Should I do it?

You can do some searches on the site for winter driving. There are many Prius owners in the US and Canada in the snow zones. The only significant issue I recall is when the snow gets over 6" on the road because of the low ground clearance. This winter will be my first experience with the Prius, but in the past I haven't had problems with FWD cars in the snow. I do like AWD in the rain so getting used to the Prius may take a bit.

My other car: Audi A4 3.0 quattro <g>

 

Well I guess I am your man to answer this. I currently live in Alaska and I have been here my entire life. I drive a lot in the winter and decided to switch from a dodge caravan to a prius. You, like most people assume the prius can't handle it... trust me it can! I drove through a 14" snow dump we got one night. Never had a problem with traction. I just bought the vehicle in November 2008 though. I drove it without studs all winter too. Then to add to this... My sister drives a RS4 and I like the prius handling better than it. I have spent plenty of time driving both to give you an honest answer. I personally would get a prius IMHO.

 

I've had an Audi A4 and that car with Blizzaks was virtually unstoppable in snow. Only thing that hindered it was very, very deep snow. As long as the road is plowed and you have good snow tires on the Prius then you'll be fine. I would NOT drive will all seasons in the winter in the snowbelt because you're just asking to get stuck. The issue isn't with the Prius but with its over protective traction control system. If you are going uphill and have marginal tires, you're not going to make it. If you have snows, then more than likely you'll have no problem. The stability control (if so equipped) will also be a plus too. If I'm not mistaken aren't the new 2010's all contented with stability? I may be wrong.

 

I own a 2010 Prius, so it will be interesting to see how it does this year when the snow comes.

While I've not yet driven a Prius in snow, I rented a previous model Prius (likely a 2008) when I was on vacation in San Diego last summer, and I felt the traction control kick in and shut down power to the car for about a second or two when I hit a wet piece of road while turning a corner. I can imagine what it would do if this happened in snow; I suspect that it would instantly get stuck.

That said, I haven't noticed this kind of behavior at all yet in the 2010. In fact, I squeaked the tires yesterday while accelerating and there was no loss of power at all -- the car just went.

So I'm hoping that I won't experience any unusual problems this winter with the all-season tires ( although that remains to be seen). I figure if worst comes to worst, then I'll just add a pair of snow tires and then all will be well.

I've never driven an Audi RS4, so I can't compare it to a 2010 Prius. But driving a Prius in stop and go city traffic is like driving no other car. It's peaceful and relaxing because the gasoline engine is off. There's no automatic transmission cycling up and down repeatedly as you inch forward. Also, you don't have the clatter of the air conditioning and the engine cooling fans cycling on and off with their vibration and load passed back to an idling engine.

I now view all other cars as antiques; I look at them the same way I look at a 33 RPM vinyl record -- good in its day, but that day has passed.

 

14 mpg is pretty bad. I have a Ford Explorer with Auto 4wd and I probably get 15 mpg overall with it. I average about 48 mpg with the Prius.

 

Yes! I like the prius handling more! She has an automatic. Get some good Hakka 5's if you have hills to go up. Other than that it won't slide easily and if you take it easy the Traction Control won't do much. Most of the people on here probably just expect it will accelerate the same it does when the pavement is dry as when its icy/wet and it doesn't.

 

You want honesty? Okay. I'm going to say don't buy a Prius. Why? Because if your happy with 14 mpg, then you aren't really buying a Prius because you want the primary benefit which is great gas mileage and low emissions. At less than 16000 miles a year, if your primary reason is just so on those rare occasions you do go on a long trip you might not have to stop as much or worry about fuel? That's not reason enough. If you haven't even purchased yet and you are already worrying about snow and rain handling vs. what you have now, which you proclaim handles well in all weather, again I'd say keep what you have. Also a 2007 with less than 16000 miles per year? That's almost new.

From what I have read and hear, with good tires and proper handling The Prius can do alright in troublesome weather, but a 4 wheel drive it is not. That's not a primary strength of the Prius.

If that is an expectation, then the first time you slip out, or lose traction in The Prius you are going to be thinking you made a mistake.

From the tone and presentation of your original post, I'm going to recommend passing. I think you need more reason to want a Prius than just the fact that it might be less troublesome as far as fueling up for long trips.

 

How can you afford to take the depreciation hit on a 2007 RS4? Audis depreciate like crazy (sucks because I think they are great cars) and going from the top of the line a4 to a Prius is a quite a change. Sure the Prius comes with a lot of ammenities and its an awesome value (I just bought a 2010) but they are very different cars. Such as: AWD vs FWD, 400+hp vs 134hp, sport suspension vs stock suspension, 6 speed transmission versus CVT.

My first impression from reading your posts is that you will get bored with the Prius. If your only reason is to save gas, think of the financial hit you'll take on selling your Audi as gas money. As well as drive the car easier and save on gas that way too. If you do get a Prius, I would recommend getting the most bells and whistles to keep you entertained because the newness will wear out like its wearing off on your RS4.

 

I agree, keep the RS4 since you barely drive it. Especially if you really feel you need AWD/4WD for rain/snow (I'm happy with FF). My Prius handles fine in rain and snow, but then I know not to over-drive it (this is coming from someone with an Evo+Motons). At 16k a year, it's just not worth it for you and you'll just end up with a different set of complaints.

 

Welcome to Prius.... Congrats

 

The fun in driving does not wear off, not at least for me after 3+ years.

I become part of the car and feel connected to HSD.

 

Welcome to a whole new world of driving!

 

DITTO!!!! Well except I have a 4Runner........

 

16k miles a year is "barely" driving a car? I use my car almost every day... and I drive well below 10k per year. Probably 6k-7k?

That must mean I produce even less emissions than the rest of you.