I was just thinking about the WRC Countryman as being the perfect all around car. Fast, sharp looking, good handling and fun on (or off) twisty roads, both summer and winter. No more having to park them away when the snow falls. If they come out with a street version, I would really give it a lot of consideration. It would be more practical then the GP was. OK, Crashton, rain on my parade. :cornut: Jim
Parade? Sorry no rain, just lots of ice for ya Jim! As long as your service crew bolts on the right tires for the conditions your dream SUV will do quite well. Although with proper tires a MINI does extremely well. I'd suggest a Forester XT as a fun trucklet for you.
I really don't think the Forester is nearly as cool at the WRC car. I like the 4X4 part for winter driving, so I hope they do make it available. I think I'll nick-name you "Grumpy". Jim
My buddy Don says his All4 is virtually unstopppable in heavy snow, and he's constantly surprised how easy it is to control.... he's having a ball with it!
Remember the WRC cars are race cars so the comforts of modern cars is removed, you are going to be climbing through a cage and using a 5 point. Sound deadening is all removed along with the seats and trim in the back. The other thing is those engines are made to go hard for a short period of time and to be rebuilt much sooner than a stock engine. So would all that be better than a Works Countryman? Probably not.
I think happy Jim thinks there will be a WRC version for the normal public. I read here on M/A one has been proposed. If there is I'm thinking it's going to be some tape stripes & odd colored mirrors sold at a very premium price. AWD is great, but proper tires play a very important part of that. I love AWD too! Especially with snow tires, HaKKa's please.
I am hoping they come out with something like they did with the GP. Some creature comforts on the inside, but with suspension packages and such to make it handle better, go fast and have the exterior look of the WRC car. I can dream and you can't stop me. rrr: Jim
Speaking of snow - at 3pm on Tuesday the 2nd of Feb 2011 and we've got over a foot on the ground, and now it's really starting to come down! My wife had to go to work, she works for a doctor's answering service and like them she has to be there. The Audi took a couple of tries to get going up the hill out of the driveway, but once it started moving she was fine, and the main roads are plowed so she should be OK. But if she gets stuck tonight at 2 am on the way home there's no way I can go rescue her in the MINI, there'll be 2 feet down by then and I doubt I'll even make it out of the driveway, let alone the neighborhood.
Thought what we had was some snow on top of a layer of ice till I took the trash out. Solid sheet of ice on the driveway, slid all the way down to the street, didn't even leave a mark on the ice where I fell too. About 20F out there too, wonder how long it will take to heat up the grill to make dinner.
Had a 1/4" of ice everywhere today at work. Used up a 50# bag of calcium chloride. Hope I can get another bag in the morning. Only had one employee not make it in today.
I couldn't make it back up my driveway from getting the mail due to the ice. Missy came out in the garage to make sure I hadn't fallen and then proceeded to laugh at me as I started to slid backwards once I got about 2 feet from the garage. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes cold and deep snow are not a fun combo. I agree with Jim, a WRC Countryman set for street usage would be a hoot. We make do with our little 4DR. This crap keeps up and blizzacks may be mounted up by the end of the week. You all take care on the ice and stay warm. Don
The weather down here in South Texas is so bad I'm going quail hunting tomorrow. Will be a bit chilly but the dogs work better and your beer doesn't get hot.