Quick question
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Launching!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 223
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From: Northern NJ
Quick question I'm looking into getting a 00-02 Z but since i live in northern NJ, and this will be my daily driver. I have to deal with rain and snow. I was planning on getting a nice set of winter tires. But i wanted to know that since i'll be dealing with these conditions if an A4 or M6 would be better suited. I want the M6 but if it comes to not being dead in the winter i will get the A4. So what i'm asking is what is better?
Either way your not going anywhere in the snow. I live in CT, we've had about 5 or 6 pretty big storms this past year...i bought my 99 SS last september, tried to make it through the first winter w/ it, deffinatly didnt work. This past winter i ended up finding a cheap 4x4 to use through the winter. I would find a beater if i were you. Good Luck!
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 115
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From: Long Island, NY
Umm, yeah. These cars suck in the snow. I don't know if it would matter if it was A4 or M6, but I like having the M6 because you can select the gear.
Last night in NY/NJ/CT we had a bit of snow, and I left work and hopped on I-95 from Stamford, CT. There's a long inclined entrance ramp to get on, and everyone was crawling. Well, I made a right onto the entrance ramp, and proceded to climb the ramp at a 45* angle at 5mph. The tail just kept swinging out to the left. So I'm facing right, with the wheels cut all the way to the left. Tried with the traction control on and off. Neither worked. And yes, I know how to drive..lol. Needless to say, it was pretty rough. The people behind me were probably thinking 'What is this jackass trying to do?'
Good thing is we only get a few days a year like that...so I can deal with it.
Last night in NY/NJ/CT we had a bit of snow, and I left work and hopped on I-95 from Stamford, CT. There's a long inclined entrance ramp to get on, and everyone was crawling. Well, I made a right onto the entrance ramp, and proceded to climb the ramp at a 45* angle at 5mph. The tail just kept swinging out to the left. So I'm facing right, with the wheels cut all the way to the left. Tried with the traction control on and off. Neither worked. And yes, I know how to drive..lol. Needless to say, it was pretty rough. The people behind me were probably thinking 'What is this jackass trying to do?'
Good thing is we only get a few days a year like that...so I can deal with it.
TECH Addict
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,335
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From: Michigan
I drive the F-Body in all weather in Michigan. If you have the 17 inch rims you will be hard pressed to find a winter tire.
IMO get BF Goodrich KDW for warm weather 275/40 17 and for winter (I got some firebird 16x8) get Blizzaks. Although with my 99' Firebird I had a modest all weather tire (Cooper Cobra) and drove it the last three winters with no spin outs or other.
I know allot of guys in my area store their F-Bodies in the winter (probably to keep them salt free).
Also, regarding the BFG KDW, it snowed yesterday and since I sold my 99 Bird I had to drive the WS6 and those tires have lost all traction in cold weather and snow and ice is very difficult. The tires can make a huge difference in different temperatures and conditions.
Note: I did learned to drive in the winter in a 1970 Grand Prix with a 455 and balding street tires so these F-Bodies are not much different than the 97 Ford Ranger I owned.
IMO get BF Goodrich KDW for warm weather 275/40 17 and for winter (I got some firebird 16x8) get Blizzaks. Although with my 99' Firebird I had a modest all weather tire (Cooper Cobra) and drove it the last three winters with no spin outs or other.
I know allot of guys in my area store their F-Bodies in the winter (probably to keep them salt free).
Also, regarding the BFG KDW, it snowed yesterday and since I sold my 99 Bird I had to drive the WS6 and those tires have lost all traction in cold weather and snow and ice is very difficult. The tires can make a huge difference in different temperatures and conditions.
Note: I did learned to drive in the winter in a 1970 Grand Prix with a 455 and balding street tires so these F-Bodies are not much different than the 97 Ford Ranger I owned.
Last edited by ActionJack; Mar 17, 2004 at 12:42 PM.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
My f-body cars have all been autos, but I have driven GTOs and other manual trans cars in snow and prefer them. You just have more options for control with the clutch and using the braking effect of the tranny.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,829
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From: Central Indiana Honors: 4th grade spelling bee contestant
Mine's an auto, and I've just about wrapped up my sixth Winter with it. I haven't missed a day of work due to weather even though I have a 38 mile commute. I don't use snow tires either. I've only been stuck twice, and that was because of ice. Once because the sun came out and melted the snow I was parked on enough that the car was stuck. I don't know too many street-worthy vehicles of any type that do well on ice.
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Joined: Feb 2004
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If you have a garage, your best bet is to find a winter beater and keep the Camaro in the garage all winter. A LOT of the guys on this forum do that, and it perserves your car. If you don't have a garage, buying a beater wouldn't help because your f-body will still be out in the elements...and if its gonna be out in the elements you mine as well be driving it. A4 or M6 won't matter b/c snow is snow and poor conditions are poor conditions. Buy the M6 though for when it warms up. Ten times more fun.
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Originally Posted by Guy2626c
i do not have a garage, and i can't afford 2 cars insurance. so a M6 it will be. Thanks guys.
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
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From: Eastern MA
I dont know which would be better for the winter, but I have an A4. I drive my car all year 'round, winter and all. I have a set of Blizzak WS-50 tires on some cheap 16" steel wheels that I got mounted/balanced/shipped from TireRack for under $600. If you cant afford two cars and dont have a garage (like me), then just invest in some good winter tires. After one winter's experince, you'll have no trouble driving an F-body in just about any weather conditions. My car with winter tires handles better in the snow that family sedans with all-season tires. The tires make all the difference. Of course the lower ground clearance is a hinderance, but its not that big an issue.
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