West Viriginia/Winter Stangers???

Sailor: Where in West Virginia? We have a cabin up near Martinsburg and the winter climate, snow wise, has not been an issue except for a couple of big storms (18+ inches) over the last five years. With that amount of white stuff, everybody will be in the same boat as you. However, if you're down mid-state, more up in the mountains, you'll see more snowfall.

I have yet to navigate Dixi through the snow, but have some previous experience (Colorado and Montana) with winter driving. You'll definitely need some extra weight in the trunk because of the rear wheel drive, like at least 50-75 pounds, but the main thing is that you just can't drive as fast. Which will be hard to do with our sweet rides, of course, but you'll just put your military discipline into play there...

(Former AF, 1976-85)

WV is an awesome state...great people, beautiful country, lotsa open road. Enjoy it!

I live in Minnesota...let's talk about winter driving. Prior to the Stang I drove a 97 T-Bird for 8 years up here. RWD of course with no TCS or antilocks. With 80lbs. of sand in the trunk and the stock "all season radials" it was ok if I paid attention, which is always wise in the winter up here. However, once I switched to BF Goodrich Winter Slaloms on all 4 corners it was night and day. Car was 100% better in the snow, ice, muck, mud, and rain. I started with 40lbs. sand in the trunk and last year I didn't have any! Real snow tires make a monumental difference. Fast forward to delivery day on the Pony. First thing I check is the tires, as all are delivered up here with "all season radials". BF Goodrich Traction TA's. Whoohoo!! I just put a new set of exactly that same tire on my wife's Focus ZTS mid winter last year. So much better even she made comments. And the summer ride on those is wonderful.

So what I'm saying here is that your ability coupled with the right tires will make all the difference in the world. Remember the best handling cars in the world are all RWD. Easy to get out of trouble with the right inputs. That means with the proper friction via tires and a competent hand behind the wheel, I'm thinking you'll be just fine. I'll be experimenting with the TA's with no weight at first and all the electronic goodies on..then if needed I've got up to 240lbs of sandbags available if necessary.

Only thing left to worry about is the other guy....and I've been doing that for years on motorcycles.

Thanks for the input guys. I've never been in an accident that was my fault (Thank God), and believe me, if you're not alert in something as light as a sprinkle in Norfolk, you're done. After reading some of the testimonials, I think I'll be good to go. Last winter was just a hard time to get a read on how the car handled since it seemed that so few ppl really had them in the worst part of winter. From what I remember anyway.

zregime - I'm going to be in Sugar Grove in Pendleton County, not far from Martinsburg according to the map. I've made a few runs out there already, and the deer out there are insane! MANY of them! That's the other fear I have, but that's going to be more of driver attentiveness and driving ability rather than the car's performance to avoid gaining a passenger.

Sailor: Yeah, you should be fine. You're actually a ways away from what's called "the Panhandle", that northeast part of WV where I hang out, but it doesn't look like you're too far up into the mountains. Slade's suggestion re the winter tires is something I may have to consider as well...but like, last year, we had only 1 snowfall greater than eight inches, maybe twenty inches or so total for the whole season, so one wonders if the cost is going to be worth it.

Deer in WV are EVERYWHERE...we've got a little herd that makes their way right past our cabin practically every morning and dusk. Very bucolic, as they say...unless you're drivin', and then they are a definite factor at night. My neighbor got a black '05 GT in May and had it messed up bad only a week after purchase due to a deer hit, and that was down here in Montgomery County, population 1 million. Watch for the eye glint, is what I do, and try to keep the speed down.

My biggest concern with Dixi this winter will not be snow but salt...they lay it on the roads thick and heavy down here. I anticipate a lot of stops at the car wash...

Anyways, glad to have you on board as a future Mountaineer! It is indeed "almost heaven"...

:winks We'd be in a drought with just 20in for the season...it often comes down in 20 in dumps. LOL. Our average is between 60 and 70 in for the season. My first year up here (1991) saw a Halloween blizzard with 34 in overnight and we didn't see the grass again till April. Never really appreciated the rites of Spring till I moved to Mn.


I drive on gravel at least 6 miles/day to get to my home and I've been playing with the TCS on some of the corners and steep hills. Car is pretty neutral and often climbs out of our driveway to the road better with TCS off. I'm thinking I'll put it back on when I get to the highway but in the sticks it might be best to have some more torque available...should be interesting...Farmer's Almanac is calling for moderate temps here but greater than average snow. Keeping fingers crossed already.

Been to WV twice to run the Gauley River in the Fall. Beautiful country and the people have all been very friendly. With only 20 in snow you've got a pretty good deal there.