So, with winter coming, it's decision making time. This'll be the first winter I've driven my lowered CL around in the Ohio snow, so I don't know a whole lot what to expect. From what I hear, driving a lowered car in the winter is less than desireable, (those with experiences, PLEASE SHARE!) I'm expecting to plow every street I drive on. So I was talking to my pops, and he suggested that maybe I just buy a beater for the winter. Something FWD, reliable, and cheap. I know reliable and cheap don't really go hand in hand, but I'll make do with what I can. We'll probably go to the auto auction and see what they got. So I guess my question to you guys is, should I park my CL and buy a beater for the winter? Or should I take it like a man and just drive the Acura around. If I got a new car, it'd probably be better for the CL in the long run and save me the hassle of getting stuck everytime I drive. But, if I just drove the CL, I'd be able to put more money towards it that I'd spend on another car.

Thoughts? Thanks for reading this.

 

Get a beater, that's what I did and I'm so thankful

 

depends on price and reliability on whether its worth it. but if you can get like an old civic with 125-150k miles with for <1000 bucks id say its worth it. youll save on repairs and it will pay for its self

 

I cant even imagine trying to drive my car in the snow. Its already a headache enough without it lol

 

^^^ lol, his car is a little more conservatively dropped.
but on the subject, im facing the same dillema....without the choice to buy a beater but instead to put on the stock suspension....i have a feeling im gonna regret something either way

 

just get a really old subaru or jeep thats all wheel drive.

 

Get an early 90s impreza... they're cheap and AWD

 

yeah older imprezas arent bad at all. semi quick too. my friend has one, they drive pretty nice.

 

I love having 4WD in the snow

 

Yeah, I can't imagine kLepto trying to fair his way in Ohio. Or especially hilly PA. But my brother probably wouldnt want to put my stock suspension on again. I'd rather buy a beater than that.

Haha, unfortunately, I don't have enough for a 4Runner unlike some of us.

My one buddy said the same thing as you guys though, buy an old Subaru. I'll definately look into those. I want to spend under $1200 for sure. Any more suggestions?

 

Anymore suggestions? Buy a subaru

 

Haha alright I'll start researching. Years? Model? Impreza right?

 

well in my case, my car is lower than yours, so winter driving is out of the question. i cant afford a beater either, i dumped enough money into the lude to go buy a POS now. so i guess stock suspension is going back on

 

Heyo, where in NE Ohio are you located??

 

Impreza 2.5 RS

 

^What year?

Norton. It's a little town by Akron, Barberton, Copley, Wadsworth, and kinda Medina. I'm about 45 miles from Cleveland. Where you from?

 

good stuff man, I know that area. I'm from Chagrin Falls.

 

^Nice, we gotta do a mini-shoot then for sure. Especially this time of year.

 

i dont think it'll be too bad, my cousin drove his lowered celica with a veilside ff-gt kit on with his stockies and it wasnt too bad aslong as the roads were plowed.

 

just like a 92 impreza. just do the best you can do. with winter driving, you just need to make sure it runs good. cold weather = car problems. 2.5 rs's are a little spendy, and i seriously doubt youll find one for 1200 or under.

 

Get a 4x4 -- a rock solid winter beater thats never failed me are the Suzuki Sidekicks!

I had a 1990 2-dr JLX convertible, and currently have the 1998 4-dr Sidekick Sport JLX.

For the price the early 2-dr models can be good depending on area you live in.

 

Cleveland what what?

 

hell yeah, cleveland's the place to be. we should def get a photo shoot goin when i get home from school...

 

my CL is my beater, so uh.. take it like a man

 

just drive your car, it will be my second winter driving the lowered CL, never got stuck anywheres, plowed road or not, get yourself a good set of winter tires and you'll be good to go,.. I live in atlantic canada and we get more than our share of snow every year

 

I'm not too far from cleveland or ak-wrong

 

^Mhm, you could be here in less than two years.

What part of the Pitts do you live in again?

And I think I'm just going to stick it out this winter and see how things go. The next question is, what should I do to my stock tires since I'll be throwing them back on again. I'd like to spruce them up a bit maybe paint them, so what should I do to them?

 

Two years?? Try 2 hours brah, and I live in the North Hills

 

^Haha, you knew what I meant. And I knew you lived in North Hills. Hell, I've probably passed by your house at one point or another.

But what do you think, should I powdercoat my rims gunmetal?

 

I wouldn't pc winter rims, man salt and winter would be so horrible on pc finishes, if anything paint and clear them

 

any toyota pre-1990 should be cheap and will do the job.

 

i donno dude,

powdercoat has proven more durable than paint so far in my case.

 

Just seems like a waste for winter beater rims

 

im with acuraTL2nr. its seriously not that bad.

but i vote you get a 92-95 Civic, or 88-91 Civic, maybe even a 90-93 accord. anything cheap.

 

it looks like ill be driving my prelude this winter and even if i do raise it, it wont be much higher than your CL. just get a good rust proof/oil spray if your city uses salt and try to wash ur car often.

 

I'm going to be pimping the cl during the winter as well. our winters here in the northwest are less than stellar, but the 16" chromies will be going back on and the d2's will be raised probably a good 2 inches. Never had a problem after 10 years of these winters with rust/etc...but a good prep would be to do a full claying/polish/waxing/sealant right now before winter starts...and that'll really protect the finish from all those harsh road salts

 

I vote for you to get a beater. It matters how lowered you are though. I had a Integra lowered 2.5" in Columbus (lil south of ya) and I was sledding two years ago. I couldn't get out of my driveway with 4" of snow. When I did get out...I snow plowed the roads for everybody.
Thats why I didn't go with the extreme drop with my CL (Tanabe NF's)....sucks..but at least my car is drivable in the winter now.
good luck!