Why don't people drive the J30 in the winter?

[#1 Sailor Scout]

Why don't people drive the J30 in the wintertime? Is it because of the RWD configuration? Or is it something else?

I didn't see them a lot this winter, but now that it's spring, I've been seeing more of them.

It doesn't even snow here where I live...just a lot of rain & cold.

[Puddles]

Why don't people drive the J30 in the wintertime?

I live in Minnesota and drove my J30 during the winter during its first few years. I'd have to say it's the absolute worst winter driving experience I ever remember, but that might be because I'm forgetting what it was like when all cars had rear wheel drive.

I have a long driveway on an incline and there was no way i could get the J30 out of my driveway if there was more than a light dusting of snow. I was out there with a broom sweeping a 300' driveway! And then if you're lucky enough to get to the main roads you cause traffic to pile up behind you as you're spinning your wheels and fishtailing, trying to get some traction as other cars speed past you honking their horns.

Granted, i started out with the factory tires (Goodyear Eagle something)...a huge mistake as they didn't seem to even be all-seasons. When i replaced the tires with more of an all-season the driving became quite a bit better but still pretty darn bad. You need dedicated snow tires but i'm not interested in swapping tires twice a year so now i simply put the J30 away in November and bring it out again in March or April.

[colincliff2]

Is it because of the RWD configuration?

Yes. Some people are skilled enough to handle this car in bad road conditions, but I am not so I don't even risk it.

[yodawill2000]

That is the key Ive never had anyhting but rear end drive vehicles

Although all I deal with here is Ice its all in know how and the proper tires.

[driverdriver]

The J is okay to drive in light snow (up to 2cm) on all seasons. Anything above that requires a premium set of winter tires. I have in the past driven the J once through a foot of snow on all-seasons. It was a white knuckle drive that took 4x's longer than normal.

[unlimited]

it seems like even a thin layer of water makes my tires spin. though i can say my tires are not near top brand but i have to press on the acceleration so light that i'm barely accelerating. just the other day i pressed the gas normally and the streets were pretty wet that day from having rained and i was turning to the left from the light (was the leading car) and my car started fishtailing. pretty embarrassing... after that i took off :S lol, didnt want to be stared at

[Infinitiguy19]

Don't J30's come with traction control?

Ironic though I have to remove TCS to get up the hill.

[driverdriver]

The base J30's came with no traction control units for either side of the border. The "t" models sold in Canada came with the option of a primitive version of traction control, mostly designed to limit rear wheel spin in adverse weather conditions. Their is a TCS light that flashes on the Canadian gauge cluster when the system is activated. I believe the system was available for only the first two model years and it was an option. The system isn't nowhere near advanced as the traction/stability control unit in my Saab. That thing has a mindset of its own and in two instances has literally taken control of the car and steered me to safety.