Advertising is based on the idea that it is necessary to persuade people they need to buy things that they’d otherwise probably not buy. Implicit in that is the probability they don’t actually need what’s being advertised – because if they did need it, it would not be necessary to persuade them that they do. 
They’d just buy it.
Food, for instance. It isn’t necessary to persuade people they ought to eat. Hamburger is rarely advertised. Sales on hamburger are – but that’s not quite the same thing. People are wanting to buy hamburger, regardless. Maybe they’ll buy more if it’s on sale. But they’ll buy hamburger, regardless.
As far as cars, consider that it is not necessary to advertise heat – or AC. Most people want heat and AC – because it is generally considered unpleasant to freeze in the winter and to sweat in the summer. This is why all cars have heat and AC.
How about all-wheel-drive?
A majority – more than two-thirds – of all new vehicles either come standard with AWD or offer it as an option. Not all that long ago, almost no cars even offered AWD. It was a feature sold chiefly by Subaru and Audi. Now it is sold by essentially every car company.
This reflects the tremendous success selling people on AWD.
But do they actually need AWD? Or is it that advertising has persuaded them they’ve got to have AWD?
AWD is not like heat or AC in that if you haven’t got AWD, you’re probably not going to miss it – unless you have to drive on snow-slicked roads as a regular thing. If you live in California or Arizona or another state where winter weather is light – if there’s any winter weather at all – then your need for AWD is probably on par with your need for SCUBA gear (assuming you’re not a diver). It is nice to have the SCUBA gear, perhaps. But it’s kind of silly to have it if you don’t really need it.
On dry – and even wet – roads, AWD is about as useful as SCUBA gear that you keep in the closet. There is a hypothetical traction advantage, but it is only an actual advantage if you’re driving fast enough for the tires to break traction, which rarely happens if you’re not driving very fast. Especially on dry roads. The threshold is lower on wet roads, but it’s still high enough that you generally need to be driving faster than you probably should be driving when the roads are wet for the car to begin to slide due to loss of grip. AWD can greatly increase cornering grip and stability during high-speed driving but how many people engage in high-speed driving? In particular, high speed cornering? If you drive at around the speed limit, you need AWD on a dry (or wet) road like a you need SCUBA gear to go for a swim in the bathtub.
So why pay extra for it? AWD adds to the price of a vehicle and it adds to the cost of insuring the vehicle (repair/replacement cost) as well as the cost of maintaining the vehicle. There is also often a fuel economy penalty on top of that.
Another oversold feature is “rims” – what wheels used to be called, before people got sold on ghetto rap terminology (and appearance). Wheels used to perform the necessary function of serving as the means by which the car rolled. Now we have “rims” that increase rolling resistance as well as cost, because a 19 or 20 inch “rim” is more expensive to buy and replace than a 15 or 16 inch wheel. Most people do not know – or remember – that a 15 or 16 inch wheel used to be plenty big enough for performance cars, such as Camaros and even Corvettes. Then it got trendy to fit “rims” to family cars such that even boring little crossovers now typically come with 17 or 18 inch “rims.” Most new SUVs and trucks have at least 18 inch “rims” standard and some go up to 22 inch (and even taller) “rims.”
These do not meaningfully improve traction, handling or braking performance. But they do add meaningfully to cost – including fuel costs, via increased rolling resistance and weight.
Gnomesayin’?
Perhaps the most oversold new car feature is what’s sold to people as “driver assistance technology” – which is usually styled “advanced,” to sell it. The implication being that drivers need to be “assisted” and that it is “advanced” to be “assisted.” This is perhaps true, if they do need assistance to drive. But then the question arises: Maybe those who cannot drive without “assistance” ought to learn how to drive? 
It was only about a decade ago that it was an expected competence to keep the vehicle in its lane. Then smartphone usage became ubiquitous – along with smartphones embedded in the dashboard (i.e., LCD touchscreen interfaces) and a consequence was that many drivers could no longer keep their vehicle from wandering out of its lane. Or they failed to notice the car ahead of them braking. Or a kid running into the street. Lane Keep Assistance and Emergency Braking Assistance were sold as the solution.
