View Poll Results: Winter Driver: Subaru Outback or LS430?
Buy a 06-08 AWD Subaru Outback for winter use
12
42.86%
Enjoy driving (and cleaning) the LS430 w/ winter tires
16
57.14%
Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll
Winter Driver - What Would You Do?
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,810
Likes: 15
From: MI
Winter Driver - What Would You Do?
I sold my Allante and am debating whether or not to also sell my RWD Dakota and buy something like a used AWD Subaru Outback. The Dakota is OK for around town, but daily long distance reliability is a question mark and it's rough on my back for more than about 15 minutes. An Outback would do 90%+ of what I need a utility vehicle for. I have a 90 mile round trip commute and we get our share of snow, ice, and (of course) salt. No matter what I do, I'll still put winter tires, wheels, and mats on the LS430. Cost isn't really a consideration between these two choice. What would you do?
Rookie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 79
Likes: 2
From: NJ
Keep the LS away from the snow! I would even consider buying an older outback - this way you don't feel bad using it as a beater vehicle if you ever had to. I have an 01' Forester with 180K mi that I purchased from a good friend and use as my winter car. But if you do drive long distances daily (50+mi) definitely stick with a newer car.
Last year my LS sat outside all winter and when I tried to move it after a minor snow-storm - it wouldn't budge. Not sure snow tires would have fixed that. Subbie worked wonder is snow 4x as deep and then some!
Last year my LS sat outside all winter and when I tried to move it after a minor snow-storm - it wouldn't budge. Not sure snow tires would have fixed that. Subbie worked wonder is snow 4x as deep and then some!
CL Community Team
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,916
Likes: 227
From: Alabama
I'd keep the LS out of the winter salt environment if at all possible. Salt will destroy even the best car in short order.
4 wheel drive is great in snow - Subaru Outback or Forester would be very good, or maybe a used Highlander (in 4wd) if you want to stick with Toyota. Based on the major ratings, the 01-07 V6 Highlanders were about the most reliable vehicles ever built. But the Subaru do very well in reliability also.
4 wheel drive is great in snow - Subaru Outback or Forester would be very good, or maybe a used Highlander (in 4wd) if you want to stick with Toyota. Based on the major ratings, the 01-07 V6 Highlanders were about the most reliable vehicles ever built. But the Subaru do very well in reliability also.
Caddyowner imagine this:
It's winter. You are on a highway in your LS trying to get from point A to point B. Ahead of you is a guy in the right lane operating a salt spreader and he's doing 25 to 30mph spreading salt across the hwy from the right lane to the far left. What will you do? Will you be trailing behind him wondering when he'll run out of salt? Or will you hit the gas pedal and pray that your LS wont get hit by the salt spewing out of the salt spreader when you pass his?
Maybe where you live DOT has a different way of doing things but here in NY, NJ, CT area thats how they operate. So i say leave LS at home and get a subaru.
It's winter. You are on a highway in your LS trying to get from point A to point B. Ahead of you is a guy in the right lane operating a salt spreader and he's doing 25 to 30mph spreading salt across the hwy from the right lane to the far left. What will you do? Will you be trailing behind him wondering when he'll run out of salt? Or will you hit the gas pedal and pray that your LS wont get hit by the salt spewing out of the salt spreader when you pass his?
Maybe where you live DOT has a different way of doing things but here in NY, NJ, CT area thats how they operate. So i say leave LS at home and get a subaru.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,595
Likes: 271
From: Kansas
Drive your LS in winter, keep it clean and don't worry. Winter driving is especially dangerous. Which would you rather be in if the "big one" (crash) comes -- an LS or a Suburu?
I drove a 90 LS from new through 13 salty midwest winters and it didn't have a speck of rust on it when I sold it in late 2003. My 2000 LS still looks like new after 10 winters and is rust free.
Cars, like life, are made to enjoy and use up. Use up your LS and buy another one when the time comes.
I drove a 90 LS from new through 13 salty midwest winters and it didn't have a speck of rust on it when I sold it in late 2003. My 2000 LS still looks like new after 10 winters and is rust free.
