My experience has been that my '85 is terrible in snow.  Power seems to go
to the wheel that slips, not the wheel that grips!!  Actually, one night
while scanning boring web sites I came across the US trade commission site
and found many complaints filed against VW for "poor wet weather traction".
Anyway, a friend in Whitefish, MT.swears by her Vanagon - she puts four
studded snows on it though.  They say tires make the difference.
Mark

Patrick Hatcher wrote:

> TO: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
>
> Hello Vanagoneers,
>
> I'm selling one of my cars to pay for my recently acquired 85 Westy.  I
> live in Southwestern Virginia, and we get some decent snows in the
> Winter.
>
> I want to have at least one car that performs decently on snowy roads.
>  If the Westy does well, I'll sell my front wheel drive Olds Cutlass, if
> not, I'll sell my 86 Toyota Van (I love vans!).
>
> I can't wait until Winter hits to determine which car to sell, so if any
> of you can let me know how they perform in the Winter (with or without
> chains, snow tires, radials, etc.) I'd really appreciate it.
>
> Thanks.
>
>  -Patrick
>
> '85 Westy