Topic: Noto's first car purchase

[Noto]

We have a single friend who owns a cottage and she's been using my wife and my household as her single "bubble" throughout the pandemic as permitted.  We're heading up tomorrow, the three of us, for NYE for a change of scenery (she has been going up herself every few weekends, but my wife's work doesn't let us work remotely from up there, though she now has a few days off).  Bringing everything with us and not going into any stores in town or en route.

The forecast suggests 10cm fell yesterday and another 10cm is expected tomorrow through midday.  We'll be heading up in the evening.   I'm sure major roads will be plowed, but the last ~2km just off the main road as we approach the destination may be... Ummm... Dicey.

I'm debating whether to take the Forester or the 3.  Basically, the only pros fit the Subaru are higher ground clearance and I suppose more legroom for our friend (not my concern ).  The Mazda will otherwise be more comfortable, will use less fuel (and actually has better range than the Foz despite a 17L larger tank since the Foz never gets below 10L/100km highway and likely worse in snow), and generally would be my preference.

With 5.5" of clearance, an accumulation of >14cm would turn that fresh fascia into a plow and the poor undercarriage could make cringeworthy sounds.  We have no way of knowing the accumulation on the roads before we get there.  Fresh untouched pow also likely wouldn't be an issue so long as there aren't awful tire ruts...

This will either be a huge mistake or an amazing test for the be AWD system and Hakkapeliita tires.

Any thoughts?  Am I being utterly and completely reckless to try out the 3 for this trip?

[2JDM]

Take the Forester. Full time AWD and ground clearance for storms like these. Its what its made for.

[dirtyjeffer]

aren't we all in a grey zone?

[Triple Bob]

We have a single friend who owns a cottage and she's been using my wife and my household as her single "bubble" throughout the pandemic as permitted.  We're heading up tomorrow, the three of us, for NYE for a change of scenery (she has been going up herself every few weekends, but my wife's work doesn't let us work remotely from up there, though she now has a few days off).  Bringing everything with us and not going into any stores in town or en route.

The forecast suggests 10cm fell yesterday and another 10cm is expected tomorrow through midday.  We'll be heading up in the evening.   I'm sure major roads will be plowed, but the last ~2km just off the main road as we approach the destination may be... Ummm... Dicey.

I'm debating whether to take the Forester or the 3.  Basically, the only pros fit the Subaru are higher ground clearance and I suppose more legroom for our friend (not my concern ).  The Mazda will otherwise be more comfortable, will use less fuel (and actually has better range than the Foz despite a 17L larger tank since the Foz never gets below 10L/100km highway and likely worse in snow), and generally would be my preference.

With 5.5" of clearance, an accumulation of >14cm would turn that fresh fascia into a plow and the poor undercarriage could make cringeworthy sounds.  We have no way of knowing the accumulation on the roads before we get there.  Fresh untouched pow also likely wouldn't be an issue so long as there aren't awful tire ruts...

This will either be a huge mistake or an amazing test for the be AWD system and Hakkapeliita tires.

Any thoughts?  Am I being utterly and completely reckless to try out the 3 for this trip?

Why are you mixing households at all? The risk is small (grocery shopping et al regardless of bubble) but why take it?

[quadzilla]

Take the car and do some drifting videos. 

[Gurgie]

Take the 3, stretch its legs a little... it'll be fine.

Sent from my SM-G970W using Tapatalk

[Noto]

aren't we all in a grey zone?

I was quite specific in relation to this in my post.  First, no, not grey -provincial lockdown did away with the colour system temporarily.  Secondly, if you live alone you're allowed to join one other household and that's what our friend has done.  There is also no restriction on traveling to your secondary properties with a request that you do not go into stores in your secondary locale.  We're doing everything by the books and our poor friend otherwise has nobody - mental health is important as well during these times.  We'd be seeing her whether we're home or at her cottage since she otherwise lives in a tiny 1 bedroom apartment.

FWIW, the Forester's snow tires are Michelin Xi3 that are on their 4th season.  The Hakkapeliitas have less than 500km on them and  ought to be better than the Foz for the majority of the drive.

... The only concern is whether I'll get stuck on the last road approaching the cottage, but I suspecthope we won't have any issues.

[OliverD]

Why are you mixing households at all? The risk is small (grocery shopping et al regardless of bubble) but why take it?

If you're otherwise being responsible the risk is mitigated significantly.

And as Noto mentioned, mental health is super important. Not everyone does well living on their own and not being able to see others.

[OliverD]

As for your question, I think you should be fine if the accumulation is not super dense snow. I remember driving my GTI on my 3 km unplowed road numerous times and it was fine. With AWD and good winter tires you should be all set.

[JohnnyMac]

I'd take the 3 also.  When I had my Golf R it allowed snow on a number of occasions and never got stuck.  I'm sure your 3 has more ground clearance and good winter tires.  Plus if you get stuck it'll give you a reason to use the Mazda roadside assistance.

[HeliDriver]

If it's really 20 cm, the 3 on its new Hakkas should be more than up to the task.

But what if that 20 cm actually turns into 30? And what if it's much deeper in dense drifts across the road? In that case, you'd be better off in the Forester. Well, you would be if it was on good tires... not so sure about four-year-old X-Ices. 

Anyway, I know how the decision would get made in my household: wife says take the Forester, because CUV. Duh!    And if I overrule and take the 3 because it's a perfectly logical choice? Not sure it's worth the risk of a major I told you so! in case it doesn't work out.

[Bubba]

Take the Forester.

[Ex-airbalancer]

If it's really 20 cm, the 3 on its new Hakkas should be more than up to the task.

But what if that 20 cm actually turns into 30? And what if it's much deeper in dense drifts across the road? In that case, you'd be better off in the Forester. Well, you would be if it was on good tires... not so sure about four-year-old X-Ices. 

Anyway, I know how the decision would get made in my household: wife says take the Forester, because CUV. Duh!    And if I overrule and take the 3 because it's a perfectly logical choice? Not sure it's worth the risk of a major I told you so! in case it doesn't work out.

I would just get Helidriver to fly me in 

[sailor723]

As noted it's a bit of a coin toss. Better tires on the 3 vs extra ground clearance on the Subaru. If you are suggesting that the final 2 km might be unplowed I'd go with the Forester. Otherwise, take the Mazda

[Bubba]

If it's really 20 cm, the 3 on its new Hakkas should be more than up to the task.

But what if that 20 cm actually turns into 30? And what if it's much deeper in dense drifts across the road? In that case, you'd be better off in the Forester. Well, you would be if it was on good tires... not so sure about four-year-old X-Ices. 

Anyway, I know how the decision would get made in my household: wife says take the Forester, because CUV. Duh!    And if I overrule and take the 3 because it's a perfectly logical choice? Not sure it's worth the risk of a major I told you so! in case it doesn't work out.

I would just get Helidriver to fly me in 

If you're lucky, he'll let you use a parachute!

[Noto]

Here, HD, HD, HD!  where are you, HD, HD, HD?  Your services are required!! 

[HeliDriver]

Here, HD, HD, HD!  where are you, HD, HD, HD?  Your services are required!! 

I'd love to, but can't allow any strangers in my Covid bubble.   

[Scaerio]

I can't believe no one has made an inappropriate comment about Noto taking off to a cottage with 2 women...

[Blueprint]

I can't believe no one has made an inappropriate comment about Noto taking off to a cottage with 2 women...

 

[Bubba]

I can't believe no one has made an inappropriate comment about Noto taking off to a cottage with 2 women...