I just have to say, I prefer driving Totoro, our 84 GL, over our 99 CRV in
the snow and ice.  The van is SOOOO predictable.  I know exactly what it
will and will not do on the iciest, nastiest roads in Bend, Oregon.  In the
last couple days it's been way better, but the last couple weeks have been
pretty bad.  The Vanagon is a tank through it all.  I did get a free set of
4 studded Hankooks with only a season on them just before thanksgiving.
These help, though I could do without the studs most of the time, the snow
tread and compound of the tire is wonderful.  Getting going, with the rear
wheel drive and all, can be a bit hard sometimes but handling and stopping
are great.  How much would I disrupt the balance of things if I loaded up a
couple hundred pounds over the drive wheels for better off the line
traction?  Besides the obvious slowing effect.

Brendan
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons. -T.S. Eliot