Bought a Yeti 1,2 three weeks ago. My first Skoda and I'm positively surprised. Looking forward to drive it on Norwegian winter roads, wich is easily six months with ice and/or snow. In our driveway and yard there is 20 cm of new snow several times during the season, but that shouldn't be a problem.

Good morning Norse!

I am begining my journey into looking for a Yeti and your post is very interesting.

What model have you got? Have you got an Elegance, with all the toys or have you gone for a model and added bits like the Off Road Button?

We will have snow in our hilly area of East Sussex but not as much as you.

Am interested to know if the SE 4X4 capability is good for most things and to see if you really only need the DownHill button for drastic off road driving.

Cheers

Lee

Hello Norse and welcome along

Hi Lee

I have the Yeti Active as it's called here. A rather stripped model. I bought it mainly because I was sick of sitting low when driving, which I did in my Merc 180c. Have had VW before, and I'm very pleased with the VAG quality and their local dealer. If I had had the money, I would've bought a Tuareg, but in this country we're talking about 25000 £ for a 2003 model with 200k on the clock, and that is just ridiculous.

So far the Yeti has surprised me a lot, other than on mpg which is not good at all with that small engine. Even if I'm 189 cm tall the seats are almost great. I was very close to buying a Nissan Qashqai, but I went for the Yeti since it has more space over my head.

I have driven cars since 1978, and I can think of only three, four times when I needed 4x4. So i bought 2wd and saved at least 6000£. Even in the old days with no ESP, there was no problems at all driving on ice and snow as long as you had proper winter tyres. Before that meant studded tyres, which will get you almost anywhere. Today, the non studded tyres are as good on snow, but on ice you have to be more careful.

I'm thinking of buying a third set of wheels. We have to change to winter tyres before October 15, and since the snow usually doesn't fall till December, I end up driving with steel studs on dry roads. That is not a good idea. But come Xmas and one metre of snow, studs are great on local snow filled roads.

But if you do go off road, which is illegal here, I believe 4x4 is essential.

Thanks old chap,

I am having a great deal of anguish over the issue of snow. We will only get once (twice at a push) but I do not want to be snowed in.

The work vehicles (zaffira's) were fitted with snow tyres last year and they were good. So I do understand your point that tyres are foremost in the decision.

What gets me is that you are in one of the snowiest countries and have only got a 2 wheel drive!!! But of course, you have already answered that by buying the right tyres in the first place.....

I live in a rural area that does attract snow when it comes due to being on a hill - I do not want to risk buying a 2 wheel drive (was planning on getting winter/snow tyres anyway) and then get caught out when I should have opted for the Yeti 4X4 (i like the fact that it is demand 4x4 and not permenant - fuel consumption wise anyway). Especially as we live in a lane that is inclined, will not be gritted (not that gritting is the answer to everything) and finding myself being unable to simply drive out of our lane - talk about embarassing!!

I wouldn't want a total off-road vehicle, as the nearest this would get is a farmers field in the wet, snowy/wet country lanes.

Thanks for the advice, will have a think.....

Lee

Edited 13 October, 201213 yr by Porkie32

I have talked with a lot of 4x4 owners over the years. Without exceptions they say it's much better than 2wd on difficult conditions. Especially the feeling of never having to worry anymore in advance as many drivers do during our winters.

My brother has a merc ml. He's just so pleased with it and he knows nothing will stop him ever. But, all experts stress that such a heavy car has to have studded tyres due to make it stop fast enough on snow when the going gets tough. He agrees 100%. And he knows if he pushes it to much through corners, it's in the ditch the next second. That I've heard from several 4x4 drivers.

I have driven Volvo 240 + 343, mercs with or without ESP, passat, renaults, toyotas, and several other 2wd cars over the years. There are three conditions to surviving winter roads with such cars. Tyres, what we call long breaking lengths (stay well behind the car in front if you), and a light right foot. So far so good, and until ten years ago 99,8% of all cars in Norway were 2wd. So unless you'll expect lots of snow for weeks in a row, forget 4x4 and spend the saved money on something else!

Have a nice evening :-)

Hi Norse, that's all great advice and holds good in all conditions, not just in the snow :-)

Hi Stephen,

I guess you're right on that. I don't know in your country, but here more and more young men drive fast cars. Whereas we (1970s) drove beetles, fiestas, amazonsn cortinas and such, they drive gtis and bmws with large engines. They're easily doing 150 km/h faster than our top speeds, and they have left their brains at home. Talked to a policeman this summer, he had stopped an 18year old boy doing 195 km/h in his old bmw 7 series. The police car was a Volvo v50, and it just barely kept up with the boy. Who, btw, had had his license for one week. The policeman said this is almost a common situation on our main highways, driving way to fast. In addition to that, there are regions in this country with hardly any people, and there young kids drive like maniacs. And sadly many of them crashes and die or are seriously injured for life.

Edited 14 October, 201213 yr by Norse