FWD in the snow

We've been driving in a lot of various weather conditions this winter in Wisconsin this year. Snow, ice, and rain, sometimes all in the same day. I think it handles okay, we haven't had any problems. I wish I had 4wd again, but the fwd is adequate. I have noticed that if you go too fast around a corner and the front end starts pushing out, it will apply the brakes even if you're still on the gas, and get it under control again.

My wife and I have the Enclave fwd and it has driven just fine in the snow. We are in Columbus, Oh. Don't let the marketing fool you. This is a minivan all dressed up. Or at leaset more minivan than SUV. Minivans have primarly gone with fwd for years with no problems. I've seen people get caught up on this issue many times. Approach it like you would if you were buying a minivan and I think you be okay.

I live in Utah and have a FWD Outlook. It is a pig in the snow. We wish we would have gone for the AWD now.

I'm sorry to hear that ("it's a pig in the snow").
I have the FWD XR and live in NJ. We have not seen any serious snow yet but I may encounter 5-10 days a year (at most) of "unplowed" snow. Considering the other 355-360 days of the year are snowless roads for me.....giving a chance to do it all over again, I would still select the FWD and save the $2000..... and get slightly better fuel economy.
Key1

VMMVMMM said:

I live in Utah and have a FWD Outlook. It is a pig in the snow. We wish we would have gone for the AWD now.

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You made a mistake. Period. I live in Wiscsonsin and we get plenty of snow. Our Outlook is great in the snow because it's flat land. Had I lived in a snowy, mountainous area there is no question I would have gotten AWD.

Marcm94 said:

Just purchased a XR FWD and wondering how well it does in the snow. It has the 19" wheel package. Thanks in advance for any input, new to the Saturn Family.

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The Touring package (19's) tires supposedly aren't as good in the snow as the standard tires.

tk421 said:

The Touring package (19's) tires supposedly aren't as good in the snow as the standard tires.

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I have the touring pkg w/ the 19's and so far so good in the snow, but I dont go out and look for mountains of snow to drive through either, just drive in it when I need to w/ the Outlook. I have a 97' Blazer 4x4 to drive when things get really ugly and I have to get somewhere.

tk421 said:

The Touring package (19's) tires supposedly aren't as good in the snow as the standard tires.

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I have the 19" tires as well and after 18576 miles, they handle the snow and rain really well. We have had all kinds of goofy winter weather here in the Seattle area.

tk421 said:

You made a mistake. Period. I live in Wiscsonsin and we get plenty of snow. Our Outlook is great in the snow because it's flat land. Had I lived in a snowy, mountainous area there is no question I would have gotten AWD.

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Yep. Had I been able to do it all over again, I would have gone with AWD. I haven't ever had AWD and haven't ever needed it in Utah, but this car is just SOOOOO heavy that without it on a snowy hill, you're stuck. Our previous car - a minivan - was much lighter, so we never had any issues unless it was ridiculous outside.

That being said, for the most part, the FWD does just fine, and even in Utah, the amount of time that roads are really bad enough that we get stuck is very rare. This year we have had a number of storms over the past couple of months, so it has reared it's head. It's one of those things where you know you'll only have to deal with it a couple of times a year, but those times are so uncomfortable and dangerous, I think right now I would trade the small increase in fuel economy for the peace of mind.

smokeyy said:

My wife and I have the Enclave fwd and it has driven just fine in the snow. We are in Columbus, Oh. Don't let the marketing fool you. This is a minivan all dressed up. Or at leaset more minivan than SUV. Minivans have primarly gone with fwd for years with no problems. I've seen people get caught up on this issue many times. Approach it like you would if you were buying a minivan and I think you be okay.

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While I have never owned a minivan I have driven one on several occasions. I have owned a Suburban. No way the Outlook rides like a minivan. I was going between a tahoe and the Outlook and choose customer loyalty. One person even tried to compare the Outlook to the SW1 I traded in. Not even close. I got the Outlook because it handles like an SUV, gives me the room like a Tahoe, but gives me the mileage like a minivan.

Marcm94 said:

Just purchased a XR FWD and wondering how well it does in the snow. It has the 19" wheel package. Thanks in advance for any input, new to the Saturn Family.

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Try a set of good winter tires with your FWD. winter tires are the key, don't get hung up on all (no) season tires...