To Winterize or not to winterize....

[aghuman]

I started a thread with the same dilemma a few weeks back. I also live in Southern Ontario and drive quite a bit but based on what I have learned so far I plan on "winterizing" and driving through winter. This car was made to be driven, other owners will have their own viewpoints but that's just mine. When I first got the car I avoided rain and anything that would get the car dirty but realized I was sad when I didn't drive it. I bought mine to drive it, which is what I plan on doing

[tiz22]

i've heard of people disabling the window feature (window goes down a couple inches when you open door) because of the potential of the window freezing

Anyone with experience with this? Good idea or bad idea? I haven't really heard anything negative about it but I wanted to make sure before I go tampering with it

[frs10]

i keep hearing great things about the blizzaks

ws60 or ws70? i guess the 70 is just the new 60?

prob gonna run 16s too

[tiz22]

Originally Posted by frs10

i keep hearing great things about the blizzaks

ws60 or ws70? i guess the 70 is just the new 60?

prob gonna run 16s too

Yeah 70 is what I keep hearing...That's most likely what I will go with on my stock 16s

When the snow melts...New 17 inch tires and rims

[frs10]

Originally Posted by tiz22

Yeah 70 is what I keep hearing...That's most likely what I will go with on my stock 16s

When the snow melts...New 17 inch tires and rims

my thoughts exactly!!

[Jertronic]

I just made arrangements to drive my father's '02 Tundra for the "snow" months. I have a garage. As long as my wife tolerates the FR-S sitting idle in the garage while her car braves the elements it's a win. I doubt this will pan out exactly as I envision. But, either way the FR-S won't be subjected to salt/sand/ice brutality during snow periods.

I will still drive the FR-S, with OEM all seasons, when conditions are dry and clear during winter.

[tiz22]

Figured I should resolve this thread with my experience...

WINTERIZE!

I'm really happy with the decision I made to keep it as my DD throughout the winter...I understand that some people won't want "their baby" to touch salt or snow - but I urge you to re-consider.

This car really thrives in the snow...You thought it was tail-happy in the rain? Try it with snow tires after a fresh powder drop and you won't be disappointed. I almost looked forward to a big dump of snow just so I could take it out for a guilt-free joyride (I say guilt free because far less wear on the tires when it's snowy) I honestly had troubles getting it to spin out with the traction control on, but with sport mode on it let me do my thing. Speaking off sport mode...

I never fully understood why there was a VSC/Traction Control but when you see it in action on some ice or snow...DAMN. I can whip the steering wheel around (which would result in a crash in my old Mazda3) but as soon as the tail gets loose, you hear the nannies kick in and it snaps you right back in line. Throw it the other way? Snaps you back. It was honestly an eye-opener for me as I've never seen these systems work so perfectly together.

In a 5+ month (still not over) winter here in Ontario, Canada - I got stuck once. So did the 4x4 pickup truck next door....If the snow is so deep I can't clear it with my hood...I'm expecting to get stuck. All other snow falls, I was powering through it. Passing F150s on the highway in a tiny RWD coupe is a pretty good feeling.

Yes my car did get absolutely raped with salt on certain weeks (my Raven could have passed for a Whiteout at times) but with weekly washes costing ~$5-6 it wasn't an issue. I neglected to get coated this year as I figured the factory rust proof should be good for at least 1 season. Will be getting it done next year though. Regardless, my car still looks mint when it's fully detailed so no harm done.

So like I said - no regrets here. Can't even imagine how unhappy I would have been buying a shitty beater (+ snow tires + repairs?) all while my new FRS sat in the garage and my bank account kept the monthly payments going. Paying for something I couldn't use just didn't sound right to me.

Hope this helps a few of you on the fence for next winter!

[Demandred7]

I took the leap of faith two winters ago. The only thing that sucks is the amount of rust on my exhaust. Oh well, now I will have an excuse to replace it with something better; although, just surface rust for now. Every other aspect, I wouldn't miss for the world.

[tiz22]

Originally Posted by Demandred7

I took the leap of faith two winters ago. The only thing that sucks is the amount of rust on my exhaust. Oh well, now I will have an excuse to replace it with something better; although, just surface rust for now. Every other aspect, I wouldn't miss for the world.

Did you get underbody coating?


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[Jertronic]

I looked underneath yesterday, tr rear, and exhaust pipe immediately before the mufflers is corroded big time. I've noticed many many posts in this so I know it's not unusual. But, does this happen on other cars and other makes/models?


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[Demandred7]

Originally Posted by tiz22

Did you get underbody coating?


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I never have on any of the cars that I have owned.

[Masago88]

Interesting responses, alternative question-

As somebody who already owns their winter beater (98 camry, family heirloom), would you guys still recommend keeping it and insuring it? The FRS/BRZ would be my DD during the calmer months and I would only drive the Camry during the winter (lets hope this year was an anomaly). I wouldn't be able to get very much out of it, and the utility option alone I think would pay for itself. Can I just insure the car during the winter or do I need to pay for both year round?

[powerj2]

As long as your not going out in storms the car isn't that bad in snow. That being said my car is pretty useless right now as we just got 50 cm of snow. Yay spring!

[tiz22]

Originally Posted by Masago88

Interesting responses, alternative question-

As somebody who already owns their winter beater (98 camry, family heirloom), would you guys still recommend keeping it and insuring it? The FRS/BRZ would be my DD during the calmer months and I would only drive the Camry during the winter (lets hope this year was an anomaly). I wouldn't be able to get very much out of it, and the utility option alone I think would pay for itself. Can I just insure the car during the winter or do I need to pay for both year round?

I'm pretty sure you have to keep the FRS on your insurance even throughout the winter but because you're not driving it the rates go down to like under $30 a month...

The point of my post was money aside - putting this car away for the winter really means you're missing out on a whole different level this car has to offer...I think best case I would use a beater for the daily commutes where salt is everywhere but still have my FRS for a once-a-week commute or for a weekend snow drift or something...best of both worlds...You're not getting your "baby" all salted but you still get to enjoy it in the snow

Either way if I had to choose between using a beater and letting a bit of salt on the paint vs. keeping it a garage queen and only driving it 5-6 months out of the year....no brainer I'm driving it through the winter...I bought this car to drive it