[Cacophony]

Are GTOs drivable in the winter? I have a LT1 T/A and it isn't happening. I was wondering any of you drive yours in the winter?

 

[Wing_Nut]

Are GTOs drivable in the winter? I have a LT1 T/A and it isn't happening. I was wondering any of you drive yours in the winter?

Absolutely! With a dedicated snow tire, it accelerates, brakes, and turns well on ice and snow. I have Bridgestone Blizzak WS50's (about $150 each) on mine for the winter and have no problems. That very controllable rear end slide of the GTO works just as well in the snow. The rear end will rotate when you want it to but stops as soon as you let off the throttle.

The only downside is the squishy rubber compound and Q speed rating (99MPH) of snow tires. It takes the handling to a new low.

 

[johnebgoode]

I'm so glad ya posted this cause I was going to start a new thread in regard to the GTO and winter driving:

1. The car sux in the snow

2. Control of vehicle is almost nill

3. On a very slight incline I was ay a stand still, couldnt move.

4. Snow tires my butt.......this has to be the worst vehicle I have ever driven in the snow. I'm driving 35 years.

5. This car is history, cause I'm going back into a truck ASAP.

6. Oh yeah, did I mention , the car sux in the snow.

7. Car is for sale as of now....!!

 

[johnebgoode]

Absolutely! With a dedicated snow tire, it accelerates, brakes, and turns well on ice and snow. I have Bridgestone Blizzak WS50's (about $150 each) on mine for the winter and have no problems. That very controllable rear end slide of the GTO works just as well in the snow. The rear end will rotate when you want it to but stops as soon as you let off the throttle.

The only downside is the squishy rubber compound and Q speed rating (99MPH) of snow tires. It takes the handling to a new low.

NOT..........!!!

 

[noz34me]

I'm wondering if people haven't gotten used to front wheel/all wheel drive and going back to rear wheel drive is a little traumatic in the snow.

When I started driving, there were no front wheel drive cars. You drove rear wheel drive, summer and winter, or you didn't drive.

I drove Chevelles, Road Runners, etc. in the winter. Did they slide? Yes. Did the rear end break loose if you weren't careful? Yes. Could you still get from point a to point b? Yes. You just drove like you knew the roads were slick, and slowed down, braked easy, etc.

Cracks me up these folks wth 4WD that get out every snow, and tear around like crazy people. In my area, there's usually more 4WD vehicles in the ditch after a snow than cars.

The other thing to remember; it doesn't matter if you're FWD, RWD or 4WD, when it comes to stopping, there's no advantage to any of them.

I personally don't plan on driving the goat in the snow, but if it's your daily driver, just take it easy, (maybe add some weight in the trunk), and go where you need to.

 

[johnebgoode]

The other thing to remember; it doesn't matter if you're FWD, RWD or 4WD, and go where you need to.

I'm going right to a GMC dealer tomorrow to get a new Yukon. As far as a stopping advantage, I disagree. I was in an '04 Subn. prior to the Goat and the stopping capacity was night and day compared to the GTO. Hands down it stopped at least 65% better.
Also I dont like being incapacitated because of the weather.
I am a volunteer fireman for 35 yrs and I need to be able to get to headqtrs. in a reasonable amount of time when I am alerted. If all of us in the FD were in RWD vehicles the public would be in deep cah cah.
I'm sure I'm going to get flamed for my remarks, but there is no way anyone is going to tell me otherwise as I am learning first hand what this car can and cannot do in the snow. We just got 13" of the white stuff, and its been a horror....!!!

 

[GTO_400]

Mine also stays garaged in bad weather RAIN or SNOW! And I'd never driven in the snow but I hit that friggin' guard rail in that rain storm last fall. Ever sience then she stays parked in bad weather. I'll drive my 'ol $2000 Explorer but here in WV you have to have a 4X4 weather is so unpredictable. I would definitely not wanna drive the GTO on slick roads that 395ft/lb torque will get ya in trouble, maybe not in a M6 in a high gear but I wouldn't try it anyway! your best bet would be find ya a cheap 'ol beater just my 2cts

 

[Wing_Nut]

I'm so glad ya posted this cause I was going to start a new thread in regard to the GTO and winter driving:

1. The car sux in the snow

2. Control of vehicle is almost nill

3. On a very slight incline I was ay a stand still, couldnt move.

4. Snow tires my butt.......this has to be the worst vehicle I have ever driven in the snow. I'm driving 35 years.

5. This car is history, cause I'm going back into a truck ASAP.

6. Oh yeah, did I mention , the car sux in the snow.

7. Car is for sale as of now....!!

Dang...you'd think you would have learned some skills in 35 years. Or, maybe they're fading!

Now be truthful, are you trying to drive a high powered rear wheel drive car in winter on high performance summer tires? If so, then you're not too bright.

