Can you recommend a car that handles well in snow, but isn't necessarily an AWD?

Why not look at used suv's or crossovers? My first car when I was 16 (in 05') was a very nice 99' Ford Explorer sport with 70K miles. It cost $7500. My parents put heavy duty tires on it, and it handled great in all weather conditions, especially snow. I never had a single problem with that car the entire time I owned it (it was totaled by some idiot, but it had well over 120K miles on it and still ran perfectly up until that point). Used cars can be very nice, and you can find some super deals just because they are pre-owned. Just be sure to have an independent mechanic look them over first to make sure the dealership isn't glossing over any hidden problems. The $50 to get an inspection is way worth it. If your budget is $14,000, you should have no problem finding a super nice used suv or crossover.

Incidentally, if you live in a snowy climate, and need to drive in the winter, don't even look at FWD vehicles of any kind, no matter how nice or cheap. They suck in the snow. My current car is a Mustang. It doesn't snow much where I live, but when it does, my car stays parked in the driveway. It does not in any way make snow driving safe, and if you get stuck, there is no getting out without a tow.

We have a big front-wheel drive (FWD) Ford Taurus with traction control and a set of good all-weather tires. This is our third winter with the car and we haven't been stuck yet.

Hi Selkie and Happy New Year! Richard R is correct. Subaru make's great front-wheel drive vehicle's. Here is there website:

http://www.subaru.com/

Any with ESC.... that will have traction control as will as help the car from sliding. They do work great, wish all my cars had it. Without traction control, front wheel drive is best, with traction control front or rear wheel drive.... With ESC, makes no difference. Some car manufactures are now going back to rear wheel drive with traction control.

(With the thumbs down means the brainless thumb downer has no idea what ESC is. But in the future he will know because it will be on a lot if not all cars.)

Even if you buy 4WD or AWD vehicle if it doesn't have good tires / wrong tires, it won't get the job done.

You can buy a set of wheels and winter tires. It would be a lot cheaper than buying another vehicle.

I suggest you get a set of 4. I would not recommend buying a set of 2. Many people just buy a set of 2, and put them on their drive wheels. The problem with that is. You greatly increase your traction on those wheels yet didn't do anything to other end. For front wheels drive cars the problem is on curves you have a lot less traction on rear wheels if you choose to buy a set of 2. Which can cause your car to over-steer and spin out.

Hon, go for a Saab. Doesn't matter which make or model. We have one, can't remember the make though, lol, and it handles like a DREAM in winter weather. We live around Chicago and the weather can turn to straight up hell around here. It's the husbands car and he has to drive roughly 40 minutes to and from work. Most of the trip in the open country with a speed limit of 55. He's never once had a problem driving through the snow packed or ice covered roads. That car rocks! And it's only front wheel drive. It's not AWD or a 4WD.

The Saab stays on the road like it's on rails.

Are you looking new, or used? New Imprezas and Impreza Outback Sports can be had for less than $20k brand new, and you just can't beat em in bad weather (Live in WV, family has always had Scoobies, and I just bought a new Legacy Christmas Eve). If you need something a little bigger, I would look at used Subaru Foresters.

Try a Saab they handle like they are on tracks !

check out Suzuki some of their cars have 4 and AWD also subaru, audi ,

σσσσ§§╚{AÄ█±

A Honda Accord does well in the snow. It's front wheel drive and has a fairly wide wheel base (basically the width of the car from left side tires to right). Also, it's cheap, gets good gas mileage, and is reliable.

By the way, I have NO idea how a car's distance from the ground gives it good traction? Traction deals with the width of the tires and the tread primarily.