My first car vaguely resembled this. We didn't have digital cameras back then.



It was all silver with a painted top (not vinyl like in this pic), no white wall tires, and a 7' cb antenna in the trunk.

I got it with just shy of 100K miles. Replaced the alternator, starter, water pump, radiator, belts, hoses, front end suspension parts, tires and other parts after hours at the high school auto shop (do they even offer these classes any more??). A friend rebuilt the carb and top end. Put another 100K on it before I sold it.

My folks figured I'd be safe[r] driving around a big tank like that. It was only in one crash the entire time I had it. Some guy not paying attention rear ended me at a light.

 

No it doesn't have to come off at all in either case, but the mufflers have to be hanging in order to get the swaybar in there lol

 

Just finished shopping for some tires. Decided to go with the BFGoodrich G-Force Comp-2 All Season for my new wheels. Wheels, tires and TPMS should be here later this week. I'm so excited!

 

Should be a nice combo, look forward to your new install.

 

why not summer compound tires?

speaking of summer tires....ordered a set of 245/40/19 and 275/35/19 Pilot Super Sports

 

I live in North Carolina and all it does is rain. My friends over here who run summer tires hate their lives.

Also, my sister wants to get me a belated Christmas present, ~$75. I'm thinking GTR start button, what about you guys?

 

Most of the higher rated summer tires are also excellent in rain, unless it's very cold at the same time.

 

That's exactly how the weather is for me from Mid-October until March. Cold and wet.

 

I run summer tires year round in North Carolina

As long as the temperature is above freezing, summer tires > All seasons, wet or dry.

 

Meh, I think I can live without them for now.

 

That's what people say about dishwashers... until they get one.

I wasn't going to say anything until Brad and Lego did, but seriously, ZahyMatar, you don't know what you're missing. The only worthy thing that all-season tires get you is better grip on snow and ice, and even that is pretty lame traction compared to actual snow tires. If you don't live in a climate where it snows or gets below freezing often enough to matter, then you're intentionally dumbing down your ride.

However, if you do have 3-season performance tires and find yourself on a wet road that's starting to freeze over... uh-oh. I'm sure Lego has some stories.

 

No stories

The reality is that Charlotte is so unprepared to deal with snow accumulation that you're screwed regardless of all season or summer tires.

I've been driving year round on summer tires for 6 years....you just give up so much capability with all seasons.

 

That's over $1100 at Tire Rack. Still, money well spent, IMO.

If you modify the suspension and chassis bracing of your car, and enjoy what that means when driving it, then you absolutely have to have 3-season performance tires. The compromise of using AS tires is simply untenable.

 

I really do appreciate your input, but in the position I am right now, I just spent $2,100 on wheels and tires (may not be much to you) and I really can't see myself spending anymore than that. My original limit was ~$1500. I understand that AS tires don't compare to summer tires but I still think it will be a better ride than the tires that came with my car.

On another note, do you think I should just get the OEM midnight grille or do something with my current one?

 

I know

The Potenza S04 at $900ish was compelling, but the better wear characteristics of the PSS helped me justify them.

Oh no, I totally understand. I too just dropped $2100 on coupe wheels and PSS. I've wanted to do this for years and have been saving my "allowance" for months. I'm hoping I can flip my duckfeet for a few hundred to recoup the cost of the 19"s.