Until you've tried a set of Blizzaks or equivalent snow tires on all four wheels, you don't know what you're talking about. But feel free to spend your money any way you wish.

I had a front wheel drive Volvo turbo before the GTO that was "the worst car I'd ever driven in the snow" until I replaced the Michelin MXM Pilot 45 series summer rubber with a set of Blizzaks for winter driving.

As for a Yukon, I also own a 2002 Yukon Denali. It also has a set of Blizzaks on a second set of factory wheels. It does just fine accelerating but it will not out brake or out turn the GTO in the snow. And the Denali doesn't give much feedback to the driver. It's a boat. It won't respond to throttle steer very well at all let alone the comfortable manner in which the GTO responds. I feel no need to take the Denali when it's snowing. None!

Sorry you can't drive.

Oh yeah, and if you think the mighty invincible 4 wheel drive will compensate for poor judgement or lack of skills or bald tires, well....you have lots of company. I see them in ditches every winter.:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

 

[cat1055man]

Are GTOs drivable in the winter? I have a LT1 T/A and it isn't happening. I was wondering any of you drive yours in the winter?

I do not plan to drive mine in the snow, but Can tell you my experiance w/ the stock tires in my driveway that has a very slight slope..VERY LOW traction. Maybe snow tires would help but I try and use a front drive car if it snows. Also worry about other drivers sliding into my GTO. :cheers

 

[SilverGoat]

Lots of us use the GTO as a daily driver. This is my second winter. First snow storm last year and I was convinced of the need for snows. Went around a corner about 15 MPH in 6" of snow and fishtailed back and forth about 4-5 times. Put some Blizzaks on it and the driving is night and day. I've driven both front and rear wheel drive and just prefer the rear wheel as it is just more intuitive to correct when it starts ot slip. This car is very controllable in the snow with the right tire. My last car was AWD and the only thing better about that car was the ability to 4 wheel drift for as long as I kept the revs up. Freaked people out to watch me coming down the street sideways.
We've had an exceptionally mild winter here, but when it has snowed, most of the vehicles in the ditch are the 4x4's. My wife's Suburban is 2WD and that never fails to get us around.
Zero traction x 4WD = zero traction.
No condemnation for what people feel they need to drive, but I love this car in the winter.
Q-rated tires are a bit restrictive, but I figure that since its winter, I really shouldn't go any faster than that as I never know when it could be icy and just maybe the lower speed would allow me to keep from dying in the accident.
Get the car if you don't have it, you'll never regret it winter or summer.

 

[johnebgoode]

Dang...you'd think you would have learned some skills in 35 years. Or, maybe they're fading!

Now be truthful, are you trying to drive a high powered rear wheel drive car in winter on high performance summer tires? If so, then you're not too bright.

Until you've tried a set of Blizzaks or equivalent snow tires on all four wheels, you don't know what you're talking about. But feel free to spend your money any way you wish.

I had a front wheel drive Volvo turbo before the GTO that was "the worst car I'd ever driven in the snow" until I replaced the Michelin MXM Pilot 45 series summer rubber with a set of Blizzaks for winter driving.

As for a Yukon, I also own a 2002 Yukon Denali. It also has a set of Blizzaks on a second set of factory wheels. It does just fine accelerating but it will not out brake or out turn the GTO in the snow. And the Denali doesn't give much feedback to the driver. It's a boat. It won't respond to throttle steer very well at all let alone the comfortable manner in which the GTO responds. I feel no need to take the Denali when it's snowing. None!

Sorry you can't drive.

Oh yeah, and if you think the mighty invincible 4 wheel drive will compensate for poor judgement or lack of skills or bald tires, well....you have lots of company. I see them in ditches every winter.:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Now there's an intelligent remark from someone that obviously doesnt have any driving skills. If you're gonna sit there and p!ss in my face and tell me it's raining, then you're talkin to the wrong guy. To say that a Denali is going to be out performed in the snow, as you stated, by a GTO then you're obviously smokin your socks. If you read my original post I just came out of a GM SUV 4x4. It would run circles around the GTO and anyone that beleives your fairytale is on the same cloud as you are.
In regard to me not being too bright.......well, "dang", I guess I'm just not as good a BS'er as you are, because I speak from experience. The knowledge I have accumulated throught the years on what a vehicle can and cannot do, you probably haven't even learned yet. Bottom line is the car is not worthy of driving in the snow safely, and there is no substance for a discussion regarding this issue. Snow tires or not, the car sux in the snow!!!
Are you really concerned about the money I spend , or is it that I have it to spend....:cool

 

[Juniorss]

It would run circles around the GTO and anyone that beleives your fairytale is on the same cloud as you are.

I dunno, I think the GTO does better donuts :lol: Why dont you keep the GTO and get a truck.

