1993 Mazda Navajo 2wd in snow

[latintrpt]

I have this guy that is selling a 1993 Mazda Navajo 2wd with 47,000 miles. It is in perfect condition. He rarely drives it and keeps it in very good condition. I was just wondering what you guys thought about this SUV. I live in Chicago and sometimes the snow can get a little on the heavy side. Do you think that this will do well in the winter because it is 2wd? It does have a limited slip differential

Thanks guys.

 

[little x]

A RWD 2WD SUV will perform worse in the snow then any normal FWD passenger car.

 

[Spdrcer34]

Weren't the Navajo's ALL 4wd?....I didn't know that 2WD was an option on them...

Weird.

But to answer the question....a Ford Taurus will be outperform the 2dr. Sport/Navajo in 2WD on STREETS covered in snow...but if the Taurus ever left the street, the Sport/Navajo is a much better suited vehicle.

Ryan

 

[XploreAlaska]

Ninnies!!! I RARELY use 4wd in the snow on the roads in alaska, and I've never owned a set of studded tires, (I should also add I've never been involved in a highway accident) open diffs are key u don't want both wheels spinning or else you'll be losing it around the corners

 

[BillyBob82]

I'd stay away from it. You might only use the 4x4 once or twice a year, but believe me, when you do need it, you'll be happy you have it.

 

[briwayjones]

Today's FWD cars are so light I don't think they really do any better or get any better traction than than the Navajo would do, or SUVs in 2WD would do. SUVs are balanced more evenly than regular cars. I often don't use 4WD in the snow unless it gets on the heavy side. I think it all depends on how comfortable you are driving in the snow. If you're comfortable driving other 2WD or FWD vehicles in the snow than you would probably be fine. But keep in mind it will handle different than FWD vehicles. If it has limited slip in the rear than it'll do pretty decent. If it doesn't and has a open differential than not so well. I would also get All Terrain tires on it if it doesn't have them.

But as Billy Bob said if you can get one with 4WD I would do that because when you need 4WD, you need 4WD and will be happy you have it.

 

[XploreAlaska]

I have a 2005 focus for a DD (all weather pirelli tires with no studs) and it DOES do better than an explorer in 2wd, in the snow you DO NOT want both wheels spinning driving down the road!!!!! One at a time keeps you from spinning out... Ever see anybody spin a donut with an open differential??? Nope, you haven't, because it dosent work, same concept applies to ice and snow. Who knows, if you truly do suck at driving in the snow a 4wd conversion may be for you!! (Or buy a 4wd ex or navajo instead)

 

[briwayjones]

Ever see anybody spin a donut with an open differential??? Nope, you haven't, because it dosent work, same concept applies to ice and snow.

Umm, you mean doing a donut on purpose? I do all the time during the winter. With 3 different Explorers, all open differentials.

 

[XploreAlaska]

I gues I shoulda mention I was talking dry pavement, I know you can do it on ice no problem, its just easier with ls or locked though.

 

[XxxMonoxideChild]

i can say, i havent had a reason to even put the truck in 4wd in the snow yet. but i do have the option if it ever come's up.

and im in rockford, so i know how the snow get's like your sayin.

 

[briwayjones]

I gues I shoulda mention I was talking dry pavement, I know you can do it on ice no problem, its just easier with ls or locked though.

Ah, yeah dry pavement would be different.

 

[patrick112390]

yea it would be a one tire fire! althought i did get the mounty sideways a few times floorin it-AWD that was b4 the body lift and tires... would be a bit scary now

 

[Four0Sport]

ever get your awd in a synch'd donut? its awesome, leaves a nice print on the parking lot youre at too. both the front wheels and the rear wheels spinning, you just sit in the same spot doing a donut, unlike a rwd where you elongate the circle each pass and move slightly. i cant wait till it snows.

 

[patrick112390]

ever get your awd in a synch'd donut? its awesome, leaves a nice print on the parking lot youre at too. both the front wheels and the rear wheels spinning, you just sit in the same spot doing a donut, unlike a rwd where you elongate the circle each pass and move slightly. i cant wait till it snows.

ha nope havent done that... but if it ever did decide to snow here in va i would ha

 

[Four0Sport]

do you take your awd off road? one time i had my 97 awd 'off the road' and i dont know if was just bc the tires were crappy all seasons or what but i didnt like how it felt on the trails.

 

[Doom325]

I'm interested in knowing about a 2wd in snow as well b/c I purchased a 4x4 exploder but the transfer case is trashed. It has the limited slip as well.

 

[Cozmik]

I drove my 98 Sport in the snow twice after the BWM and the Aussie locker. The back end kept trying to pass the front in 2wd. It was fun, but not that quick to get anywhere. I had to turn the auto 4wd back on just so I could drive it normally. Mind you, I had s@#t tires on it then too, which would have had a huge impact. I guess when it comes down to it, with rwd you can goose the throttle to "steer" in the snow, fwd you do that you go straight off the road.

 

[Four0Sport]

the key to any 2wd in the snow is tires though, well to any vehicle period really.

 

[Cozmik]

the key to any 2wd in the snow is tires though, well to any vehicle period really.

Tires are definately key. I drove my old 1987 IROC Z with a 350 under the hood for 1 winter. It was a PITA, but I had decent rubber and muddled through.

Between my wife and I we've had 5 4WD's. We both have 3rd gen Ex's now.
4WD kicks butt in the nasty weather. A lot of guys say "Well if you could drive.....". I used to drive long haul truck for a living. Bad weather is bad weather and 4WD is a sweet advantage, period.

 

[Four0Sport]

last night i took my brother down to an old strip job and i got out and turned the hubs, when i got back in the truck he said "why dont you see how far you can go in 2wd", hes young, he'll learn.