Today's snow-filled adventures (for the morning crowd)

"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
02/11/2019 at 15:20 • Filed to: Hydro thunder!

With the new Maxxtrax, rescued a Forester that had high-centered itself on a curb. Did some tandem drifting with a random Gt-r. Went legit offroading for the first time in an old 4runner (spoiler: not for me). And... Slides. So many slides.

All this practice has really been paying off. I’m feeling a lot more comfortable threading the needle through tight spots, and even high speed entry has been relatively calm. Beginning of the day I raced my buddy on some forest service roads. He had taken multiple full-day rally courses recently, and he couldn’t believe that he couldn’t catch up, despite having the Sti. (it’s because he was pussyfooting around corners, whereas I was sending it at 11/10). I think the next step for me... Is more power. Mastering left foot braking miiiiight be helpful, but I feel like it takes away too much of my momentum for it to ever make since in the Miata.

Here’s a car full of dudes I found in a parking lot. Many doriftos were to be found. Take notes, CoFL! Now if only it was RWD...

And later that night, I got a call from a friend asking me if I wanted to go offroading. I said yes because of course, but I didn’t realize he wanted to drive through a mountain pass at night in the middle of a snowstorm with heavy winds. It was the most terrifying time I’ve had behind a wheel....

Anyways, once we got on Highway 2 headed to Skykomish, I just assumed I was going to die and decided to go out having fun. It’s not every day your friend tosses you the keys to his modified 4runner. And yes, he has 2 4runners. One for each of us!

Here’s the drive

60mph highway and I could barely see 5 ft ahead. No bueno. Definitely never doing this again at night. Well... At least not without a crazy light setup

4low and diff lock. Before today, those words meant nothing to me

Brothers. Both auto V6's, with small lifts

I was kinda freaking out by the time we got to the actual trail. The drive back home on the highway through heavy snow worried me quite a bit. I’ll admit I wanted to turn back, and said as much. But for better or worse my friend talked me into spending half an hour wheeling on the side of a mountain. I gotta hand it to the Toyota’s, they sure are capable.

That said.... I no longer want a 4Runner. They’re just not for me. And they’re made for very tiny people. At 6" 200lb I’m not exactly a monster, but my head is firmly pressed against the top, my shoulders are hitting the fully-extended headrest, and the headrest itself is more of a “neck rest”. Honestly the entire drivers area is just super claustrophobic, and that’s coming from a harnessed in Miata owner. You’re so close to the door that your left arms has no space, and has to be kept tucked into your body. It sucked. Maybe I was just grumpy thinking about the impending drive back... Idk. The offroading part was kind of boring. I’m firmly in the rally school of though when it comes to traversing tricky terrain.

Heading back we stopped at a grocery store and did some 4wd donuts. As we left, I whipped out the camera because I had a funny feeling my friend was going to try something.

Rewarded! He lost control and *lightly tapped* a curb.

We made it back, I grabbed my Miata and on the way home rescued not one, but TWO cars. Those recovery boards are the shit.

I’m going to be sad when the snow is gone.

{update) just looked outside. Easily got another 4 inches of snow. Yeeeeeeees

DISCUSSION (36)

Future Heap Owner > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 02:51

Man I really wish I could have been out playing in snow all weekend. Unfortunately it disappeared as quickly as it came down here. I’m glad you made full use of what you have up there.

Do you think you’ll try to get more power? If so, in the Miata, or will you start taking the Volvo out to rally?

AestheticsInMotion > Future Heap Owner
02/11/2019 at 02:59

I wish you could have as well! Anything in the forecast for the next few days down there?

I love the Volvo s, but even if they were RWD they still wouldn’t hold a candle to the Miata in terms of go-kart like handling and flickability. No, the roadster is definitely going to get a power bump. At some point...

CB > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 03:50

In regards to blowing snow, more lights is definitely not the solution. I usually find it makes things worse.

Tristan > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 04:23

I wish we could have gotten some of that snow this weekend... My Jeep is sad!

random001 > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 06:23

At 6'4", I guess I can knock whatever generation 4Runner that is off th e list...

diplodicus forgot his password > CB
02/11/2019 at 08:10

Yup just shines it right back in your face.

TorqueToYield > CB
02/11/2019 at 09:22

Fog Lights are worth their weight in gold.

High beams do nothing or actively make it worse.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > random001
02/11/2019 at 09:45

I’m 6-4 and have never had problems in 4-runners. Yet I can not fit into a miata. It must be torso height vs leg length thing. I have longer legs.

Nothing > random001
02/11/2019 at 10:30

6’4” as well, longer torso. I fit in a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th gen with no issues at all.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 10:41

The non-sunroof 4Runners have a little bit more room. I’m going to assume both of those are Limiteds based on the other options. That’s why I have an SR5

random001 > Nothing
02/11/2019 at 10:44

weird.....