Maybe a better solution would be paying attention to your driving?
. . .
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“All Season” tires are now the norm. Snow tires seem to be in the aisle along side the Wooly Mammoth food. Are they no longer available? Chains. What about chains? My fav was the studded snow tires I had on my ’69 Bug…on all four corners. I loved seeing the sparks come off the brick streets of Akron.
Or, put a few concrete blocks or sand bags in the trunk of the Catalina and you can go where no man has gone before. Be sure to bring a folding shovel, just in case.
I guess no one knows how to change tires these days. (Ooops, I forgot that you need the TPMS on all the Rhee-ims or the computer will go nuts.)
This demand for AWD is indicative of the feminization of our society that puts removing any and all risk, however theoretical, above all else.
MiBC,
Worth noting, AWD implementations are different than 4 wheel drive. Granted that it has been decades but when I lived in Sweden in 1998, I had to drive my longterm rental car, a Volvo econobox, in to have the tires changed out from studded tires to normal tires…
I actually would note that the weight in the trunk would not help with frontwheel drive cars, which IME suck in snowy/icy conditions anyway. The TPMS thing really is an irritant….people who are so dimly aware of their surroundings that they cannot realize when tires need attention should probably not operate vehicles…the standards used to be higher.
Finally, to address your last paragraph, I’d assert not only the feminization but the lesbianation in terms of stupid retards expecting privilege that has not been earned.
Any vehicle with AWD can have a 30% drop in fuel economy compared to its non-AWD counterpart. And suppose a tire is damaged beyond repair, you have to change all four tires because they have to have identical tread levels or that messes up the AWD system.
Morning, Cabal!
Hat tip for mentioning the tire wear/replacement issue. I forgot that. Thank you for reminding me – and others!
I generally push my AWD very hard, but that’s just me. Like Eric and some other person enjoys feathering the pedal, I enjoy the takeoff.
But what makes you think it’s advertising that’s doing it. Or really anything remotely close. Most advertising has nothing to do with creating a demand where one did not exist. It is almost all about convincing the marginal buyer to choose your brand over someone else’s. Now admittedly, I have not seen many ads lately, but I can think of none in my life selling AWD, any make. It’s always trying to sell one particular brand.
I think it’s probably a circular reference thing. Dealers would prefer to sell the more expensive model, so that’s what’s on the lot. Since it’s what they buy, that’s what the mfgs produce. If you want to special order your vehicle, put down the deposit and wait, they will take your money. But they will try to convince you to take one off the lot.
Hi Steve,
Many people seem to think they just have to have AWD. I say this because I get a lot of queries from people asking me about cars. Many feel that not having AWD means they risk being unable to deal with conditions other than dry and sunny. The nervousness about driving a FWD (or RWD) vehicle bees what I am trying to get at. It’s weird – to me – since I grew up at a time during which prolly 98 percent of the cars on the road were RWD and AWD was a curiosity. People seemed more intrepid back then than now. I grant my memories may be filtered through my rose colored glasses!
I remember the days, Eric, of learning how to drive with a rear-wheel drive, standard transmission vehicle. No A/C, roll-up windows, just the basics. But, I learned how to navigate that rear-wheel drive (especially during the Winter months) and never had an accident. Fast-forward to the front-wheel drive vehicles, and that was also a trip to learn, but learned how to handle the fish tailing in the Winter. I really do like AWD for the Winter months. Do I need it? No. But, I do need my coffee in the morning, and will fight that one to the death (ha ha).
Roger that, Shadow!
Especially this: “I do need my coffee in the morning, and will fight that one to the death (ha ha).”
On my third cup so far!
>If you live in California or Arizona or another state where winter weather is light
Minor correction, Eric. Should read:
“If you live in California [flatlands] or Arizona or another [region] where winter weather is light”
California mountain dwellers (even Southern California mountain dwellers) nearly all own at leas ton vehicle with either A) 4WD, B) Front wheel drive, or C) All wheel drive. Subaru and 4WD Chevy pickups are popular, as well as other makes/models.
