Snow in Eastern Canada: How bad is it really?
 

Anyone have any first hand experience with just how bad the snow will pile up out East? In the Toronto area in particular, and commuting between there, Waterloo, and Guelph.

Moving down there soon - maybe permanently - and I wonder if I could actually get away with bringing my s2000 with me. I own snow tires and I regularly carry chains in my trunk, but would that be enough?

sell the 2k and get a EVO/STI + snow tires and chain = ultimate driving machine

undercoat undercoat undercoat. Remember they use a shit load more salt than we do.

I lived in Gagetown New Brunswick during the winter time, and I've seen 4 ft of snow any given day. Personally it should be okay, since there will be guys clearing snow and salt on the road. I had a FWD with good snow tires all around and it was fine.

The two biggest differences between winter driving in Vancouver and SWO are the ice buildup that you get out west from the fluctuations in temperature, and the amount of snowfall that can dump in a very short period of time. Our roads out here (Ontario) are generally much better maintained during the winter and the highways particularly are well plowed and sanded. Occasionally they'll fall behind if you get a day or three of solid snow falling but for the most part it's not that bad. The 401 and the 6/7 up to Guelph and Waterloo are kept up fairly well. Unlike taking highway 1 out towards Hope, you don't as commonly see vehicle after vehicle in the ditch, and that's because we get enough snow each winter that people actually know how to control their cars.

I'm in the market right now for an 05ish STI to replace my truck as it'll still be good to drive year round. The single biggest reason why I would shy away from bringing the s2k out isn't so much that it wouldn't be driveable (it probably would be okay most winters) it's more that the constant assault of salt and gravel on the roads will absolutely destroy the car.

I grew up in Winnipeg and have been there periodically through the winter since. I can not stress how much salt they pour on the roads there. As the above poster said 'Undercoat, undercoat, undercoat'.

They ARE better prepared for dealing with the snow back east and you will find as long as you're in well ridden/populated areas you'll be plowed pretty much the morning after any major snow fall. Which brings me to...

Invest in a good shovel. The plow that clears the roads will probably block your driveway.

Evo would be better because its a FWD based AWD driveterrain, thus more weight in front :)

I grew up in Ottawa, and honestly the best vehicle is definetly a 4runner or something similar. their was a picture after me shovelling a big ass snow fall off my driveway but by the time january was done, i couldnt fit any more snow on my lawn as it was way too high ( almost reaching the top of my garage) so i use to shovel the snow into a wheel barrell and bring it in my backyard.

on a unrelated note.

it gets really depressing their after a while, i mean nothing is more live than vancouver.

Thanks for all the advice!

Interesting, I hadn't thought about this. Although, I can't seem to find any reason why an STI or Evo would be any less thrashed by the salt and gravel. Would ground clearance make a big difference?

Even Toronto?!

they get abit more snow out east but they are pretty good at clearing it

http://images.dpchallenge.com/images...ted_715437.jpg

yeah, because its so cold out everyone just stays inside. They only leave the house for work and groceries.

Keep the S2k.. Buy a used late 90s Legacy GT or an Impreza 2.2TS sedan as a beater.

P.S. Have you gotten an insurance quote on your S2k yet? Depending on your age and driving history, you might be in for some major pw3nage..

I moved to Ontario a couple years back and the snow isn't too bad. I've lived in London, Ontario (in the "snow belt") and am in Toronto now. As others have indicated, they're very good with clearing the snow here so your stook with snows is fine. FYI, I drive a 350z with about 4 inches of clearance and I've been fine.

Also, just because it's semi-related here's a picture I took last winter as I driving back from Pearson.. Yes... that thing has a turbos. :P

http://i55.tinypic.com/153r85t.jpg

Also... I'm not sure what that guy is talking about there.... I can't speak for the areas outside of downtown TO but people absolutely don't just stay home during the winter. With events and concerts happening every weekend plus nightlife comparable to every major metropolitan city in the world, I'm not sure how you can say Vancouver is livelier.... As an added bonus, when you go out here you don't have to worry about getting shot. People here are out to have a good time and are much, much more approachable.

^false, the main reason i moved from ontario is because of queitness and boringness. Maybe toronto is a bit better but not that much. As for shootings, it happens everywhere.

has anyone driven through the praries?

op, why are you leaving vancouver in the first place?

would this mean you leaving rs as well??

He's going to be working there. I don't see why that means he's leaving RS. He won't be here locally, but I'm sure he'll still visit online.

i have, drove from ottawa too vancouver in a U-haul with my dad, 110k speed limit and nothing but farm fields all the way through, youll hit some towns up on the way for food and gas but thats it. Only exciting thing to is see is the farm fields change colour as you pass them.

You wouldn't happen to know how the road conditions are in the winter do you? I almost wanna try driving an s2k across Canada in the dead of winter for a challenge lol. Seems like a once in a lifetime kinda thing.

theres a shitload of black ice around the rockies.

i have no clue, i cant imagine it would be too good, because theirs not many stops and stuff and for the speed limit being 110, i highly doubt city workers would clean the roads out their. Its scary driving out their man lol, make sure you have plenty of safety supplies and food and DEFINETLY never let your gas meter go below half, we made that mistake and the truck was basically driving off fumes lol, i wouldnt go alone.

Here is Ottawa in December.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y81...a/IMG_0126.jpg

Moved here from Van with my 'Cooper in 2006. I wouldn't even dream about driving your s2k during the winter over here. I see rust on cars made the early to mid 2000's here. The salt is a real killer.

On the plus side, people do know how to winter-drive out east, and I hear snow/winter in Toronto isnt as bad as Ottawa. We get down to -40 during January/Feb. Buy a winter beater and get a fucking warm winter coat!

^ i remember walking home from skool and when i breathed in my nose hairs would freeze toghether.