Hello,

It's been quite awhile since I posted, or have even visited. Last summer, we moved from Portland, OR; and returned to Spokane, WA. Well, La Niña/El Viejo has dumped a LOT of snow (for someone who has spent 8 of the last ten years in Portland and Seattle)in the area- 60+" since 1 December. We live on a steep hill. My wife's 2003 Camry is doing okay, now that she has cables, but has engine weight over the drive wheels.

I am worried about trying to drive The Blue Brick (my 89 245)in the snow, but it seems to have better clearance, and, well- it is from Sweden, right?

Any ideas/ suggestions/ helpful comments?

Mikojay

PS: I can't figure out how to post a photo of TBB, half buried. Any help is appreciated.

Get snow tires and don't worry about extra weight. Full tank of gas is plenty. The tires are what matter. I love driving 240's in snow with snow tires. Even the cheapest dedicated snow tire is worlds ahead of any all season tire in my experience. Tirerack just had a sale on some blizzak revo 1's which I got...they are great tires. Nokian Hakka's are stupendous as well.

Good luck,

Nate
--
1997 850, 1979 242GT, 1990 740GL

I gotta agree with Nate! Our 245's seem to get up our scary driveway just fine without any extra weight. Just get *good* snow tires all around, and you'll probably find that the 245 does better than a FWD car in snow. They're well balanced cars... plus when your "drive" wheels break traction in a RWD car, you don't also lose steering traction!

All I can add is that when it snows, don't go anywhere unless you have to. Whether or not your car gets crunched up on slippery roads depends more on the driving skills of other drivers than yours.

-Ryan
--

Athens, Ohio
1987 245 DL 314k, Dog-mobile
1990 245 DL 134k M47, E-codes, GT Sway Bars
1991 745 GL 295k, Regina, 23/21mm Turbo Sway Bars
Buckeye Volvo Club

like everyone says, a good set of snow tire will get you through almost anything. i found both of the 240's i had back home were great in the snow and we got dumped on out east on the regular. a bit of weight won't hurt in the back of the wagon and when your used to it you'll love the rear wheel drive in the snow. wouldn't have it any other way.

I have a set of Green Diamonds on my car which I love. Good snow tires and extra weight in the trunk (or a full gas tank) and you should be good.
--
Mike F - 1984 244 DL - 265,000 miles
Original engine, transmission, drive train, alternator, starter
Undergoing reconstructive surgery with POR-15

Just takes a good set of tires and take it easy.

mormit
--
02 S40 , 98 V70 T5 Koni FSDs, IPD swaybars and HD Endlinks, 85 245DL 277,000mi V15cam It takes a licking and keeps on ticking

put on snow tires, throw a few sandbags in the trunk and drive away.

Be sure to use dedicated snow tires like Bridgestone Blizzaks or Michelin X-ice tires, instead of all-season tires. With 250 pounds in the trunk, you'll make it through better than the Camry. Unless, of course, you put Blizzaks on the Camry too.