It's a definate 50/50 car as it has along the rockers and fenders, but it should be way more fun than the automatic camry that I was planning on driving through the winter. I'm pretty excited.
It's a definate 50/50 car as it has along the rockers and fenders, but it should be way more fun than the automatic camry that I was planning on driving through the winter. I'm pretty excited.
The answer is always Miata!
Awesome!
I recently bought a Miata that is going to serve as my primary winter car. It came with a hardtop and a new set of snow tires - so we'll see how it goes. I've driven the Neon for the last five winters and it does pretty well in the snow, but I really want to try to keep it in the garage this year.
I've never actually driven a RWD car in the snow... this should be fun.
Wow, I love the choice. Being in Chicago, our Alfa GTV6 is not going to do it so I am getting a Saab 900/9-3. I wish my wife was not 6 feet tall so she could fit in a Miata.
I'm 6 feet tall and I fit in a Miata. I, too, will be driving one through this winter. With studded snows, a VLSD, and a clue I should be OK, unless it's deep snow, in which case I'll borrow my girlfriend's Highlander.
lol
Congrats.
I was THIS >< close to buying a miata for a winter beater. Found one in my beater price range.
Bought this instead: 
I tried justifying it because the jeep has less rust and already has good tires. I do live in real mountains..... . . 
I'm still regretting my decision a little. Hope it will get better the first time I need 4Low to get home.
I participated in a "driving in the snow" thread a while back, and I have a good bit of experience from Central New York winters. All that I can tell you is that you'll love it. Just buy really good skinny snow tires.
Wimps.
This is a real winter beater...
good snow tires make anything a great winter tool.
I've always wanted to raise one up a bit, add some aluminum skid plates and some tall narrow snow tires.
Last winter I had the greatest winter beater:
$600 for the truck, $550 for a new motor, $1200 in wheels and 31" snow tires, $80 remote start. Power everything, heated leather seating.
I've repeated this many times here. I ran a Miata through 3 Buffalo winters - with good snows you can run one through a snowbank with impunity.
maroon92 wrote: good snow tires make anything a great winter tool.
Truth. I had a lowered '97 SC2 on Dunlop snows that passed SUVs and trucks stuck in ditches during snowstorms.
I would love a winter beater that wasn't FWD though...I almost bought a Corolla 4Trac wagon a couple years back, that thing would've been a blast.
I drove a Miata through last winter and it was a blast. Good snow tires are a must as previously mentioned. Currently looking for a winter beater though for the really bad days (ie: deep snow). The Miata is too nice to be plowing through that hard icy build up that the plows leave. Plus it is now lowered an inch or so......so even less clearance!!
Awesome. My winter car is also a Miata.
My fall beater:
My winter beater:
My spring beater:
My summer beater:
Oh, yeah, I live in California... 
You are smart. We are not. Rub it in. Still love that Z car.
David S. Wallens wrote: Awesome. My winter car is also a Miata.
Thought you were gonna sneak that one by us, eh?
http://tinyurl.com/yf3ptc3
I'm only jealous `cuz I didn't think of it first. 
In reply to ww:
Nice Car. It do well in the snow? :)
It does in the San Francisco snow...
another vote for the miotter as a good winter car w/ snow tires. i just sold mine to someone looking for a winter car.
the hardtop will be a nice thing to have as well.
which reminds me...i should get shopping for winter shoes for the RX-8.
My miata was great last winter with some snow shoes, but I really wish it had a hardtop. One day i was driving into work watching ice fly off the roof of a lazy suv owner and realized how little I have protecting my noggin if it hit the roof.
Yavuz wrote: I've never actually driven a RWD car in the snow... this should be fun.
Easy peesy lemon squeezy. It's nothing at all. I had the great misfortune of having to drive my 1992 Mustang GT in an inch of snow once, but 300 ft-lbs of giddy-up is hard to control in the rain too. Get snowies and go have fun. (Do some doughnuts too!)
What is this stuff you call snow? Living in the Dallas area all we ever see is ice for about one night and then it is gone. lol
too bad the summers are 100 degrees and last for 10 months.
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