Reserver's Remorse

Along with a lift kit and a winch!

Just kidding! I'm sure it will do fine, there are many Prius owners here who live in the Great White North and I've read many a post with accounts of how well they do handle snow and ice. I'm sure a good set of snow tires will help tremendously though...

BTW, Welcome to the Forum!

 

I'm a little worried why you title your post "reservers remorse"?

The Prius isn't going to be a 4WD vehicle. It's not going to compare to a Dodge Dakota or any 4WD truck or SUV...it's a different animal.

I think with snow tires and careful driving it's capable of being used in various degrees of winter driving...as are most vehicles...

But if you are already having remorse..at just the idea of an approaching snow storm, then why keep your Dakota at 'The Cabin"?

You may NOT be reaching the ideal of harmony between man, nature and machine championed by many Prius enthusiasts....but keeping a Prius and a Dodge Dakota is not illegal.

Infact, for me the ideal is having an efficient vehicle for 95% or more of my everyday driving..and a specific tool vehicle for the weekends or when I need to haul things. Even if it means I might be burning a significant amount of fossil fuel on a weekend...or in your case when a snow storm hits...

I'd embrace The Prius...you may find your comfort level in using it is much higher than you expect with snow tires and some care...

But I'd also keep the Dakota...with the idea that I'd be using it much, much less. If the snow get's really, really deep...it's nice to be able to keep the new car parked...and take the old one out into the danger....

 

Ya gotta love a logical, rational and well thought out answer. :thumb:
After reading that Id buy a used 4x4 if I could afford to.

 

I'm over here in Green Bay and have been through one winter with my 2010 III. I've found that my Prius in ECO mode is much better in snow than any other front wheel drive I've owned. The power comes on in such a linear fashion that you have to really work to spin the tires. I can see your concern after having 4wd, I had a Subaru with AWD and it was a hoot in snow. However, the fuel mileage was abysmal. My soon to be ex's Mazda 3 had to be pushed from almost every stop sign (exaggeration); she has one hell of a heavy foot.
The only time it's a problem is if you're dragging the front spoiler.
PS How's that old guy workin' out for ya?

 

If the weather gets too bad... do as I do, just stay home.

 

put another log on the fire and make another pot of coffee my friend!

 

Almost is the operative word. Ugh. With mornings just above freezing and a trace bit of snow, the grille-blocking hasn't been entirely removed yet. Fortunately, the lakes are now open and I've been out biking.

11 winters of driving a Prius in Minnesota for me. No truck ever for me, so it wasn't much of a transition anyway. Though, it was odd driving past SUVs in the ditch back when people believed they were safer.
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