The wilds of Coconino County, AZ in winter, or even summer, present a similar challenge.
Roger that, Adi!
We’re getting ready for the snowpocalypse here this weekend!
I wonder if you are getting the cold and snow we had last week, Eric? We just finished a -50 below spell, so when it warmed up to around -10 below at the beginning of the week, it truly felt like Spring. And never mind the “Spring” season does not exist in these parts. It certainly was not the coldest temperatures I have ever been in, but cold enough, thank you! I will admit, with all the saaaafety crap in vehicles and “extras”, one that is VERY nice (other than auto start) are the heated seats! But also do not forget the hot chocolate when you arrive home. A shot of peppermint schnapps in the mug warms one up nicely!
Hi Shadow!
They say – for what it’s worth – that we’re going to get an ice storm and some snow, not necessarily in that order. The main dread is the power going out, which it probably will – lotsa trees in my area. That’s no big deal; I have a generator and plenty of firewood! I wish I had the bellhousing and T10, though, so that if I’m stuck home for a few days I can play in the garage instead of peck the keyboard all day (and night)!
Hi Eric,
The level of fear porn over this storm just beggars the imagination….we have become a nation of wimps afraid of natural events….everybody is rushing out and clearing the stores of food and generators like this type of event has never occurred before. This is so reminiscent of the Covid freakout for me…..my real fear is that the dinosaur T-Rump will support Israel in using nuclear weapons against Iran……now that would be a disaster from which none of us would recover.
Agreed; newspeople ridiculously hype every inclement weather condition or event — whether hot, cold, dry, wet, or windy. Forty years ago, people here in my corner of the South would rush out and clear the shelves of the last crumb of bread and the last drop of milk if a hard frost threatened. But I don’t see that much anymore.
That said, a year and a half ago the grandfather of all inland hurricanes tore through here and knocked out electrical power for 11 days at my house, and up to three weeks in other parts of the South Carolina Upcountry. The road I live on — a virtual dead end for years now because the old bridge is out — was impassable for several days until locals could clear the downed trees. (I’m not complaining; Western North Carolina suffered exceedingly worse, with utter destruction of property and much loss of life.)
Being prepared for a storm — having gas in the vehicles, some propane to cook with, a generator and fuel, and some food in the pantry — isn’t just for wimps who are afraid of a storm.
As I was typing this, the power company sent me a text message saying, “Freezing rain and ice will cause power outages.”
In any case, if Trump or his Israeli owners start a nuclear war or three, then the prepped food, fuel, and generator might come in handy for that, too!
Morning, Giuseppe!
Yup. The pussification is comical. Would be, if it weren’t so consequential. I foresee weather lockdowns coming. It’s not safe to leave home! The governoress has decreed all must stay home – for saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaafety!
Good grief, Eric, do not give TPTB any ideas! Weather lock-downs? What is the world coming to? To suggest that Winter might just include ice, snow, wind, and cold temperatures is akin to be racist or something.
In the Sierras, another reason for AWD/4WD is it gets you through the annoying CHP chain controls without having to put on chains. It’s really, really annoying to deal with those things, but with proper tires and AWD, they wave you by.
I bought a used Cayenne as a road trip car, and replaced its OEM 22″ wheels with 19″ (the smallest that’ll clear the brakes), and put some Blizzaks on those wheels. Hilariously, at those wheel sizes, an alloy wheel is cheaper than a tire, but anyhow, this thing, with the center differential locked, is unstoppable in snow. Wouldn’t have it any other way!
To Eric’s point about big wheels – the ride and fuel economy in the Cayenne is noticeably better on the 19″ wheels. My 340 mile roundtrip to my sierras cabin averages about 21 mpg on the huge wheels, and close to 23mpg on the 19″ snow tires.
