4th gen winter habbits?

[ITSSLOW]

Ok, I totalled out my WS6 2 months ago after driving it for 2 summers. My DD/winter ride is a 00 Grand Marquis. Well come spring I am giving my lil' bro my Grand Marquis and he's giving me the money from his totalled Cavalier ($8,900) (yes we have horrible luck on totalling cars) At that point I'm going to go pick up a super clean LT1 or a decent LS1 car. The problem falls that at that point I will have no DD/winter car. My question is....How does a 4th gen Fbody handle in the snow? Of course it would be a V6 3.4/3.8 car. Whats the biggest problem you guys have that year round your cars?

[meissen]

Honestly, they don't handle bad in the snow at all. I've driven my car in the snow every year except last year. And probably this year, just because it's wrecked already. Just put some weight in the rear, and if you have the money to do it (it's not much) use a good set of winter tires and have them cut. They put slices in the tire's tread that gives it more grip. From what I've heard, it really works good.

[ITSSLOW]

Yeah, I took the stock rims off my WS6 and was gonna use them as my summer tires on the V6 car and then use the stock V6 rims with some nice winter meats. Although, I'd see what rims come on my new V8 car in spring because I'll be putting TTII's on that anyways. Might be able to get some good money for stock 2001 WS6 rims......atleast some $$$ to put towards winter tires. Then use the rims from the stockers from the new V8 car for summer rims on the V6 car

[SS4Matt]

umm...i'm kinda not 100% sure what it is you're asking, how does a V6 or V8 car handle in the winter or just how does a 4th gen handle period?

anyways, before i bought my ranger this summer, i drove my SS through 2 winters. all i had was some BFG kDWS "high performance all season" tires. and to be honest i never once got stuck. and i live on a dirt road that doesn't get plowed. i actually never put weight in the back of my car either cause of my sub box back there....just drive within your limits and be careful. you can always feel if a car is "slipping" or not and just be careful. (my car doesn't have ASR/traction control either but i've found ASR makes it worse)

anyways, with some real snow tires on 16" rims i bet you would be just fine. only one time i felt uncomfortable to drive my car was when i went to class in the AM and when i came out around 12ish it had snowed like 8 inch's and was still storming, i made it home and just parked my car, called my boss and said if we actually have something you need me to do, you'll have to come pick me up in your truck (H2) but it was strait, that was my only time ever that i was "stuck" at home....

[ITSSLOW]

umm...i'm kinda not 100% sure what it is you're asking, how does a V6 or V8 car handle in the winter or just how does a 4th gen handle period?

anyways, before i bought my ranger this summer, i drove my SS through 2 winters. all i had was some BFG kDWS "high performance all season" tires. and to be honest i never once got stuck. and i live on a dirt road that doesn't get plowed. i actually never put weight in the back of my car either cause of my sub box back there....just drive within your limits and be careful. you can always feel if a car is "slipping" or not and just be careful. (my car doesn't have ASR/traction control either but i've found ASR makes it worse)

anyways, with some real snow tires on 16" rims i bet you would be just fine. only one time i felt uncomfortable to drive my car was when i went to class in the AM and when i came out around 12ish it had snowed like 8 inch's and was still storming, i made it home and just parked my car, called my boss and said if we actually have something you need me to do, you'll have to come pick me up in your truck (H2) but it was strait, that was my only time ever that i was "stuck" at home....

I'm saying a V6 car in the snow. A car is ment to be driven but I use the winter as my downtime to work on my toys. I really didnt think I'd have a problem considering my first 2 winters I was in a 2wd 4banger 5spd GMC Sonoma. I never used weight in the bed and only twice had a problem in it. If I pick up a V6 4th gen I'd definantly put on a nice set of All terrain tires on it

[SS4Matt]

so are you buying a V6 4th gen car or getting a nice LT1 or possibly another LS1 car??

[ITSSLOW]

so are you buying a V6 4th gen car or getting a nice LT1 or possibly another LS1 car??

I'm using the 8900 from my bro to get my new toy....Clean as fawk LT1 car or higher milage LS1 car

Come mid summer I'm gonna be looking for a DD/winter car so I was wondering how a V6 4th gen did in the winter.

[JoeliusZ28]

a v6 car with snow tires and no posi will handle like a dream in the snow. even a 5 speed one.

v8 posi on the other hand, not so much.

[FireBirdGirl02]

I have driven my Firebird in the snow since November of 01 When I got her brand new. And I dont have tracton control in the car all I have with me in the winter time is 100lbs. in weighrs. My car is not all that bad in the snow.

[ITSSLOW]

By the way all of you guys are all making it out to be driving a 'bird or RS will be easier then my 2wd sonoma I had. Which is sweet because I'd love to have an RS and Z28 in the same color/body style.

[loserdude86]

i drove an 02 firebird last winter. i never had a problem with it, but i had good tires on it.

[transampimp]

Will pretend this never happend....... Last year I drove the 97 T/A in the snow. I'd hate to say it but she actually drove like a tank. I was poor last year and couldnt afford a winter beater and had no time to work on the probe that I bought that broke down. I had about 200-300 pounds in the back, and I was running summer Kelly 245-50-ZR16 tires. They left a huge foot print in the snow. With a set of snow tires she would have handled alot better. I should have put the 180 degree stat in and pluged up the ram air vents to keep the motor warmer. Now completely forget about what I told you and don't ask any questions because I don't like to talk about it.

[ITSSLOW]

Once again I'm hearing more and more good stuff about a year round 4th gen. If it comes down to it besides T.A.P. who has had a V8 car in the winter? Because first and foremost is to get my new Z28/TA but I hope to pick up a cheap V6 Fbody next fall.

[SS4Matt]

like i said i drove my SS for 2 winters cause i was a broke ass 17 year old with a car payment and an empty bank account i made it through 2 winters with my 275-40-17 BFG kDWS all season, and that is certainly not the best tire to have either. when i was in HS, my buddy joe (who owned the black 96 Z from my avatar) and I both drove to school year round with our V8 f-bodies and never had any problems, be a careful driver, throw some decent snow tires with 16" rims on it, and throw a hundred pounds or so in the trunk and i bet you will be fine

[loserdude86]

i drove my z in the snow a couple times before i got a winter beater. i never had a problem with it, but good tires make a difference. but, i wouldnt worry about it being rear wheel drive in the snow... ive never had a fwd car that was a dd. i even had an 02 mustang in the snow and after i put new tires on it there wasnt a problem. just dont try to use crappy tires and youll be fine.