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GE8's in the snow: pictures and experiences
So the mid-atlantic region has obviously been hammered this winter, which has given us the opportunity to really see how these things do in heavy snow. Naturally, with the proper tires, a nose-heavy FWD car is going to do just fine until ground clearance limits forward motion...but I definitely was quite impressed with the Fit as I drove around plowing snow with the front bumper.
I am extremely glad I chose to buy the snow tires when I did, even though it was somewhat late in the season...bought them less than 2 weeks ago. 185/70R14 Yokohama IG20's on Craigslist-purchased Honda Del Sol OEM 14x5.5" alloys. A limited slip diff would help immensely, and if/when Quaife comes out with a GE8 diff, I may well go that route, both for fun in the dry and capability when the weather gets nasty. I did manage to get high centered - twice - in my friend's driveway, and this was definitely not the Fit's fault. Priorities!! https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050...1a6b016c_b.jpg This is Tuesday night, as it was coming down steadily but still had not accumulated more than 5-6 inches (beyond the 2ft we'd had the previous snowfall). Still made for great fun driving around town. https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4010...0ce150c5_b.jpg The Fit's grilles get nice and packed with snow when you ram through the walls of snow that the plows leave :D https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028...74bdf806_b.jpg https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033...eeae3729_o.jpg And here I am, high centered trying to ram my way into my friend's driveway. Jacked up the car on either side one at a time and dug it out...one of the problems with having good tires is that you can get farther into a bad situation than you could with normal all-seasons :) Took more than an hour to dig out the first time. The second time, we were able to borrow a chain from someone and make use of that tow point in the front bumper. https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061...c5e334f1_b.jpg https://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030...4d43ab14_b.jpg So - any other pictures and/or stories of your Fits in the snow? |
Oh man! Three things:
1. looks like serious fun. way to enjoy your ride instead of babying it. 2. the snow on the rear bumper makes the north american models look more like the flatter jdm ones. nice mod! 3. this is the first time i've definitively seen what a 14" wheel looks like on a GE. Thank you for those pics, i love it... |
Thanks for the comments! I agree on the 14" wheels - I found a bunch of people wondering if they would work, others saying that they knew someone who had tried it, but for the most part just a bunch of conjecture and no pictures or info (as far as clearing brake calipers, etc...).
I was lucky enough to find that set of wheels for $100 on Craigslist, with a seller who had no problem with me test-fitting one of the wheels before buying. It fit perfectly, PLENTY of caliper clearance, and I can use my OEM lugs instead of buying tuner lugs for an aftermarket set of wheels. The tires were $182 shipped after $50 instant rebate and $40 mail-in rebates from Discount Tire, $25 for a local shop to mount and balance them, and all-in-all I'm out just $307 for brand new winter tires on alloy wheels. I actually like the ride enough that I'm considering getting another set of 14's for the other three seasons when I have to replace my OEM tires. |
So you mean my 96-2000 civic 14" steelies will fit on on the G8? Bolt pattern and all? Oh man I hope so! Save me a few bucks when I get my Fit!
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All I can say after seeing those pics is thank goodness my Fit has a nice warm garage to sleep in at night.
http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/44...600x600Q85.jpg |
The only problem is when you park a car that has been slushing out in the salty streets in a relatively warm garage, if it hasn't had the salt washed off it, it speed ups corrosion.
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All I can say after seeing those pics is thank goodness my Fit has a nice warm garage to sleep in at night.
http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/44...600x600Q85.jpg |
Originally Posted by moniz
(Post 812358)
The only problem is when you park a car that has been slushing out in the salty streets in a relatively warm garage, if it hasn't had the salt washed off it, it speed ups corrosion.
I agree. That's why mine gets washed once a week and is polished and sealed before every winter. ;) |
Originally Posted by Committobefit08
(Post 812361)
wow my computer went wild there..sorry for the double post.
I agree. That's why mine gets washed once a week and is polished and sealed before every winter. ;) :) Good man! |
The problem with a heated garage is the change from cold to warm causes condensation inside the body panels.
I have a garage but it's not heated for that reason. |
Originally Posted by Virtual
(Post 812384)
The problem with a heated garage is the change from cold to warm causes condensation inside the body panels.
I have a garage but it's not heated for that reason. |
i have pics..
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5 Attachment(s)
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The thing is though, if snow starts melting once your car is in the unheated garage, it is relatively heated, compared to the outside temp, say a garage as part of your house. Proof that it works is my previous car (civic in my sig) served me well for 21 years with very little rust. Not bad for harsh Canadian city use. |
Originally Posted by Virtual
(Post 812398)
Well... My garage isn't attached to my house and it's actually well ventilated to the outside air. I'm also meticulous about keeping the snow well removed from my car.
Proof that it works is my previous car (civic in my sig) served me well for 21 years with very little rust. Not bad for harsh Canadian city use. Excellent! As long as the inside air and outside air are within a reasonable below freezing range, which of course yours is, you're golden. Just making sure those out there who think their garages aren't heated, may actually be relatively "heated", like I said, a garage as part of your home structure. |
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Attachment 51492Attachment 51493
RIP Fit. :( Luckily I just got a shiny new 2010 to replace it, but still miss it. |
Not a Fit (Fit is 70 miles away) but I wanna play....
http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...00210-1419.jpg http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...00210-1427.jpg http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...00210-1427.jpg http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...00210-1437.jpg http://i353.photobucket.com/albums/r...00210-1443.jpg |
Lucky Americans, they get all the snow. I've barely driven on 1/2 inch of snow this season. :mad:
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Originally Posted by inkster
(Post 812436)
Lucky Americans, they get all the snow. I've barely driven on 1/2 inch of snow this season. :mad:
Screw that! They can have it! I plow/salt for the City of Burlington, and I don't mind not working crazy hours! |
A limited slip diff would help immensely :D About going through snow plow walls- that I hate the most. At 46, I'm past 'fun' with the car in the snow. I wanna make it though without bashing the thing up. Also, my mesh guard mod is holding up great but you do have to clear all the snow away from the grill when needed. This has been an exceptionally bad snow season in NY. I really want it to end now. I'm fractured from shoveling. :( Dan |
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