Sheep

Guys, I will be moving to the east coast from the west coast later this summer, and will likely need to get a vehicle with AWD/4WD because I can only take care of 1 vehicle. I planned a budget of $30k give or take for this move and here is what I am thinking:

1, trade the C63 for a GT-R
2, buy or lease a new one like an Imperza or Evo X
4, lease a GLK 4matic or Ford Edge
3, keep the C63 and buy a used beater...

Also, I will have to consider whether to sale the car first then buy one, or move the car first then trade. Please let me know what all you guys think. Thanks.

Sheep

ATL_MB

Why do you need AWD? The primary benefit of AWD is ground clearance, not traction. Proper winter tires (not all season) on a RWD car will provide most of the forward traction that all season tires on a AWD car will, while vastly out-performing the AWD car in stopping and cornering.

So unless you are in an area that will not get plowed and you need the ground clearance, I would suggest keeping the C63 and buy a beater for when it is nasty and you don't want to take the AMG out.

jvanbrecht

You will be fine, keep your current car and get winter tires, or a beater. Also depending on where you are moving to on the east coast, there is the option of public transport on crappy weather days.

That said, I would not diminish the abilities of a 4 wheel or all wheel drive vehicle, while yes, proper tires help, so does awd or 4wd, in the event you lose traction with one of the wheels, you still have 3 that will have traction, or even 2 (if you lose all traction in the rear). Also, weight the car down, get a couple of bags of sand or rocks (or salt which can help when you do get stuck).

Sheep

I might have been overly worry about winter driving. I was thinking about keeping my C63 and get tires for winter, however, since I can only keep 1 vehicle, I don't want to end up crashing my car. So here is the next question: what's the worst winter weather you have driven with your C63? I know this topic has been done to death here, but I still like some of your first hand experiences if you may.

Sheep
p.s. I know some of you here also has a GT-R, so care to share some of your insight on winter driving?

JeffDL

I've driven through horrific winter weather this past winter, in the Boston area this was the worst in years. Quality snows make all the difference.

edit. I'd trade for a new GTR.

Muskoka_AMG

Good snow tires will cut it. The car doesn't feel overly confident on snow at 100+ km/h, and regardless of tires it will struggle on snowy hills. Realistically, it can get through snow and slush easily, as long as you live in a semi-metro area where the streets are cleaned semi-consistently. If you have to deal with 10cm's + of snow on the ground on a constant basis, go get something else.

For the record, I live in Montreal, and I only got stuck on one day, because I was a moron and took the car up a hill, into a sunken parking lot which wasn't cleared, in a major snowstorm.

Sheep

Were your snow tire studded? And will chains damage the wheels? Thanks.

Sheep

Muskoka_AMG

Michelin Pilot Alpin's no studs. Studs only help on ice, and because we can get dry roads, I didn't put them on (studs are terrible on dry roads). I can't see a scenario where chains would not scratch the wheels, but I've also never used them.

dodger63

Honestly, roads are bad for what 5 hrs after the snow storm, there's 9 months out of the year were there's no snow. I'd keep the c63 and take a taxi the 5 days out of the year you need to

BFNYM156

gtr

_AMG_

Get the GT-R.

derspi

Getting a GTR that has little to no ground clearance makes no sense at all if you're worried about driving in the snow. You've also got to factor in how much of a depreciation hit you're gonna take in swapping for a more expensive car.

The only option that really makes sense is either spend a bit of cash for snow tires & wheels for the C63 or get a beater.

CZ55

I'm in the same position with sheep, thinking of getting a GTR. Can someone who has a GTR and owned a C63 put some input. Is the transmission really clunky in traffic?

Hans Delbruck

Well I was gonna say get the GTR because I'm sure it would put a smile on your face but there is that ground clearance thing mentioned above.

I say keep your C63 (paid for is a good thing) and pick up a "beater" like an old Toyota 4runner. You will love having something to drive anywhere and not sacrifice the C63 to harsh conditions, valets or bad neighborhoods. Plus every time you drive the C63 you will realize how special it is. Make your move, get settled and see what you think...

C63newdude

^^OK

Sheep

Thank you guys for all of your inputs! I think as of now I should move my car and get some winter tires for this coming winter, the see how the C63 fair. I seriously hope that I will be fine, but if not, then I will need to sell it to get an AWD... And I hate going backwards and down grade myself, but I can't help it since I can most likely only be able to keep 1 vehicle because I will be renting.

Sheep