One big reason to opt for the AWD (at least for the majority of the lower-case car company crossovers) is to avoid the CVT and have a transmission. But other than that I agree it’s not needed.
Hi Rob,
Yup. I dislike AWD because it numbs the driving experience, except at very high speeds – which are rarely reached on the street. I like a little wheelslip. Most people who like to drive do. It is part of the fun. We’re not racing for money, where a tenth or two makes the difference between winning and losing. A WRX will absolutely launch harder than my TA, because I have to modulate the throttle and deal with the wheelspin. But – god-damn! – that’s the fun part.
But I know, I’m a weirdo.
I built a 5 speed Legacy wagon as a Baja racer. The AWD was an incredible, unfair advantage on a muddy, bumpy, random Baja race track. And it was great fun to drift on gravel farm roads, and always felt far more in control than RWD or FWD cars.
Having said that, as a daily driver, 363 days of the year, it’s just a 5mpg penalty and a bunch more moving parts to maintain.
And the one thing there is a market for is a radio that does everything. I briefly had a 2008 Acura TL and the radio did CDs, cassettes, and had an aux jack for any mp3 or whatever. I wish they would make a radio like that with bluetooth. Sometimes I’m in a nostalgic mood and want to hear Dokken or Rush in cassette quality, or want the higher sound quality of a factory CD.
Hi Anchar,
Yup! I really liked that – for a time – factory stereos could easily be replaced with much better aftermarket ones, because it was literally plug and play. But many new/newer cars have audio systems that are enmeshed with the LCD screen and other systems that make removing and replacing just the audio system a difficult, expensive thing to do – if it’s even doable.
Or hang an 8 track player or a CB radio off the bottom of the dash, since it was steel not plastic and no knee bag claptrap either.
Hi Eric,
Last summer, I went for the stereo upgrade on my ’22 WRX. Forget it. With the “premium” sound (Harmen Karden), the sound is just a bit shallow for my taste. Incredibly difficult to upgrade. There is no replacing the factory speakers and amp as it is all part of the infotainment device center. I was able to install a powered sub which is nice but that is as far as you can go.
I have a 2007 WRX. When the factory stereo crapped out on me, I did not really want to fork over $800 or so for a replacement. So, I went to a local Auto Trim store, and bought a Pioneer brand, and yes, it has the CD player and radio. NO touch screen, no satellite radio capabilities, just the basics. It plays very nice, and I had great sound with that thing, and did not have to lose an arm or leg for it. However, fast-forward 14 years later, and I am not sure how the newer WRX’s are. My ’07 was fun as hell to drive. 😀
The idea of what you -need- keeps coming up in articles and comments here. If I didn’t know better I’d be reminded of a saying I’ve heard.
“From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.”
If someone wants AWD they should get AWD. We used to live in a land where individuals were free to do whatever you wanted. Sure, it wouldn’t necessarily insulate you from judgey know-it-alls but then everything is a trade off.
Is it worth carrying around the weight and complexity if you only need it once a year? Probably not. But then again not having to store a second set of tires and swap them twice a year is worth something. Or hitting a freak snowstorm in July, which happens here in Windy Wyoming. I drove a 2WD truck, it was my first. I made due with chains in the winter. My second truck was 4WD and that was better. Still needed chains sometimes, though I almost never got stuck in mud or snow again unless it was intentional. It did require a bit more maintenance, an extra gear lube change annually. Didn’t change the wheel bearing maintenance interval. I had hubs to rebuild. All-in-all I found it worth it and haven’t owned a 2WD truck since. The difference in MPG is not zero either, no doubt. I think a lot of people over the years found it to be true. Having more traction rather than less is rarely preferred.
The saying goes “It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.” Or something like that.
Why do they all have it now? That’s a social question as much as actually need. We’re herd animals. We want what we don’t have. Cars didn’t originally have heat or A/C until some luxury ones did. The rest of us made do. It became a selling point, a differentiator. That’s marketing 101. Cars didn’t have radios until they did and then they became entertainment centers.
