Looking for advice, as soon as this car is done, I head off to college. I am going for Police Science (Associates), a two year degree, and it will either be in Des Moines, Iowa (used to live there), or Wausau, Wisconsin. Both have pretty nasty winters, sometimes we get several feet at one time, as you all know... I need to know how my future DD will handle it.

We are getting ready to put in the new floorpans, and I will be doing a lot of extra things to make this car almost "rust proof". Bedliner, Rustoleum Stop Rust (many coats)... list goes on...

This car will need to see two more winters. It's a 1991 Z28 hardtop... will be a WC-T5 with G92 rear end, for cost effective reasons, I went with 1.75" drop springs... so the car sits low. What can I do to survive the heavy snowfall around here? How will the car be?

 

You and your car are going to be screwed big time this winter. Back in '87,'88, the state patrol had some z28's for patrol cars, and i also had a "Z" back then, They had a hell of a time in winter, I had an old impala that i drove in the winter. My suggestion to you is to find a $500 winter beater for the winter and park your '91. Why subject it to salt and no traction and a possible wreck. I know times are tuff, but with a little frugality you can save some coins for a beater with just liability on it. Almost rustproof won't stop salt and slush.

 

I used to do it with my 89 Iroc at stock height and it totally sucked, 6+ inches of snow and it was pretty useless. I ended up getting a 2wd toyota pick up for $150 with alot of sand bags and it was a night and day difference on mobility.

 

Mines never seen snow.

 

You're screwed... Although I can't see you actually having class with that kind of snow on the ground, unless they just don't cancel class at all.

 

I just saw a 4x4 truck around here for $500

 

Good tires, sand bags in the back, snow shovel, a saftey kit with blanket and flashlight, i recommend chaings, and a bag of de-icer salt. along with everyone else I recommend buying a 4x4 beater or a lil front wheel drive cavalier or somehting along those lines. After putting all the work into your car do you really wanna risk wrecking it. My car is my DD along with my motorcycle, but ive learned when ur in college u really dont need a car to get around

 

It can be done, get a set of studded snow tires, I drove in Watertown NY for two winters with my 86 Camaro on studded snow tires without a problem.

 

Ive heard that the studded snow tires aren't good for your rearend. I wouldnt know from expirience but Ive talked to a mechanic that has run em on trucks and thats just what he told me.

 

I am gonna have to agree with everyone else on here. You are in need of a winter beater.

 

We can't buy or use studded tires in Wisconsin!

 

its no worse than an 2wd s10 heck might be better but its a close call, i had a formula in HS and even through tech school. I would drive to chicago and back everyday too.. several times I was in conditions where they closed the interstate it was so bad out.
if you cant drive a stock f-body in the winter then your an idiot and shouldn't drive any car in the winter.. is it the best for traction no! but your not plowing the road , driving through the woods to go hunting or towing.

grow a set! everyone now days acts like with out fwd or 4wd your not leaving the house WTF???? how did people manage years ago?

dropping your ride height will make it worse. just wait til your done driving it in the winter then drop it and do it right. LCA relocation, drop spindles

 

just twenty or so years ago if the roads got bad you stayed home till the roads got cleared dumb a**! I know because I have been plowing for over twentyfive years.

 

no you didnt and ya I know because I was there so your the dumb *** go away

 

You know these post's are opinion oriented, everyone has one, so there's no reason for name calling. The op wanted to know thoughts about driving in winter with a third gen, If someone has had experience in driving a small light car with a respectable size engine and fat tires in the winter with no problems, good for you, but why take a chance on loosing your car over a few months of crappy roads. It doesn't even have to be your fault in a wreck, someone spins out in front of you and your car is toast. Just something to think about?