Snow Driving in Massachusetts

[l008com]

I got my Camaro at the end of last January. I then went away for 3 weeks. And when I got back, there was no significant snow before spring. So I have no idea what my car is like in the snow. I know that both of my RX-8s could NOT be driving in the snow with their factory tires. They were summer only tires, and you'd just sit there and spin even on level ground. But once I put my Blizzaks on there, it became the best snow car I've ever driven, better than awd's. So how are camaro's in the snow? Mine's a 2SS with 19"s. The tread doesn't look as "summer-only". Plus this car is heavier, so it might be better in the snow. But at the same time, this is my daily driver. I'm not going to leave it in the driveway if the weather looks a little too rough. If I'm leaving the house, it's going to be in my camaro.

If you live in the Boston suburbs, I specifically want to hear from you!

[67 Convertible]

If you 19's on the car they're not the "summer" Pirelli tires. You probably have all season radials (should say that on the sidewall) and should be OK for the winter.

I have an RS with the summer only tires and it too is my DD. Although it's not recommended, I drove on the summer tires all last winter with no issues at all. If the roads were clear, I drove my camaro. If snow was predicted, I drove my truck.

I have over 17,000 miles on it now and waiting for the summer tires to wear out so I can put some all season radials on.

Why does it say you have a 2LT and you picture an LT in your sig, but in your post you say you have a 2SS?? (just curious)

[Slowhawk]

I would just be safe and get snow tires in the rear.

My car is parked for snow,thats for the truck.

[efpardo]

Snow tires are a great idea. I got a set of 4 19" Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow last year. It made a world of difference.

[hoffmk2003]

get 4 snow tires if you want to turn.

[2010CamaroRS]

get a beater....much better money spent on a 1000 dollar 4 or all wheel drive vehicle than snow tires for ur sports car....your thin camaro paint and undercarriage parts will thank you

[hoffmk2003]

Originally Posted by 2010CamaroRS

get a beater....much better money spent on a 1000 dollar 4 or all wheel drive vehicle than snow tires for ur sports car....your thin camaro paint and undercarriage parts will thank you

Amen!

[1998 Brickyard]

I bought a set of take-offs from an LS; 18" Heritage steel wheels.
I drove it all winter through snow and ice.
No problems at all; never spun out or lost control.
If I wanted to have some fun, I had to turn off the traction control.
I have the 20"s for summer; they felt like squares when the weather was cold.
I will probably be putting the 18s back on in a few more weekends.

[SRM]

snow/ice tires on all 4 corners. Had my Camaro since Dec of last year, no problems. Before that, drove my 2000 Z28 for almost 7 years, daily driven with snow/ice tires for winter.

Trust me, the traction is unbelievable. The blizzaks on my Z28 were "just as good" as my 2 AWD subaru's with all season tires.

[l008com]

i had blizzaks on an RX8, i know how great they are. But do you really need them on the camaro, with the tires it comes with? But you can get those scorpion tires on tirerack for less than $700 for a set, which is a good deal. And hopefully, with all the sidewall these giant tires have, I won't have to pay as much to get them mounted.

[JMM1181]

I have a set of blizzaks waiting in the basement to be put on my 350z which will be driven through the winter, with the right tires you will be fine. You may want to head up to BJ's in Nashua, NH and see what they have on sale (I realize you have one in Stoneham/Woburn but you'll end up paying $100 in taxes). I picked up some Michelin all seasons that did just fine last winter. The good new is that being in Stoneham, you're right next to both 93 & 95 so that most of the major roadways will be relatively cleared for you. You'll really just have to watch for ice and avoid hills with red lights.

For some people, buying and insuring a winter beater can get too costly. My loan requires that I maintain comprehensive insurance at all times on my car, so I wasn't going to entertain paying for full insurance for two cars (beater and Z) and invested instead in some Blizzaks.

[l008com]

Yeah buying a winter car is a dumb idea for a whole bunch of reasons. I don't know what BJ's prices are, but I betcha tirerack is cheaper. Plus no sales tax with them either, and I think the shipping is free. Thats what I did with my RX8, then I just head over to Wakefield Tire to get em mounted and unmounted every season.

[v6sonoma]

Originally Posted by JMM1181

I have a set of blizzaks waiting in the basement to be put on my 350z which will be driven through the winter, with the right tires you will be fine. You may want to head up to BJ's in Nashua, NH and see what they have on sale (I realize you have one in Stoneham/Woburn but you'll end up paying $100 in taxes). I picked up some Michelin all seasons that did just fine last winter. The good new is that being in Stoneham, you're right next to both 93 & 95 so that most of the major roadways will be relatively cleared for you. You'll really just have to watch for ice and avoid hills with red lights.