The trickle down of luxury is the beauty of capitalism in the purest form. Do you *need* a machine that washes your clothes or dishes? Nope. What about the one that makes your coffee? Was it better to do your copy on a typewriter and lay it up literally with paste and half-tones than doing it using desktop publishing? What do you really *need*?
It’s why 99% of people have a computer that mostly runs a 1% utilization and has more power than the lunar module in a Apollo. You don’t *need* that to play Solitaire and reply to emails. But the manufacturers know if they have 3.2 GHz it’ll sell better than 3.1 GHz.
“I really should go tilt those windmills.” — Miguel de Cervantes
Hi Anon,
Yup! I have a 2WD truck. I’d say 99 percent of the time, it’s all I need. But there’s that every now and then that having 4WD would be handy. Even so, I decided that it was worth more to me to spend less to get the 2WD truck than to spend more to get the 4WD truck and have the additional maintenance/repair costs that come along for the ride. Of course, everyone’s “mileage” varies and – you’re right – it’s a matter of personal choice.
My purpose in writing the article was to express the opinion that while the features mentioned have upsides, my opinion is these upsides have been oversold.
I have a Honda Pilot that is AWD. I would have rather had a FWD model except that the FWD model can only tow about 2000 lbs. Since I have towed 3k plus lbs on a couple of occasions, I opted to get the 4WD model that can tow 4500 lbs. Quite a difference. Otherwise, AWD is oversold and adds a degree of mechanical complexity.
“ On dry – and even wet – roads, AWD is about as useful as SCUBA gear that you keep in the closet. There is a hypothetical traction advantage, but it is only an actual advantage if you’re driving fast enough for the tires to break traction, which rarely happens if you’re not driving very fast.”
Unfucking believable.
This from an expert that supposedly drives all manner of new cars and should have a better grasp of vehicle performance differences.
Here’s an experiment for our self proclaimed car guy:
Take a vehicle like a Ford Edge or a Toyota RAv4. Decent horsepower but nothing crazy.
Put the 2WD version on wet pavement and accelerate hard from a stop.
Now take an AWD version on wet pavement and accelerate hard from a stop.
The AWD will accelerate harder, and with less drama of wheel spin, torque steer, and will be more stable.
Apparently our “car guy” is either unaware of this reality or perhaps has become so geriatric that he no longer accelerates hard from a stop on wet pavement.
Or maybe . . . He’s just selectively leaving out details that are inconvenient to his fairytale storytelling.
You’re full of bullshit. Unless you want to fry your front drivetrain youre not going to mash on the gas from every stoplight. Most people, probably like you, accelerate tepidly from stoplights and cruise at 47 in a 55 mph speed zone. On the freeway, people like you drive 63 thinking you’re doing 70.
Get a life.
Well-said, Swamp!
Of course under maximum-effort acceleration, AWD offers more grip than FWD or RWD. But who’s street racing? If you are, then – sure – get a WRX or something like that. But the average person just going to work? It’s as needed as the SCUBA gear to take a bath.
Nice job blocking the response Mr. Free Speech that is constantly whining about being shadow banned by X.
Nice job of falsely accusing Eric of blocking anybody, unless they just constantly post spam. Why so angry?
Ah – so now you know what is being done in the background IT of this site?
I guess if offering a rebuttal to Eric’s sudden flip flop is Spam – well then I’m a spammer.
It’s funny how when anyone offers a differing opinion or critique of EP, all you sycophants line up to defend his half truths.
Where exactly do you think all of Eric’s critics on this site have gone over the years. You think they just stopped posting? They got tired of being blocked . . . By the same guy that whines constantly about X blocking & shadow banning him.
BS: As far as I know, nobody has a problem with you expressing a differing opinion. The problem with yours is that it’s highly emotional and disrespectful to the author. I actually appreciate differing opinions, but please lighten up a bit. Try this instead: “I disagree. I think you’re overlooking the advantages of AWD because _____________.”
Problem solved.
