need some advice / help / thoughts - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

JGS · 09-09-2013, 06:50 PM

So I've had my Camaro SS for 1 year and 7 months, got it brand new. As of today it has 43500 kms (27,187 miles). I live in Calgary, Alberta , Canada.
My profile: I am a young university student (23 yrs old). I put myself through university, worked all summer, and i have a part time job over the winter and go to school full time, is my last year. Therefore, my finances are sensitive, however, I wisely plan ahead and I am always on budget in order to avoid huge debt. My only debt is my camaro. I Managed to worked and saved for 3 summers and sold my old car to give a reasonable down payment so I could fit camaro payments into my budget and then in a few years it'll be paid off.

My issue: WINTER AND SNOW. I absolutely love my car. Its a big pride for me since its like a trophie for all those extra hours and hard work earned. However I also enjoy it to the max ! Last winter, I decided not to drive the car. I got a 2000 dodge ram as a beater for $2000, threw in a set of winter tires, and then i was set to go. However, on days that roads were snow free, I drove the SS. In below 0 degress (32 F) weather it handles well with the P-Zero's (with no snow) , BUT you have to be very cautious. So basically I drove it almost year round except for the following days after a snowfall. We only had like 3 or 4 heavy snowfalls over the winter here in Calgary. Around late January, the beater started to break down until finally I couldnt afford to get it back on the road, transmission blew down, fan broke down, heater stop working, joints breaking down....so many things were braking little by little. So I got rid of it. I can take transit to go to school, but to go to work I need a car since it is in a close community near the city without transit access. ( I work in a ranch). I've been looking for beaters but It seems I would have to spend at least $2000 in a reliable beater plus tires plus any untold issue with it plus extra insurance costs plus any mechanical issue that might show up down the road.
I've been looking at winter tires for the camaro, and most affordable would be from tirerack webpage at around 2200 with tires and rims and shipping included. Then I would be driving my car in the winter, which has warranty and I know its reliable. I would do my best not to drive it in the snow. The thought of driving my ss in the winter does not appeals to me but I think it would be the most affordable and reliable option at this moment for my current financial situation. When I got the car I got the full protection package, which is Undercarriage protection, 3 M to full front including bumper and half hood and side mirrors, and side fins covered in 3M film as well, krone rust inhibitor, paint protection, leather seats treatment, and extended warranty to 6 years or 140000 kms.
I've seen people in calgary driving their camaros, even convertible camaros in the winter around, also i've seen some porsches and bentleys as well, so I thiough, if they do it, maybe I can do it too ? ! So my question is, if you guys can share any experiences, thoughts, advises , comments about driving your camaro in the winter, what would you do if you where in my position ? I just want to explore all options that I could have before making any choice, and also affordable ones. Thanks for your input !!

Scalded Dog · 09-09-2013, 08:15 PM

Depends on your skills. I live in alpine mountains, and we get a lot of snow each winter... and there are few pleasures greater than driving around in it. Every second is a blast. I clean the car, I take car of it... lest anybody think that this ol' rig of mine must be beat all to hell, it's a 2011 with 54,000 miles on it. Looks brand- spankin' new, inside and out, hasn't had a single problem yet. Nothing.

Some will say it's impossible to drive in the snow... some will say it's the most fun you can legally have. I fall into the latter category of course... and while much may have to do with tires (I run the BFG stockers), much of it is also competence, experience, and ability.

It CAN be done. Enjoy.

09-09-2013, 06:50 PM	#1
JGS Drives: 2015 2SS LS3 NPP/1LE/ Red Hot Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Calgary, Canada Posts: 119 View My Garage	need some advice / help / thoughts So I've had my Camaro SS for 1 year and 7 months, got it brand new. As of today it has 43500 kms (27,187 miles). I live in Calgary, Alberta , Canada. My profile: I am a young university student (23 yrs old). I put myself through university, worked all summer, and i have a part time job over the winter and go to school full time, is my last year. Therefore, my finances are sensitive, however, I wisely plan ahead and I am always on budget in order to avoid huge debt. My only debt is my camaro. I Managed to worked and saved for 3 summers and sold my old car to give a reasonable down payment so I could fit camaro payments into my budget and then in a few years it'll be paid off. My issue: WINTER AND SNOW. I absolutely love my car. Its a big pride for me since its like a trophie for all those extra hours and hard work earned. However I also enjoy it to the max ! Last winter, I decided not to drive the car. I got a 2000 dodge ram as a beater for $2000, threw in a set of winter tires, and then i was set to go. However, on days that roads were snow free, I drove the SS. In below 0 degress (32 F) weather it handles well with the P-Zero's (with no snow) , BUT you have to be very cautious. So basically I drove it almost year round except for the following days after a snowfall. We only had like 3 or 4 heavy snowfalls over the winter here in Calgary. Around late January, the beater started to break down until finally I couldnt afford to get it back on the road, transmission blew down, fan broke down, heater stop working, joints breaking down....so many things were braking little by little. So I got rid of it. I can take transit to go to school, but to go to work I need a car since it is in a close community near the city without transit access. ( I work in a ranch). I've been looking for beaters but It seems I would have to spend at least $2000 in a reliable beater plus tires plus any untold issue with it plus extra insurance costs plus any mechanical issue that might show up down the road. I've been looking at winter tires for the camaro, and most affordable would be from tirerack webpage at around 2200 with tires and rims and shipping included. Then I would be driving my car in the winter, which has warranty and I know its reliable. I would do my best not to drive it in the snow. The thought of driving my ss in the winter does not appeals to me but I think it would be the most affordable and reliable option at this moment for my current financial situation. When I got the car I got the full protection package, which is Undercarriage protection, 3 M to full front including bumper and half hood and side mirrors, and side fins covered in 3M film as well, krone rust inhibitor, paint protection, leather seats treatment, and extended warranty to 6 years or 140000 kms. I've seen people in calgary driving their camaros, even convertible camaros in the winter around, also i've seen some porsches and bentleys as well, so I thiough, if they do it, maybe I can do it too ? ! So my question is, if you guys can share any experiences, thoughts, advises , comments about driving your camaro in the winter, what would you do if you where in my position ? I just want to explore all options that I could have before making any choice, and also affordable ones. Thanks for your input !!

09-09-2013, 08:15 PM	#2
Scalded Dog Drives: 2011 1LT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Crestline, CA Posts: 3,029	Depends on your skills. I live in alpine mountains, and we get a lot of snow each winter... and there are few pleasures greater than driving around in it. Every second is a blast. I clean the car, I take car of it... lest anybody think that this ol' rig of mine must be beat all to hell, it's a 2011 with 54,000 miles on it. Looks brand- spankin' new, inside and out, hasn't had a single problem yet. Nothing. Some will say it's impossible to drive in the snow... some will say it's the most fun you can legally have. I fall into the latter category of course... and while much may have to do with tires (I run the BFG stockers), much of it is also competence, experience, and ability. It CAN be done. Enjoy.