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 11:56

So much fun had! Awesome! Random question: I heard something about LEDs that made sense, but was wondering your experiences. As we know, LED s don’t generate any heat and most of the time this would be a good thing, but in icy conditions this could pose a problem. Have you had any issues with them?

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 12:36

Damnit Seattle! Stop hogging all the snow for yourself! Portland wants some too!

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 12:37

Any snow that was in the forecast has turned to rain

AestheticsInMotion > AMGtech - now with more recalls!
02/11/2019 at 15:20

Well come on over!

AestheticsInMotion > CB
02/11/2019 at 15:22

I've found it depends on where the lights are relative to you, and how they're aimed. At the very least some better headlights would have helped. Did a comparison with the 4Runners and my Miata. The LED's on the Miata blew the old halogens out of the water

AestheticsInMotion > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
02/11/2019 at 15:23

Yep. Looks like they take up about 2.5" of headroom, so that's definitely a part of it. I'm still undecided if I like sunroof or not....

AestheticsInMotion > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
02/11/2019 at 15:24

Hmm. I have long legs too. I should add that my head also hits the roof of a Miata, even with the significantly lower racing seat.

AestheticsInMotion > mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/
02/11/2019 at 15:25

Hasn't been an issue for me! Maybe the engine radiates enough heat to keep the lights from frosting over... Idk.

For Sweden > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 15:28

I drove in the mountains this weekend, and had to put chains on my FWD S80.

I’m now browsing for all wheel drive cars.

AestheticsInMotion > For Sweden
02/11/2019 at 15:32

That sounds unpleasant. I bought chains when I drove up the Westside in my new V70, but luckily didn’t need to use them.

Here, for you

Kinja'd!!!

For Sweden > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 15:38

eeeee

vicali > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 15:42

Dual 4Runners sounds awesome.. Looks like fun.

I find white LEDs pretty tiring on your eyes, everything is so bright you end up squinting the whole time. Amber is nice.

Snow is always super fun, until it isn’t.

NKato > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 15:45

Sing it with me: Welcome to the Snow, Welcome to the Snow, Welcome to the Psycho Circus. :v

NKato > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 15:48

My amber fog lamps work decently, they are a planar projection setup so it illuminates the road perfectly without lighting up the snow in my field of vision. Only gripe is that they’re a bit brighter than my low beams.

You want to make sure your fog lights have a narrow vertical band of light. It's why mine are road legal even when it's not foggy - they won't blind oncoming.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 15:54

I realized late Saturday that I should've come up to Seattle for the weekend. I would have, had I known our weather people were all lying just to disappoint me.

Textured Soy Protein > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 15:57

The 3rd gen 4Runner is very narrow. You and I have similar builds (you’re more jacked than me but similar size/ shape) and I was similarly squeezed into the one I owned for a few days . Also, M/T tires are kinda ass in the snow.

The 4th gen is wider but you sit way down on the floor and look up out over the dash. Back seat passengers ride with their knees in their faces.

The 5th gen finally came up with a reasonable seating position but the step-in height is ridiculous and Toyota cheaped out making the center differential for full-time 4wd only available on the Limited.

mXxxxXm24 /O/ /O/ > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 16:17

Haha I was thinking that actually. Glad it doesn’t cause you any issues!

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 16:25

I’ve been having a ton of fun with my A6 in the snow in empty parking lots and deserted roads, but it seems, you sir, have been having even more fun with the snow! Hell yeah!

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 16:30

A friend of mine has a boooring White 07 Corolla that be bought for a song and now he’s thinking about buying something cooler, funner and manual.

I’m trying very hard to get him to buy an Xdrive e90 like mine so we can take twin cars on adventures

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 16:32

Fantastic. I’d love to see the face of someone getting rescued in the snow from a Miata. An exquisite blend of gratitude and shame, I’d guess.

My wife had me drive her to work in Tacoma today. It's still snowing, so the drive home could be interesting. It's interesting to put the winter driving skills towards safety instead of just shenanigans.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 16:35

I have a 38" inseam. My legs are a tall drink of water.

Decay buys too many beaters > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 16:52

dammit.

I want to do snow roadster things.

AestheticsInMotion > Decay buys too many beaters
02/11/2019 at 17:37

I want you to do snow roadster things as well :/

Oh yand if y ou’re still interested in a top gear-esque roadtrip with cheap vehicle purchases we should do some preliminary planning sometime!

Decay buys too many beaters > AestheticsInMotion
02/11/2019 at 18:02

I even bought my first set of snow tires and everything, I was ready to OWN this storm :/

Still down to set something up for the summer, sitting on a lot of PTO that still needs to burn at work.

Speaking of road trips, any interest in hitting M iatas at L aguna this year? Last year at laguna seca, plus 30 year anniversary. I’m definitely going, and I’ve got a group of about 7 heading down from P ortland. Probably do HW1 all the way down.

MM54 > AestheticsInMotion
02/16/2019 at 13:37

The sunroof in the 3rd gen takes out a ton of headroom