I've found FWD small cars to be quite capable in winter weather. The skinny tires give good traction, and their light weight makes them easier to stop. Plus, his '02 is probably 4-wheel ABS, while his truck is not. But, the best winter-weather safety device is the lump on the shoulders--knowing when to NOT go out in inclement weather.

As for collisions, damage to the vehicle isn't the only measure of whether it's better than another in an accident. Newer vehicles, with some exceptions tend to be better at energy management than these old trucks. So, while the truck may come out looking just a little dented, the occupants may not be so fortunate. Newer vehicles will practically self-destruct to deflect the energy of the collision away from and around the occupants, leaving them in better health, but the car may be destroyed. Think Dale Earnhardt's final crash (looked minor) versus the spectacular one that happened Saturday with the car flying and destroyed and parts flying everywhere--and the driver walked away unhurt.

Jason

 

^^^This. Crumple zones and controlling the rate of deceleration is key to crash protection. I could care less what my car looks like after a wreck, so long as I'm not seriously injured or killed. The old philosophy of "more metal and weight is better, it's safer!" is no longer relevant. For winter driving a set of snow tires on steel wheels (at all 4 corners) makes a night and day difference. Even with AWD, I plan on getting snow tires & steelies for my Subaru next season.




This illustrates the technology vs mass idea pretty well:



(And crash test videos are cool!)

 

I vote for keeping the Mazda, and storing the truck (wherever you can) until times are better.

 

Space is surely a concern, my parents live with us and they drive. I did just buy four snows on steel wheels and if some don't know, we had a blizzard the same day. I had to go out and get a med for one of my patients and can't remember a vehicle handling terrible weather so well. I suppose if I had to crash through the snowbank at the end of the driveway I'd be screwed but we have a plow guy for that!

 

cant do it in the back of a mazda car though with a truck you have at least six foot

 

x2

I'd much rather take my Monte Carlo through six inches of snow than take the F150 through an inch on the road. If I don't have to worry about sliding into other people then the pickup is more fun, but the FWD is much more planted and handles better than the 4WD does. I'm just waiting for one of these lifted pickups around here to rear end me when they can't stop.

 

You kiddin me!?!? We have three kids, we don't have time to "do it"!

 

awww thats a bummer lol

 

So, are you any closer to a decision?

 

I was... I was driving home and taking backroads, downshifting, upshifting, cornering, braking enjoying the aftermarket stereo, quiet drivetrain, tight suspension...

Then I pulled into my driveway and saw the Ford.

 

keep the car then with the extra money you save on gas you can buy a really nice ford! or sell the car and use all that money for gas in the truck.... personally i would keep the car its much more practical for a DD and I'm sure you have buddies with trucks if you need to borrow one

 

store it until the money gets right