Need an opinion

[pelonedgar]

I've been a member for a couple of years a very happy grand am owner for 5 years. Im starting to look for a 2002 Chevy Trailblazer for a new member to my family. I understand that a 2dr car will not do it no more. Now my question is I live in michigan and get snow. Would it be even worth it to get a 2wd. I wonder if it will handle in the snow pretty well. I understand that a 4x4 might be better, but a 2wd can save me like $3,000. My old man said that he only used his 4x4 a couple of times during his three years with his truck. Any comments or opinions would be appreciated. Thanks

[wushdishmeen]

If snow is what you're worried about, get a 4 wheel drive vehicle. Just make sure the alignment is good and the tires aren't shot. During the winter all my friend's with 4 wheel drive were the ones driving and they were able to do it with ease unlike my 99 grand am gt...it slid all over the place and i couldnt go faster then 10mph without losing traction. :lol:

[pelonedgar]

Thats sounds like my grand am. I fugured since grand ams are light as heck. a heavier vehicle might do the trick.

[wushdishmeen]

You know, I've read plenty of posts on here that people say their Grand AM was awesome in the snow. For a regular car, yes it does have above average traction for a car just because of it's Front wheel drive that you don't see on many. But my true opinion, if I had the money, would be to purchase a 4 wheel drive truck, and drive the Grand AM strictly in dry weather. Trailblazers are a good solution for snow, although you might want to look into Toyota's trucks...4runner? Toyota makes some of the best truck engines.

[SE2000]

If you go with 2wd, get the limited slip axle. If you want your Grand am to go in snow, get 4 snow tires. I have 205/65-15 Blizzacks on mine and my GF runs 205/55-16 on her GT and they go better than a lot of the 4wd vehicles in the area. With their lower center of gravity, less likely to be in the ditch with all the SUV's

[rixGAphx]

A 2wd Blazer would be the WORST possible combination.

Yeah, it's large and has 4 doors so might better meet your seating/luggage needs.

BUT, RWD is the WORST handling/traction combination for snow. Ever. Period.

Your BEST bet, IMO, for seating/luggage/snowdriving would be a FWD mini-van or small 4-dr SUV.

If you like the Trailblazer-size, and you live in Michigan, you MUST go 4wd for winter service.
There aren't any FWD's of that size, to the best of my knowledge.
* * *

GA's are AWSOME in the snow, with the right tires.

Not only tread and rubber compound, but NARROW.
215's spread the weight over so much width that the tread can't 'dig' thru the surface snow to grip pavement or packed snow beneath.
SE2000 says that 205's work, and I believe him.
Personally, I would go with 195's or even 185's for snow-only use.

But living in Phoenix, I don't do snow.
It was 88*F here today. :D :D

Good luck.
-Rick

PS:
I have a 20-yr old Jeep Cherokee with the 2.8 carb'd version of our GM venerable V-6.
Dirt, boulders, mud, snow: Who cares? :D
Part-time 4wd with limited-slip rear axle and good M&S tires > *.*