As far as I know, nobody takes issue with your differing opinion. The problem with your post is that it’s tone is highly emotional and disrespectful to the author. I actually appreciate a differing opinion, but please lighten up a bit. Try this instead: “I disagree. I think you’re overlooking the advantages of AWD because ________________.”
Problem solved.
Bite me “Mister Liberty”
I’ve watched your behavior on this site for years and it looks nothing like what you’ve just proposed for me.
Rules for thee but not for me.
You are as much of a hypocrite as the author bitching about the owner of X while simultaneously trying to use Elon’s platform to promote his own content.
Give be a break. Keep licking the boot.
Mr. Bullcrap –
I have taken issue with Musk’s disingenuous talk of “free speech” when he charges for reach – without which the speech that’s allowed is meaningless. Here there is free speech as I don’t expect much less demand that people pay to express themselves.
Maybe your X comments are getting caught in Elon’s “spam queue” like Arthur’s comments accidentally got caught in yours.
“ Hi Arthur,
Apologies; your comment got caught in the Spam queue; fixed that just now!”
Bullcrap:
You still haven’t answered why you’re so angry and emotional. Do tell.
Hey, my WRX was great for street racing, and would race a guy who had an STI out my way! Ironically, though, it handled well in the Winter, and on ice and snow. Plowed through a two foot of snow dump one early morning, but my saving grace was following an FBAT (F’kin Big Ass Truck), which plowed the way for me. ‘Course you cannot beat the good snow tires and manual transmission, either.
Totally, Shadow!
AWD is a huge advantage in high performance situations. But for most people, who just drive – the traction advantages during WOT acceleration and high speed cornering, etc. are not especially relevant. It’s kind of like having a top speed capability of 160 MPH. Most people have never driven faster than 100, if that.
Well, when I took it out and wound it out, I bought the WRX before Winter so I had to behave. Me and a friend took it way out to BFE that following Summer, and got it up to 130 or so. It cruises nicely at 80 without even realizing it. But yes, I agree that most are not going over 100, and in these parts, on perma frost heaved roads, such high speeds are a good way to get yourself killed, regardless of how great and expert of a driver one is.
BS’r, Ad Hominem attacks are a dead giveaway. The label fits.
How many times do I accelerate on wet pavement from a hard stop? You probably mean full throttle acceleration. My answer would be very rarely. If I want to accelerate under slippery conditions I can modulate the skinny pedal so as to minimize the wheel spin, torque steer, instability. That’s what Eric is talking about when he says “Maybe a better solution would be paying attention to your driving.” Surely AWD would allow you to accelerate without applying such driving skills, but is it worth the cost, loss of MPH and maintenance of an AWD system? I say no.
Subaru is the unofficial state car in WA State and Oregon, but AWD isn’t really necessary west of the Cascades except under extraordinary circumstances.
In my neck of the woods, Roscoe, Subaru owners/drivers are everywhere, as well. However, come Summer time the Subaru’s disappear, and out come the Harley’s and sports cars. We have a joke here about said drivers: Subaru owners only know one speed-SLOW. And year ’round, too! You can always count on a Subie driver not knowing where the gas pedal is.
Good winter tires will make a front wheel drive vehicle go anywhere, without drama. I know because Colorado DOT doesn’t plow very well. Every fall and spring you go through the ritual of swapping tires. Many tire shops will store your off-season treads for a nominal fee. I got tired of going to the shop so I just bought some basic steel rims for the winter and stored tires out in the back yard (covered of course to keep the sun from killing the rubber).
The Cherokee’s 4WD-ish drivetrain is better I suppose, but it doesn’t change physics.
I agree. I’ve had a couple fwd VWs with snow tires on the front. They were unstoppable.
Ditto for a Chrysler minivan, with some Blizzaks or I Pikes underfoot, they stick as well as the 4WD and AWD rigs I pass in the snowy ditches. They just work, even on ice so treacherous nothing else will stay on.
Regarding Rhee-ims, I blame them, and the stark, angular body designs, on toy makers. Kids that grew up on Transformers and Monster Trucks are now designing vehicles…and it shows.
