.

Corky Scott