Z is my daily driver... in a few months we will have winter and probably some snow down here in chicago. This winter will be the first one for my Z. I am debating between getting new winter tires or just getting some beater car.

The tires would cost me around $500; or I can get a "rusted" 92 corolla for $300. Basically I can sell my stock 17" and for the money get this corolla

The total insurance payment will go down - having 2 cars on my name (corolla - daily, Z- leisure).

What do you think? Is it a good idea to get some winter car or should I be OK with some blizaks?

 

Get both.. Tires for the Z and use the Z on the winter weekends or when you have a hott date. And use the Corolla to save on insurance... =]

 

Or move to where there isn't snow like I did. Used to live in Chicago-- Don't miss the winters for nothin

 

Beater:



or the corolla .......

 

beater.... for daily driving in the long run u way better off and a corolla will last u forever with little or no maintainence. plus gas milage is better on the beater. i was recently thining the same thing- a corolla as a beater

 

Depends on how much you like/love your Z. I use a beater myself and store the Z from Nov to March. Snow tires for the Corolla is very inexpensive.

 

It depends...

The roads are usually cleared fairly well in Chicago, at least on the major highways. I chose to alternate two sets of wheels. I bought some wide performance wheels/tires for spring, summer, fall and some BLIZZAKS for winter on my stock 17s. I chose to drive one car year round, because I just love driving the Z. I don't need to be more depressed during the Chicago winter months because I'm driving a beater around. But that's just me I also like the feeling that I'm getting a new car every March, when I throw the performance wheels on!

If you don't feel comfortable driving the Z through SNOW and ICE, get the beater. But driven sensibly, the BLIZZAKS are wonderful through out these treacherous months.

Zquicksilver

 

Beater! I have an old car i use for that, if they use salt on the roads where you are, spare the Z the exposure for potential rust in the future. I'm not worried about the handling or anything of the Z in the winter, i've seen what 15 years of winters have done to my winter car and it aint pretty.

 

That picture of the Z in the snow brings back nightmares! ugh!

 

I'm in the same delema whether to get snow tires or a beater. I figure since ill have to get new winter tires/wheels its going to be over 1000 anyway so im leaning towards a beater. Thing im nervous about is that this 1-2k beater will make it through the winter alright without me having to put any money into it. I live in a wicked lake-effect snow belt and the winters are pretty brutal here sometimes.

 

Beater don't kill your Z with awful winter weather its not right lol

 

i am going to go against the grain on this one and say keep the Z for the daily driver in the winter. get some good snow tires like blizzacks and dont look back. we got nailed here in dayton last year with snow 2 seperate times over 14 inches each and my Z was easily the best car on the road with the snow tires.

in my opinion why buy a beater car that runs the risk of maybe not starting up or even the heater not working, and if thats the case, then you are stuck dead cause the Z with oem tires in chicago winter=not going anywhere.

stay with the Z, enjoy a car you know that will start everytime and have a nice enough interior to relax in should you happen to get stuck in traffic which in chicago is inevitable.

 

I'm in NY. I actually have a 95 Corolla as a beater. Insurance is 25 bucks a month extra for the Corolla. Over 30 miles per gallon and I don't give a F$ck what happens to it. I havn't even cleaned it in 2 years!!

Beaters rule!