The natural, flowing curves of a C-type Jag or a 246GT Dino are simply not within their grasp. Maybe it has to do with the difficulty in designing artful curves on a computer vs. drawing a straight line.
Great question. What do you actually need, as opposed to being told what you need? I spent over 40 years driving in terrible winter conditions. I got through everything with a 2WD truck with good snow tires and some sandbags in the bed. I haven’t been stuck in decades — only happened a couple times when I was young and broke and had bald summer tires.
I recently got my first 4WD truck, and I admit it’s nice. It makes a difference when I go off-road, which is basically not an option with 2WD. It sure can help in a true blizzard, too, but I got through some of those with 2WD in the past. All in all it’s a luxury 90% of the time and essential maybe 10% or less.
It’s crucial to have good snow tires and to plan what you are doing if you have 2WD. A lot of the people I see with AWD run shitty summer tires and rely on the AWD to get them through, it seems that the added technology just lets them get away with being lazy.
Hi X!
Time – and age – gives perspective. Us GenX (and older) people grew up driving mostly RWD cars; occasionally some FWD imports. But mostly RWD – and mostly without a limited slip axle. We managed. Today, there’s a weird combination of overkill – AWD/traction/stability control/monster tires, etc. – and near-panic when the sky looks like it might snow. If it does, it’s common to see these people crawling in their AWD-equipped vehicles – with the hazard lights on, even.
We just got in and drove. And usually made it!
Spent a lot of time bashing through the snow in RWD cars. If you stopped or even slowed to much, you were dead. Had to maintain the momentum to get through drifts. Still drive that way. Up here in Michigan it’s a survival skill.
Yes. Modern traction control often works against you as it starts to apply the brakes when you begin to spin the drive wheels, which impedes your momentum.
Panic or grift? This Oregon towns street grift sprayed liquid and some pellet salt everywhere due to a recent panic forecast. Not one flurry or even drop of rain later salt everywhere. I saw the same BS in Sparks NV in 21.
I see a lot of the opposite. I see people in AWD cars and think they are invincible in snow until they hit ice and learn otherwise.
Same here, had snow tires and put a couple sandbags in the trunk to get more weight on the rear wheels, plus could use the sand if you did get stuck on an icy patch.
Cat litter works well, too, Mike, in a pinch. Throw a bucket of Tidy Cat litter (or some other brand) in the trunk if you cannot find sand bags.
Sometimes I wonder how I survived rear wheel drive (no traction control either) and bald tires back in the days. ha ha!
Amen.
Tires are what contacts the road.
Mechanical traction capability is meaningless if you have the wrong rubber.
That tiny contact patch of tire to asphalt is ultimately all that matters.
Growing up many people used to put snow tires on their rear wheel drive cars but today they buy AWD equipped cars and usually stick with the all season tires. Does it work? Perhaps but I’ve driven by plenty of all wheel drive cars with only snow tires on my 2WD car and didn’t have a problem. Having some skill and knowing your limitations can beat AWD and thinking you’re invincible.
As for spending money you don’t have, one problem seems to be as the dollar drops in value and prices keep rising you ask yourself “Why am I holding onto cash when I can buy what I’ll need in the future at a lower price today”. Hard to argue with that argument as lots of people who didn’t buy silver and gold a decade ago are even less likely to buy them today.
I suspect that we’re fooked but that might be just me.
This kid is another genius you all should listen to:
Save your money (The 18-year housing cycle is about to flip)
Reventure Consulting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bc78p8OrhRk
I have listened to this guy for 5 years predicting a housing correction of any significance. I don’t think it’s going to happen. Prices will stay where they are. The dollar will continue to devalue. Of course, anyone less than 5 million will be the only people able to withstand the current crackup boom.
I agree, Swamp –
I see no signs, at any rate, of a housing “correction.” A “correction,” if it occurs, would have to be in the vicinity of 40 percent to get us back to where we were – when a modest single family house could be purchased for less than $300k in areas where a house of that type now lists for $500-$600k.