Just about bought one today...
Wondering if some Gen1 drivers could shed some light on
how these puppies do in the snow? We got dumped on this past
year and I was initially looking at smaller SUVs before falling in
love with the boxes.
Thanx.

 

The Gen1 is so different that I don't think any comparisons would be valid. There are essentially no shared components between the two cars.

Has it snowed anywhere that xB2's have been sold yet? Doubt it.

If I had to guess, my guess would be that the xB2 would perform pretty much the same as any other front wheel drive car of similar size and weight with the same type of tires.

r

 

The Gen1 Didn't do bad at all in the snow. The traction and stability features made it seem like a larger car then it was, i.e. it didn't slide nearly as much as my friend's honda.

 

Put four snow tires on it and it will be quite good. I have used for 3 winters- no problem w/4 coopers on it. The stock tires are pretty slick in the snow.

 

ROFL - this topic comes up every few months on the Gen 1 board. Most of us respond with "THEY'RE FINE, NOW LET ME SHOW YOU A LITTLE TRICK I LIKE TO CALL 'SEARCH'."

The general consensus for the Gen 1's was: great. If you have any experience off-roading, turn off the traction control, and get ready to ignore the beeping of the VSC, but the smart braking was a huge help. My box saved my life the first year I had it.

As for the new ones....impossible to say. Totally different powerplant and weight dynamics. Maybe you guys should head over to the PT Cruiser forum and see how they're doing. ;)

BTW, as a former SUV driver for three years in Chicago, they SUCK in the snow. Very easy to get going, damn-near-impossible to stop. Unless you like having to decide whether to rear-end a minivan or put your car into a ditch at 50 MPH, you're much better off with a real car. My xB is infinitely superior to my 4WD Blazer.

 

Thanks ZO after being snowed in for 5 days straight with our Honda, Taurus (rear-ended and totaled last week), and old Chevy tuck last winter I was looking into the SUV thing as a result and not happy with gas mileage.

 

That is definitely my plan.
I had Bridgestone REVO 1's for my Mazda3 the past two winters. I loved driving away from stop lights leaving SUV's behind on icy packed snow.
It also stopped much better. Which can actually be a little scary when some idiot behind you in his 4x4 just got up to 50 (in a 35) with no hope of stopping in less than 500 feet.

 

you mean, any car with traction control and VSC of the the same size and weight with the same type of tires.

The comment I always remember: "Like a jack rabbit with snow shoes"

 

I got some studded snow tires on all 4 wheels and a couple of sand bags in the rear trunk area. It doesn't slide and sticks to the ground awesome!

 

No one has complained about the operation of the xB1 in snow. The VSC has got to be a plus. Get some rims for the summer and put some snow tires on the stock.