Generally the same advice, but with some exceptions. Some Subaru fours had an oil-use issue up till about 2014-1015. AWD Buick Regals from that era might be hard to find on the used-car market....few of them were sold even brand-new. Also, keep in mind that, for what some of those more expensive used vehicles will cost (especially for a CPO), you could have a brand new Legacy.

In general, Lexus will be the best, but Opel-based Buicks have also been impressive. According to Consumer reports, recent Audis have also improved markedly. Subarus are generally above average, but sometimes with engine/transmission issues. Infiniti and Volvo are generally lower on the reliability totem-pole....but not near the bottom.

 

I agree. If the snow is too deep, it is probably not AWD that will get you through but higher ground clearance. If it is just winter weather (not necessarily a lot of snow), FWD and a set of 4 winter tires will get you through.

 

The problem is.....the mother's bad back and physical limitations may rule out high-stance vehicles. That's why I made the recommendations I did. I agree, however, that FWD and a good set of Blizzaks is almost as good as AWD, providing conditions aren't too bad. And you probably don't want to be on the road at all if it is a true blizzard.

 

so i will ask another question
lets just compare ease of driving in snow between an es with a set of blizzaks and gs with all season michelin primacy

 

The ES would do just fine in Indiana winters with those tires. Even without the Blizzaks it would do well except maybe after an unusually heavy snowfall. In which case just wait until the streets and roads are cleared.

 

That's hard to say...several variables are involved. But the ES with Blizzaks, of course, would be less expense.

 

AWD (or FWD) with just all season tires will get you going in the winter but it is the set of winter tires (like the Blizzaks), regardless of AWD, RWD or FWD that will get you stopped in the shortest distance.

Once you step on the brakes, it doesn't matter what wheels are driving you -- FWD, RWD or AWD -- it depends on how good your tires are that will stop you in the shortest distance. As temperatures get colder, rubber in tires hardens and harder tires have less traction. In the cold (below 45deg Fahrenheit or 7deg Celsius), true winter tires have better traction than all season tires. Winter tires have softer rubber than all season tires.

See this thread for a good discussion of winter tires:

 

and perhaps the last question for a little while
THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP
picking between a 2011 gs 350 and a 2014 es 350 both with 50k miles for the same price

 

anybody have an opinion on this?

also wondering if the es with snow tires is just as good the the gs is the ct also just as good?


thanks

 

For you parents needs, either one would be OK. The ES is known for appealing to an older demographic which includes drivers in the snow belt.

 

As much as I like RWD with 4 snows, I have to admit AWD with 4 snows is much better. We have 2 RWD cars, and one AWD. So I'd stick with an AWD Lexus, don't they all have it now meaning IS, GS, and LS? So IS is entry level. It's just me, I have long ruled out the ES, I get that many don't know it's a Camry based car, but I play the "not a real Lexus" game with it....fair? Of course not, nothing more than opinion....why not just get a Camry they are nice too, instead of an ES.

 

The ES does not compare with the Camry. Since 2013, the ES has been based on the same stretched Camry platform as the Avalon. Maybe the Avalon would be a better choice for the OP's parents. Better yet, let them decide.

 

Interesting, I stand corrected...see how hard it is to change an image to those who are not directly involved? I prefer RWD based AWD....I hope the IS is still RWD?

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-...0-comfort.html

An older CL thread with members contributing opinions that might help you. I too figure the ES rides better than the GS but if you must have AWD, then you'll need to be very selective on which model GS to look at. As that thread says, an older AWD LS will be the smoothest and most comfortable, so that's a possibility.

 

I don't have any experience with an ES with snow tires, but I do have an AWD GS with Michelin Primacy tires. I've been amazed at how well my GS handles the snow. An AWD GS with snow tires would be even better. I would think an ES on snow tires would do very, very well.

That's a good link/thread, but that thread compares the 4th Gen GS to the ES. The OP is looking at the 3rd Gen GS, which is notably softer than the 4th gen discussed in that thread.