Just wondering how many CDN G37 owners drive their G's in winter or drive a winter beater? Ottawa had a record snowfall last winter and the City is notorious for over salting the streets...

Personally, I'm toying with the idea of a winter beater vs. winter tires. Here is my Beater vs. Tires list...

PRO Winter Beater:
- Keeps the kms off my G37
- G37 doesn't have to see salt
- Don't have to spend $10 a car wash every snowfall (or more)
- Rear wheel drive without weight in the back isn't conducive to slippery roads
- Better re-sale value for G if/when I go to sell

PRO Winter Tires:
- I get to drive my dream car every day
- Added insurance due to 2nd vehicle

Would anyone care to share their winter beater of choice? (ie. Subaru AWD)

 

I drive mine in the winter. It is a nice car but not nice enough to put up in the winter. I won't take it out in 3 ft of snw or anything but it is quite capable in the snow.

 

the roads here are cleared fast and when it isn't, there's probably a reason, like a storm where no one is going anywhere.

 

I drive mine in the winter... it hurts to see her get dirty but you'll get over it.

 

The rock picks are what kill me but hey this ain't no lambo drive the car it is meant to be driven.

 

i will be driving mine in the winter as well

 

Yep, have to agree with the people that are driving theirs in the winter, I drove mine through last winter and the car is definitely capable, just take it nice and easy like you would with any other car and you'll be fine. That whole argument about RWD and slippery roads is out of date. With the amount of electro-nannies in modern RWD cars it's actually quite tough to get in trouble. Compared to my old G35C this car is a much better car in the winter. Hate to say it but it's probably due to the increase in weight, that extra 200 pounds really helps keep traction on the tires.

Rock chips are the worst though, but like Shumby said, this isn't a lambo.

 

okay, rock chips i worry the least, the salt rocks are a pain and random garbage on the highways are annoying, ripped up tires all over the place from 18-wheelers.

it's a known fact that Quebec uses the most salt on the roads, which results in pavement cracking and breaking. then pieces of the road can hit you, and pot holes are a night mare. I dodge the big pot holes and end up hitting other pot holes.

 

OK I am going to go take some rock pic pics it really sucks but oh well I still look cool driving all winter.

 

Yeah see here in Alberta we use mostly gravel than salt. So it's the rock chips that are the worst, but I guess that beats having pieces of road hitting your car.

 

pieces of road is scary and pot holes from hell are even worse, the loud bang leaves ppl nervous. it's very common for cars to break suspension parts in the spring time.

but i think salt is still worse because some of it melts and gets thrown on the cars, which leads to faster rusting.

 

So does anyone put extra weight in the trunk in the winter? Like bags of sand or maybe a 50lb. barbell in the spare tire area...? Or not needed? Further to that - does anyone use those rust inhibitors - or not worth it?

 

chemical rust proofing really does work. it's good if u wanna keep the car for a long time. I got a car from my dad, he rust proof since he bought the car in 89 and it's still here today.

 

Yes, I have heard the conventional chemical spray-on rust (underneath the car) is good - but I was actually wondering if anyone had any experience with the electronic ones that deliver a high-frequency charge to the metal framework all over the car.. or is it a bunch of hogwash...?

 

^^^ I believe that's electrons, not high-frequency. But it doesn't work on a car... read this.