I might be re-locating to Illinois
02-28-2004, 11:22 AM
#11
I have a 2002 Full Size Chevy for a winter (everyday) car. It works great.
As long as the tires are up to the task on your Explorer (sorry, couldn't resist an opertunity to throw a dig at Ford.) then it will be just fine. They are USUALLY very good about the roads here. Freezing rain or horrible, horrible snow storms are really the only times I have seen the roads actually freeze over.
Let us know what area you are staying in. We can plan some kind of meet and you can ask us all kinds of questions in person. We'll use any excuse for a meet.
As long as the tires are up to the task on your Explorer (sorry, couldn't resist an opertunity to throw a dig at Ford.) then it will be just fine. They are USUALLY very good about the roads here. Freezing rain or horrible, horrible snow storms are really the only times I have seen the roads actually freeze over.
Let us know what area you are staying in. We can plan some kind of meet and you can ask us all kinds of questions in person. We'll use any excuse for a meet.
03-01-2004, 07:22 AM
#17
Moderator
Road Rash,
As far as winter driving concerns, don't worry about it. Of my 29 years on Chicago turf, they've been doing road clearing for all 29 years. They've got much more experience, equipment, resources, and actually budget for clearing roads than any other city in the U.S.
The city governments in IL are very active...now if you go out to Wisconsin or Indiana, they tend to clear roads only after the snow has stopped falling. Illinois is very efficient in getting its roads cleared.
I drive my S2000 year round if that gives you any indication of how well IL does with this.
As for driving in the weather, just take it easy. You and the wife will get used to the weather soon enough; in fact, I've seen very recently that we only really get three or four days of heavy snowfall. Those days serve as reminders to all IL drivers on how to act. You'll be fine.
As for getting a pick-up, my opinion is to stick with the Exploder. The pickup is much lighter in the rear end and would tend to swing out on you if you're not used to slippery conditions on a rear wheel drive automobile....oh wait, you're an S2000 owner as well.
Let us know when you make it down here, we'll try to get some people to show you around and keep you company while you're away from family.
Just remember that people from Chicago (and the burbs) are known to make city to be known as the 'city of big shoulders'. We are all friends and friendly.
As far as winter driving concerns, don't worry about it. Of my 29 years on Chicago turf, they've been doing road clearing for all 29 years. They've got much more experience, equipment, resources, and actually budget for clearing roads than any other city in the U.S.
The city governments in IL are very active...now if you go out to Wisconsin or Indiana, they tend to clear roads only after the snow has stopped falling. Illinois is very efficient in getting its roads cleared.
I drive my S2000 year round if that gives you any indication of how well IL does with this.
As for driving in the weather, just take it easy. You and the wife will get used to the weather soon enough; in fact, I've seen very recently that we only really get three or four days of heavy snowfall. Those days serve as reminders to all IL drivers on how to act. You'll be fine.
As for getting a pick-up, my opinion is to stick with the Exploder. The pickup is much lighter in the rear end and would tend to swing out on you if you're not used to slippery conditions on a rear wheel drive automobile....oh wait, you're an S2000 owner as well.
Let us know when you make it down here, we'll try to get some people to show you around and keep you company while you're away from family.
Just remember that people from Chicago (and the burbs) are known to make city to be known as the 'city of big shoulders'. We are all friends and friendly.
03-01-2004, 10:20 AM
#18
Registered User
Luder out by Dekalb you can forget about clearing, Mchenry county and upwards of that area are horrible, snow drifts suck and icing is bad.
You'll be lucky if the roads are clear 2 days after a snow fall up there. I hate it.
You'll be lucky if the roads are clear 2 days after a snow fall up there. I hate it.
03-01-2004, 10:30 AM
#19
Moderator
Where I live, I happen to live in Kane Co., but border McHenry. The roads right off the Randall Rd. corridor are taken care of nicely.
Prior to Algonquin, I lived in Schaumburg and travelled frequently out to Naperville/Oak Brook area for client work. The roads there were taken care of even better!!
What county is Woodstock in?
Prior to Algonquin, I lived in Schaumburg and travelled frequently out to Naperville/Oak Brook area for client work. The roads there were taken care of even better!!
What county is Woodstock in?
03-01-2004, 07:13 PM
#20
Woodstock is in Mchenry, and I travel to the Roundlake, Grayslake area often, which is up there. The roads there are also very well taken care of. I used to live in Woodstock believe it or not, but i was far too young to know what the road conditions were.