Is it worth getting a car in the winter?

Off-topic posts, quotes of the day and anything else you just would like to vent to the world. PG-13 or below PLEASE!
Redline280
Junior Standardshifter
Posts: 26
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:23 pm

Is it worth getting a car in the winter?

Post by Redline280 »

I have a 1997 Ford Escort with 160,000 and the car is really beat up and has a decent amount of problems. I drive about 60 miles to school and back everyday on the highway and am looking for a more reliable car like a 2001 Honda Civic. Is it worth getting a new car right now or is it risky during the winter time and having the chance of crashing it.? Or, would it be better to get a car that can handle the winter weather better? Thanks in advance.
Prodigal Son
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 3079
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:20 pm
Cars: 2006 Jetta, 2004 Miata
Location: Ottawa

Post by Prodigal Son »

If you are a good defensive driver, you won't crash your car in the winter. On the other hand, if your current car is giving you problems, it is going to give you more problems in the winter. If you do buy another car, make sure it has ABS, and preferably traction control as well. And put good winter tires on it.
Just some guy on the Internet. Heed with care.
Redline280
Junior Standardshifter
Posts: 26
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:23 pm

Post by Redline280 »

Thanks for the advice. I am a very defensive driver especially since I am driving on the interstate on the way to school and must be defensive. Do you know if a 2001 Honda Civic would be good for the winter?
Prodigal Son
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 3079
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:20 pm
Cars: 2006 Jetta, 2004 Miata
Location: Ottawa

Post by Prodigal Son »

Redline280 wrote:Thanks for the advice. I am a very defensive driver especially since I am driving on the interstate on the way to school and must be defensive. Do you know if a 2001 Honda Civic would be good for the winter?
As good as any other car in its class, I would think. Winter driving is about tires, torque control, tires, brake control, tires, steering control, and tires. Not too much torque in a Civic, which is definitely an advantage in Winter. They are generally reliable, which is also an advantage. Get ABS definitely, and traction control if you can. And good winter tires.
Just some guy on the Internet. Heed with care.
El Beefo
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 252
Joined: Thu Feb 22, 2007 10:07 pm
Location: K-Town, Oregon

Post by El Beefo »

Don't trust ABS too much though. If it's really slick out, the only thing that can help you stop is good brake control. Also, AWD will mostly help you when starting, it can't help you stop.
My motor goes round and round, not up and down.
Prodigal Son
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 3079
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:20 pm
Cars: 2006 Jetta, 2004 Miata
Location: Ottawa

Post by Prodigal Son »

Remember that the principal purpose of ABS is to allow you to maintain steering control while braking hard. Steering, not braking, is the number one way to avoid an accident. Unless you practice on a regular basis, combining threshold braking with steering, without ABS, is probably not going to work too well for you in an emergency. ABS allows you to stomp the brakes and focus on your steering. That's it main benefit.
Just some guy on the Internet. Heed with care.
hockeystyx16
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 6960
Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2006 3:54 am
Cars: 95 probe GT
Location: toledo ohio
Contact:

Post by hockeystyx16 »

keep the escort as the winter beater
get a nice car for the summer
-Roman
95 Probelem GT
Image
User avatar
potownrob
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 7833
Joined: Sun Jun 05, 2005 11:35 pm
Cars: '17 CX-5 GT
Location: Dutchess County

Post by potownrob »

the civic is too light to maintain traction in the snow; i'd step up to the accord if you like hondas, or do as hockeystick recommends and keep the escort as the winter beater (if it's not falling apart) and get a nicer car for the warmer months.
ClutchFork wrote:...So I started carrying a stick of firewood with me and that became my parking brake.
ra64t
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 1057
Joined: Sat May 20, 2006 9:14 pm
Location: VA, USA
Contact:

Post by ra64t »

In a lot of conditions, ABS will help you aviod accidents, and brake slightly shorter. However, remember, ABS, or anything for that matter, is really going to help you stop on ice.

Additionally, ABS can actually INCREASE stopping distances on loose surfaces such as snow and gravel.

http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/vrtc/ca/ca ... nalRpt.pdf

traction control can help you get going easier in the snow, and accelerate out of turns easier, however, most road traction control systems will NOT help if you go into a turn too fast and start sliding (they only function under acceleration.

I wouldn't let winter stop you from getting a newer car, just be careful.
DrNick
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 529
Joined: Sun Jun 10, 2007 2:14 pm
Cars: 07 Ford Fusion SEL V6
Location: New York, NY

Post by DrNick »

ra64t wrote: I wouldn't let winter stop you from getting a newer car, just be careful.
+1. Nothing wrong with getting a new car - just don't be like some of the drivers out there who think to themselves, "I have AWD, the new ABS with EBD, and traction control, so I can take this icy curve doing 60 miles an hour with no problems."

The truth is, you really can't.
User avatar
VTECaddict
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 1875
Joined: Mon Nov 15, 2004 9:41 pm
Location: San Jose, CA

Post by VTECaddict »

yep. physics always wins.
2006 BMW 330i 6MT
Prodigal Son
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 3079
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:20 pm
Cars: 2006 Jetta, 2004 Miata
Location: Ottawa

Post by Prodigal Son »

You can both brake and steer on ice. The myth that you cannot is dangerous, since it can lead to people not learning how to drive on ice. The key is to give yourself space and keep the wheels rolling. ABS helps you keep the wheels rolling and therefore to maintain steering control.

It is true that ABS will increase stopping distances on some surfaces. But then again, any technique you use to maintain steering control on those surfaces will increase stopping distances.

It is terrible how many people in emergency situations simply jam on the brakes and run straight into the obstacle in front of them because they forget to steer. Steering, not braking, is the number one accident avoidance technique in an emergency. ABS helps you maintain steering control. Think of it as a steering aid rather than a braking aid and you will appreciate its importance better.

It is true that studies have shown that ABS does not improve safety because drivers with ABS drive faster and reduce their following distances, believing that ABS gives them better braking. But this does not take anything away from the value of the technology -- it merely indicates the stupidity of the average driver. If you are less stupid than the average driver, and don't drive worse because you have ABS, then the technology is a boon. A full ESP system, of course, is even better.
Just some guy on the Internet. Heed with care.
DW10+BE4/5L
Senior Standardshifter
Posts: 149
Joined: Thu Sep 07, 2006 2:08 pm

Post by DW10+BE4/5L »

ra64t wrote: traction control can help you get going easier in the snow,
This is not exactly true. Most traction control systems prevent you from getting going easily in the snow. This is probably because the systems are programmed to allow a certaing amount of slip. This certain amount might be suitable for ice or other hard surfaces but on loose snow or sand that amount is too little in most cases. That's why many systems can be switched off.
Prodigal Son
Master Standardshifter
Posts: 3079
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2006 11:20 pm
Cars: 2006 Jetta, 2004 Miata
Location: Ottawa

Post by Prodigal Son »

DW10+BE4/5L wrote:This is not exactly true. Most traction control systems prevent you from getting going easily in the snow.
That's not exactly true either. In most snow, traction control will help. Where is will not is if you are stuck in deep snow and trying to rock yourself out. That's where you need to turn it off.
Just some guy on the Internet. Heed with care.
Redline280
Junior Standardshifter
Posts: 26
Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:23 pm

Post by Redline280 »

Are Accords generally better than Civic's or is it the other way around? I just want to get a good reliable car and everyone says Honda is the way to go but choosing which one to get is difficult.
Post Reply