I am contemplating buying an '86 trans am but I would need to drive it during the winter. I know it's probably a bad idea, but is it a totally ridiculous idea? Mind, by winter I do mean snow and ice and the like.
2007-12-12 08:19:58 · 12 answers · asked by calculusheyhey 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Pontiac
It really depends. How well can you drive? I mean on a cleared paved road it isn't too bad but you'll really learn how to drive if you have to go down dirt roads. I drove my cousin's 82' Trans Am last winter for a few weeks and I have to go down a couple dirt roads to get to the shop I work at. It wasn't as horrible as most people say but I had to go real slow around corners or the car would start drifting. All in all it isn't a totally horrible idea just don't be surprised when it gets a little loose in some corners.
2007-12-12 13:17:35 · answer #1 · answered by Johnny B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Trust me you do not want to drive a trans am in the winter unless you have to. Even with sandbags or some other kind of weight in the back you will have a hard time. They are low to the ground and rear wheel drive and an 86 would not have traction control or ABS so it would be even worse. I would advise against it if you can, however they are nice cars in the good weather!
2007-12-12 08:26:13 · answer #2 · answered by ydenali99 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ha! NEVER drive a Trans Am or Firebird in the winter! They're sports cars, not meant for snow or ice. Keep the T/A as your summer toy but buy something else to drive during the winter months. Best wishes!!!
2007-12-12 13:25:30 · answer #3 · answered by FirebirdMan54321 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This car can do much better than most any truck if properly prepared. 1'st up is tire choice-a good size to begin with is 235r15's that are steel studded for ice-on the rear axle. 2'nd is air-shocks on the rear to allow you to load the trunk with at least 200 lbs of dead weight. 3rd is a well tuned brake system with even distribution. Last-but not least, is a new appreciation for the height of your front end. If you can re-adjust to this more balanced -'tread lightly'approache in motoring then you will be much more successsfull wherever you travel. Remember that winter driving is dedication to safety for all on the road.Be aware of your substantial presense here and the ramifications of your actions.
2007-12-13 06:33:39 · answer #4 · answered by racer123 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not a good idea, too much power and not enough weight for any kind of traction in the snow and especially on any kind of ice.
Get a 4x4 instead, like one of the other members mentioned.
Seriously, most of the guys and gals on the f-body forums and lists park they're Camaros and Firebirds in the winter until spring. Not to mention the sand and salt will eat the undercarriage(and other body parts) up.
Good luck!
2007-12-13 09:16:29 · answer #5 · answered by Don B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of our research associates is a Trans Am expert. He has owned several. His advice is: You’re talking about a high-horsepower, rear-wheel drive car that probably doesn’t have traction control. Granted, an ’86 Trans Am isn’t super powerful, but any rear-wheel drive car is going to be a challenge to drive in winter conditions, even a 2008 BMW 7 Series with all the traction/stability aids known to man. Bottom line: bad idea if you intend to drive in winter conditions. That car is best suited to dry roads. For more information about driving in winter conditons, in addition to new and used-car reviews, photos, blogs and quality ratings as well as blogs about fast cars, please visit JDPower.com.
2007-12-12 08:50:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Two words, simply aweful.
Reason is that its a rear wheel drive car. The RWD cars made today are not superb in handling in snow or sleet but they have support of new and advance technology like ABS, Stability control, Skid Control and/or Traction control, in 80's only premium brands had ABS as an option and i know for fact that Trans Am was never a premium brand. I will say, if you want to buy that car, keep it for clear day driving, its a great car for straight line driving but not meant for bad weather. Trust me its more fun to drive a front wheel POS than driving a muscle car in bad weather.
2007-12-12 08:31:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I drive a Firebird and I live in northeastern United States, so we get some bad winters, but as long as you have a good set of tires (I recommend BF Goodrich G-Force KDW's) and avoid driving in obnoxious conditions like a blizzard you should be fine. I've only ever gotten stuck once, and that was on a hill I should have known better to try.
2007-12-14 06:06:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Had a brand new 86 trans-am (performance suspension - big *ss tires etc. Never was good in snow and ice.
2007-12-12 08:28:01 · answer #9 · answered by whymewhynow 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on your driving skill...
it will be more of a challenge, but i've done it, and it can be done, even on bad days when you see idiots in 4x4 SUV's and trucks in ditches...
i PREFER the rear wheel drive aspect in winter (ever wonder why police cars are RWD?) add some weight, get narrower tires 70 series or higher... and good luck...
mr raja doesn't know his *ss from a hole in the ground, "muscle" cars are even better, the best winter car i've ever owned was a 1967 pontiac tempest/gto, insane traction, awesome heater, enough weight to keep it going in any direction you wanted to go, and a long wheel base to keep from spinning out...
2007-12-12 08:26:05 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