 

[MeanGoat]

My goat drives awesome in the winter. :lol:

The temps get all the down below 50 sometimes and the humidity drops to less than 50%. The goat breathes much easier than in the sauna summer and you can feel the power difference.

It was in the 40's today and I was fu-reeezing. I almost had to forego the car wash for the week. But I bundled up with a sweater and a knit cap and took care of the baby anyway.

Don't think it should rain anytime soon......

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[The_Goat]

I have mixed feelings... I think it kinda depends on the type of snow you get. We've had snows where I might as well been on ice and snows where traction wasn't too bad. I have the original tires on the beast. I went to see what a set of Blizzaks cost and was quoted 1400.00 by two tire stores. For that I'll by an old 4x4. WTH are they thinking... 1400 ?!?!!

 

[Wing_Nut]

I have mixed feelings... I think it kinda depends on the type of snow you get. We've had snows where I might as well been on ice and snows where traction wasn't too bad. I have the original tires on the beast. I went to see what a set of Blizzaks cost and was quoted 1400.00 by two tire stores. For that I'll by an old 4x4. WTH are they thinking... 1400 ?!?!!

Check Tire Rack. WS50 Blizzak's are about $150 each in size 245/45 17.
With a set of cheap aftermarket wheels, you can get up to $1,200.

Even the set that I bought for the Denali were only about $700 total and they're huge compared to the little donuts on the GTO.

 

[Wing_Nut]

Now there's an intelligent remark from someone that obviously doesnt have any driving skills. If you're gonna sit there and p!ss in my face and tell me it's raining, then you're talkin to the wrong guy. To say that a Denali is going to be out performed in the snow, as you stated, by a GTO then you're obviously smokin your socks. If you read my original post I just came out of a GM SUV 4x4. It would run circles around the GTO and anyone that beleives your fairytale is on the same cloud as you are.
In regard to me not being too bright.......well, "dang", I guess I'm just not as good a BS'er as you are, because I speak from experience. The knowledge I have accumulated throught the years on what a vehicle can and cannot do, you probably haven't even learned yet. Bottom line is the car is not worthy of driving in the snow safely, and there is no substance for a discussion regarding this issue. Snow tires or not, the car sux in the snow!!!
Are you really concerned about the money I spend , or is it that I have it to spend....:cool

OK so you're another internet forum rich guy with scads of dollars to blow. Next you'll be bragging on your income or your house.
So shut up and go guy a Yukon. It's a great truck! No complaints over 55,000 miles.
And why would I envy you Einstein? I already own one!

By the way, what I said was that the GTO would out handle and out brake the Denali in snow. And it does. The ONLY advantage the truck has is hard acceleration. A Yukon weighs 2,000 Lbs more than a GTO. Simple physics genius. When changing direction or braking, your invincible 4WD offers no benefit and the much higher inertia your truck generates means that much more force that the tires must deal with. Fact.

By the way moneybags, you never answered the question.
Were you out trying to navigate 13" of snow with the stock tires?
I thought so!
Happy rollover!

 

[johnebgoode]

OK so you're another internet forum rich guy with scads of dollars to blow. Next you'll be bragging on your income or your house.
So shut up and go guy a Yukon. It's a great truck! No complaints over 55,000 miles.
And why would I envy you Einstein? I already own one!

By the way, what I said was that the GTO would out handle and out brake the Denali in snow. And it does. The ONLY advantage the truck has is hard acceleration. A Yukon weighs 2,000 Lbs more than a GTO. Simple physics genius. When changing direction or braking, your invincible 4WD offers no benefit and the much higher inertia your truck generates means that much more force that the tires must deal with. Fact.

By the way moneybags, you never answered the question.
Were you out trying to navigate 13" of snow with the stock tires?
I thought so!
Happy rollover!

PM sent...........

 

[GM Kid]

Are GTOs drivable in the winter? I have a LT1 T/A and it isn't happening. I was wondering any of you drive yours in the winter?

Absolutely, I drive my GTO in the winter! Sunny and 78 today here in AZ.

 

[noz34me]

I think a few of us just need to calm down. I don't think anyone meant to be personal about their comments.

Talk to any tire dealer. "All Season" tires are a misnomer. All they keep you from getting is a ticket if you get stuck in snow, or have a wreck. (You may still be charged, but not for the tires) The fact is that anything over 1" of snow on all season tires is too much.

It seems to me that it would be cheaper to invest in snow tires and even another set of wheels than to buy a SUV. That said, snow tires on a GTO is not going to take it anywhere close to where an AWD or 4WD vehicle can go. If your range of necessary travel requires a 4WD in the winter, then I think you should buy the nicest one you can afford, and be happy.

I think the starting topic of this thread is exactly why I got such a good deal on my car. I'm in VA; bought the car from a NY dealership.

 

[the3car]

ok the q rating had me worried, checked my m3's, rated v. don't have to keep it below 100. whew.