- Joined
- Mar 12, 2006
- Messages
- 2,608
- Car
- Mini Cooper S, BMW M140i
Greetings, Citizens.
The snow has finally arrived in force chez Gaz. The SLK has remained in the garage, but I've been out in the Ypsilon and the driving conditions are pretty vile, TBH.
Now, one of the best snow cars I ever had was my old (1980s) Fiat Panda. Much better than the (4WD) Impreza I had at the time, in fact. The Impreza's problem was that as soon as it hit boost it would light up all 4 wheels and head off in a random direction - a bit alarming. The Panda, on the other hand, with its skinny tyres, almost complete absence of power and 650Kg kerb weight was brilliant - it skipped over the top of the snow.
Stuff like traction control was a thing of the future in the Panda. Like ABS, airbags, electric windows and indeed that modern thing called a "radio". Oh well, less to go wrong. However, the Ypsilon is loaded with toys, more so in fact the Merc (the Ypsilon will parallel park itself, if needed). One of said toys is traction control, and it's been getting right up my nose today. In fact I switched it off earlier because actually, Mr. FCA, I think I know how to drive in the snow. I know the car may slide, and I know how to catch it if it does. Quite why the Ypsilon, with its 900cc engine, needs traction control in the first place is questionable, but if it really does does it need to be so dim-witted? Bah.
So is it just me, or do you prefer to drive by the seat of the pants when the going gets tough?
Cheers,
Gaz
The snow has finally arrived in force chez Gaz. The SLK has remained in the garage, but I've been out in the Ypsilon and the driving conditions are pretty vile, TBH.
Now, one of the best snow cars I ever had was my old (1980s) Fiat Panda. Much better than the (4WD) Impreza I had at the time, in fact. The Impreza's problem was that as soon as it hit boost it would light up all 4 wheels and head off in a random direction - a bit alarming. The Panda, on the other hand, with its skinny tyres, almost complete absence of power and 650Kg kerb weight was brilliant - it skipped over the top of the snow.
Stuff like traction control was a thing of the future in the Panda. Like ABS, airbags, electric windows and indeed that modern thing called a "radio". Oh well, less to go wrong. However, the Ypsilon is loaded with toys, more so in fact the Merc (the Ypsilon will parallel park itself, if needed). One of said toys is traction control, and it's been getting right up my nose today. In fact I switched it off earlier because actually, Mr. FCA, I think I know how to drive in the snow. I know the car may slide, and I know how to catch it if it does. Quite why the Ypsilon, with its 900cc engine, needs traction control in the first place is questionable, but if it really does does it need to be so dim-witted? Bah.
So is it just me, or do you prefer to drive by the seat of the pants when the going gets tough?
Cheers,
Gaz