How Much Ground Clearance Do You Need?

[MC2]

MC2 - Is it a hatch or a Sedan?

Also do you think the WRX (not STI) would be too low? I've always wanted one but at 4.9 inches of Ground Clearance I'm worried that might be too low for those crazy potholed ski resort parking lots.

Sedan. I know skiers who drive WRX's. If you've always wanted one, get one. You'll get to the mountains when you need to.

 

[BRLKED]

I have a Mazda 3 hatch-back, front wheel drive, 35+ mpg. the key to winter driving in snow country Snow Tires! The only time I have had trouble is when I had to drive in 8+ inches, the front wheels kept loosing traction because the under-carriage pan made the car float. I don't have a box , everything goes in the back [seat down] sometimes 7 pairs of skis plus needed duffels and packs, plenty of room as long as you only need to transport yourself. I live in the DACKs and I do have a Tacoma as back-up. I also have a friend who drives a WRX full time but he doesn't live up here but spends a lot of time at his camp in North River.

 

[Tjf1967]

I drive a all wheel drive sedan. Put 30k miles per year driving around the park. You will never see more than 6 inches on most of the roads. Get 30 mpg so why not get awd. Once you are moving it's true you don't need awd. It does handle better and it's nice never getting stuck getting moving. Put a set of snows on it and you can plow through pretty deep stuff.

 

[Ethan Snow]

How far is that rear diff off the ground?

I think that's the 9.1" The rear diff will always be pretty low on a truck. But it's a solid axle, so it will always be the same distance from the bottom of the tires. They're not usually a problem.

 

[Campgottagopee]

You can have both.

Go drive the Subaru Forester and Crosstrek. Both of these cars are easy in and out, and with 8.7" provide nearly the same amount of ground clearance as the full-size SUV and PU markets do.

And yes, the WRX would be fine as it has close to 5" of ground clearance.

 

[Brownski]

I drove an X5 for two years. It’s not really the way I roll normally (won a sales contest) but I can tell you for sure you will enjoy driving it. Absolutely solid in the snow, fast as hell of course and nothing broke or malfunctioned in the 30k I had it for. I’m an American mini-van/pickup guy so getting used to the German-performance-driving-feel of a BMW took a little while but after the break-in period I loved it

 

[D.B. Cooper]

I have a Volvo V60 T5 AWD and am in the ADK every weekend. I've never had a problem with ground clearance. With the snow tires, you can climb anything with ease. It's got 30 mpg and lots of space. The Volvo roof rack is Thule white-labelled gear and actually cheaper than buying full-on Thule.

17 gallon gas tank, too. That is handy.

The heated windshield is good - turn the car/windshield on and after a few minutes any ice comes off like a knife through warm butter. I was expecting a bit more when driving through ice storms.....you don't have to stop as often to clear off the wipers, but you do have to do it from time to time.

I saw enough accidents first hand to not want to f-around.

 

[Benny Profane]

The OP addresses my big complaint about modern SUVs, which is roof height. My first Outback in 93 was a station wagon with clearance, which was fine. "Normal" height roofline. Now there's a race to bloat these things up and up, for no other good reason than to make the car seem bigger on the outside and get to some magical number for interior volume that makes the sales people happy. I could fairly easily get into my Thule box on top of my '01 Forester, and also get into most parking garages, which is important, but, I need a small stepladder (I'm 6 ft.) with the same combo on my '10 Forester, and the latest Foresters have an even higher roofline, about 3-4 inches higher. The Outback is the same these days.

I'm looking at the Volkwagen AWD wagon, which is, ahem, a car with clearance. There is the Audi AllRoad, but, I'm not that well off. Love to own that little AWD S Audi wagon, must be a scream to drive, but, again, daddy didn't leave me much. Any other cars with AWD and clearance out there?

As far as clearence, of course you need some for skiing. Not all the time, but, when you do, you will thank yourself for buying that car. As mentioned, crappy dirt roads in mud season are much easier, and safer. Arriving at an unplowed road at night with your house at the end is another time you need it. Hell, one time I decided to drive to Killington during an Xmas eve storm, and I guess the plow drivers were all off and back home with families, because the Northway had close to a foot of snow on it as I plowed through. Thank you, clearence.

Don't get me going about everyone driving around in thos stupid pickup trucks. Always have to laugh when you see them off to the sides of roads in bad storms. Those and Jeeps. Dumb.

 

[Campgottagopee]

Whatev --- let me see you toss a dead deer in your, ahem, car with clearance ----- or firewood ---- or pellets ---- or dirt ---- or sand ---- or hay ---- or ladders ---- or staging ----- or blocks ---- or bricks --- or lumber

 

[Campgottagopee]

Different AWD Systems are not alike