Whoa!!! Alaska!!! Yeah, I guess I'd opt for snows for Alaskan winter driving.

 

Having just come through a very mild New England winter with my 07 LS, I found snow driving to be horrible! While my HHR does not have ABS/TC, I am comparing it to other cars I have driven without those features, as well as those that had. I've had powerfull V8 rear drivers that were much better. Snappy acceleration and light weight do not a winter vehicle make!! The stock tires are garbage, but I doubt snows would make that much difference. I love this car, but next winter it will be garaged, and I will look toward geting a cheap older vehicle for winter. This wil cut down mileage by 4-5 months too!

 

I've got a '92 Subaru Loyale that I bought for $600 that I drive thru the winter. It's a 5-speed with push button 4WD and 13" all-season tires. It's great in the snow!! Never worry about salt, potholes, getting stuck. It's rusty but trusty!! Not much to look at but is ANY car in the dead of winter?? I just got my HHR LS but if what I'm reading in the other posts is true about HHRs and snow, it looks like I'm gonna keep the Soob going for a while longer.

goatcheez

 

Guys its just tires. The HHR is by no means light-weight. With decent all-weather or snow tires it is as good as any other FWD car in snow. Actually one of the worst FWD cars in snow I have owned was my 2003 Accord... until I junked the OEM tires. Then it was great in the snow.

 

I hate driving my HHR through the winter not because of traction (which has not been a problem) but for all the salt and crap that gets on and in the car. I think the "winter-beater" car idea makes the most sense and I'm planning to get me one before the snow flies next year.