For some people, buying and insuring a winter beater can get too costly. My loan requires that I maintain comprehensive insurance at all times on my car, so I wasn't going to entertain paying for full insurance for two cars (beater and Z) and invested instead in some Blizzaks.

Just an FYI you don't need full coverage on both cars just the camaro. In fact if you get a beater you might lower your payments as the camaro can be listed as a "part time" or "weekend" car and they will lower the rate since it's driven less. (even if it's not, but with a winter car it still kinda gets less mileage)

As for tires. Most have no problems with good winter rubber. Anyone with factory RS summer tires will need to change. They suck when it gets cold out. Let alone in the snow!

[SRM]

I run scorpion winter tires on my stock wheels. Not as good as the blizzaks on my 2000 z28, but they work fine.

[hoffmk2003]

I have always had a spare car, my sports cars are never daily drivers. Rain, salt road grime all that wreak havock on your car. You will notice a major difference in you "new" car after one hard winter, it will look weathered in some places.

For me it is luxury to have 2 cars and not all can afford. But I'll tell you this winter I'm changing from Mass Registration to NYS in the spring (have a house out there). In the meantime the camaro will be unregistered for the winter and have only liability and comprehensive insurance on it. Same thing with my motorcycle, taking it off the road for winter and not paying insurance on it period.

Get a good quality beater like any old GM (buick centry, grand prix, grand am,etc) most engines/trans are bullet proof so even if someone didn't care for it well it will still run longer than most other cars. I have a saying that most GMs will run shitty longer than most imports run period

Ken

[PAUL SS]

Why do you need liability insurance on an unregistered car that wont be driven? When my Camaro gets put away after this weekend the insurance for the next 5 months will be about $100.00 for comprehensive only. Collision and liability insurance are not needed when the car is parked.

[Slowhawk]

Originally Posted by PAUL SS

Why do you need liability insurance on an unregistered car that wont be driven? When my Camaro gets put away after this weekend the insurance for the next 5 months will be about $100.00 for comprehensive only. Collision and liability insurance are not needed when the car is parked.

I'd leave full coverage. Ya,I left minimum but my car is wrecked and insurance won't pay for it. Well,atleast I saved $400..LOL

I had a bike stolen with minimum insurance during the winter. Lesson learned.

I've always had 2+ cars. Makes it enjoyable driving a sports car every once in awhile.

[v6sonoma]

Originally Posted by hoffmk2003

I have a saying that most GMs will run shitty longer than most imports run period

Ken

LOL Too true.

To those considering yanking insurance remember the story of the guy who's father moved the car to a garage for him just after he pulled the insurance and slid on the ice into a tree. Make sure it's someplace safe before pulling any insurance and make sure to put it back on before even thinking of moving it. Also my insurance is set up for the fact that it's a secondary car so it really doesn't cost much to just leave it alone all year long. So you might want to look into that too.

[2010CamaroRS]

remember if you are financing...you need full coverage regardless of driving or not

[hoffmk2003]

Originally Posted by 2010CamaroRS

remember if you are financing...you need full coverage regardless of driving or not

No you don't. At least not with USAA. I can drop parts of my insurance if it is off the road and unregistered.

And as far as my bike getting stolen, its locked in a garage where you would have to steal my camaro to get it out or a mercedes.

Just do whatever is best for you. I don't need the risk of someone hitting my camaro in the winter...

[Slowhawk]

Originally Posted by hoffmk2003

No you don't. At least not with USAA. I can drop parts of my insurance if it is off the road and unregistered.

And as far as my bike getting stolen, its locked in a garage where you would have to steal my camaro to get it out or a mercedes.

Just do whatever is best for you. I don't need the risk of someone hitting my camaro in the winter...

My bike got stolen by someone that actually jacked up a truck (against the garage door)to move it back enough for the garage(locked) door could be opened to roll the bike out. All done while we were sleeping.

As said- to save a few bucks- not worth it.

[l008com]

Yeah you know what got stolen from me once.... my thread about driving in the snow in massachusetts

[hoffmk2003]

Originally Posted by l008com

Yeah you know what got stolen from me once.... my thread about driving in the snow in massachusetts

HAHAH your right! Back on topic!

[efpardo]

If I could have my way, and the luxury, I'd just have a Summer and a winter Camaro.

[v6sonoma]

Originally Posted by l008com

Yeah you know what got stolen from me once.... my thread about driving in the snow in massachusetts

I like him. lol