Cars, like life, are made to enjoy and use up. Use up your LS and buy another one when the time comes.
CL Community Team
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,916
Likes: 227
From: Alabama
The rust that ultimately destroys and devalues your car the most is up underneath it. Its the rust on the suspension parts, brakes, frame, exhaust, gas tank, etc. that is so hard to eliminate, that's the rust that kills a car, not so much the cosmetic rust on the outside body, trim or paint.
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Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 391
Likes: 2
From: NYC
Keep the LS away from the snow! I would even consider buying an older outback - this way you don't feel bad using it as a beater vehicle if you ever had to. I have an 01' Forester with 180K mi that I purchased from a good friend and use as my winter car. But if you do drive long distances daily (50+mi) definitely stick with a newer car.
Last year my LS sat outside all winter and when I tried to move it after a minor snow-storm - it wouldn't budge. Not sure snow tires would have fixed that. Subbie worked wonder is snow 4x as deep and then some!
Last year my LS sat outside all winter and when I tried to move it after a minor snow-storm - it wouldn't budge. Not sure snow tires would have fixed that. Subbie worked wonder is snow 4x as deep and then some!
How much are you paying for insurance for the forester ??if u dont mind me asking
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Brett Foote
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 757
Likes: 4
From: WA
My 05 CL performs its winter duty well. Get another set of rims and some good snow tires and you are all set to go. I highly recommend the Michelin X-Ice2 for the LS 
The only two things that I've seen that have winter wear is the front rotors and the chrome rims. The rotors can become slightly pitted from the salt, but I'm sure that's the same for any car. The Lexus chrome rims have a habit of chrome peeling after a few seasons of use.
The only two things that I've seen that have winter wear is the front rotors and the chrome rims. The rotors can become slightly pitted from the salt, but I'm sure that's the same for any car. The Lexus chrome rims have a habit of chrome peeling after a few seasons of use.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 78
From: Northern VA
The rust that ultimately destroys and devalues your car the most is up underneath it. Its the rust on the suspension parts, brakes, frame, exhaust, gas tank, etc. that is so hard to eliminate, that's the rust that kills a car, not so much the cosmetic rust on the outside body, trim or paint.
If it's snow where they don't salt the roads, like in NM or AZ, then put on Blizzaks and you're good to go.
Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
I bought my LS knowing that come fall I would have to get some serious winter tires and try my best to keep it clean. I think with the right tires and you being an experienced driver it should be manageable except in exceptionally heavy snowfalls.
The salt and rust issue is a valid concern. I think in my area they might salt a lot less because everyone drives their luxury cars year round and I haven't seen excessive rust that worries me at all. Obviously this varies with region and washing routines.
PS: Does anyone know if those devices which charge your vehicle to prevent rust realistically offer real protection?
The salt and rust issue is a valid concern. I think in my area they might salt a lot less because everyone drives their luxury cars year round and I haven't seen excessive rust that worries me at all. Obviously this varies with region and washing routines.
PS: Does anyone know if those devices which charge your vehicle to prevent rust realistically offer real protection?
Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: New York
I've got an LS430, and I live up in Alberta Canada where we get what is generally known as "real winter". I've been driving my LS430 for 3 winters now with no problems. Yes, I do have good winter tires, and drive in "Winter" mode on the snowy days, but otherwise the traction and skid control look after everything just fine.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,810
Likes: 15
From: MI
I'm going to test-sit my wife in an Outback and see where it goes.
I don't know if I've mentioned it here before, but my wife has started a treatment plan for breast cancer. Daily radiation treatments will be next winter about 20 miles away (after chemo and surgery this summer /fall).
I don't know if I've mentioned it here before, but my wife has started a treatment plan for breast cancer. Daily radiation treatments will be next winter about 20 miles away (after chemo and surgery this summer /fall).
Driver
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
Caddy, keep the LS in the garage, your gonna want something you can get your wife to and from appointments and whatnot and not be stressing about what will and can happen to the LS. I just got my wife a 03 explorer Eddie Bauer for the winters here in Germany, best decision I could have made.