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View Full Version : Back on the road for the winter



swc69
12-17-2009, 05:16 PM
Woo-hoo! Fired up my Marauder last week for the first time since last spring. Activated the insurance, took it for a drive, and realized how much I missed it. The sound at 3/4 throttle is just classic.

With Firestone snowtires, 2 bags of sand in the trunk, this car can go ANYWHERE in the snow. I once again claim the crown as the first guy on the planet to have a Marauder as a dedicated winter car. All I need to do now is replace the standard broken stereo, and fix the HVAC so I can have heat at my feet.

I love the car. And, yes, I'm a jerk. I live on a dirt road so I ruined the typical resale value of the car years ago. Now I'm just driving it! That's what its for.

CRUZTAKER
12-17-2009, 06:15 PM
Woo-hoo! Fired up my Marauder last week for the first time since last spring. .....


Damn...and to think I have it all backwards and put mine away in the winter and take out in the spring. :dunno:

4play
12-17-2009, 07:57 PM
I had snow tires on mine over a month ago. I agree it's awsome in the snow and on ice. better than my 4x4 for handling on ice.

Thunderace
12-18-2009, 07:16 AM
With the right tire's all panther's are great in the snow/ice! I just could'nt drive our marauder in the winter (salt) it was to nice.

a_d_a_m
12-18-2009, 07:46 AM
What the hell is your summer car?

Stranger in the Black Sedan
12-18-2009, 07:47 AM
um congratulations I guess?

mossiehorn
12-18-2009, 09:45 AM
put my winters on in Nov and drive it all year. You are right, drive 'em

swc69
12-18-2009, 10:28 AM
What the hell is your summer car?

Caddie STS-V. Which I also just put snow tires on this week. The Marauder will get duty on the really bad days. Its kind of a ***** living on a dirt road, because it makes it nearly impossible to keep a car pristine. Even if I drive only on nice days, all it takes in one unforeseen rainstorm and I'm driving home through a mile of mud. That gunks up a car pretty quick.

Big Black Beast
12-18-2009, 10:57 AM
Hmmm...do you have to run snow tires on all 4 corners? I was only gonna run them on the back, but somebody told me the ABS won't work right.

swc69
12-18-2009, 01:20 PM
Hmmm...do you have to run snow tires on all 4 corners? I was only gonna run them on the back, but somebody told me the ABS won't work right.

I ran all 4, I like to be able to turn, too. :) As long as you had the correct size on the back, I wouldn't see an ABS problem with just running the rears. But - hey, I'm certainly no expert. I have heard of guys having traction control kick in (both on Marauders and STS-V's) if they run the wrong size tires.

Reminds me - my mechanic did me a "favor" last spring and rotated my Marauder tires while he was doing a brake job. I didn't know. When I got in the car I thought "hmm this seems to be sitting differently". I hadn't driven it in a while and thought it was just me, or the rear air suspension hadn't yet cranked up all the way. It did freak out the ABS. I pulled right back in his shop, looked at the car, and started laughing. It looked positively goofy with the front / rear tires installed backwards.

CRUZTAKER
12-18-2009, 03:57 PM
Hmmm...do you have to run snow tires on all 4 corners? I was only gonna run them on the back, but somebody told me the ABS won't work right.

It has nothing to do with the ABS if you have nmatched your tires correctly...and EVERYTHING to do with the fact the oem stock fronts turn into skis in heavy snow.

The first turn you take and continue going straight you'll understand and make the obvious move to four snow tires.

Big Black Beast
12-18-2009, 04:14 PM
I don't have traction control, so that wouldn't be an issue. It doesn't snow much here, just a few inches a couple times a year. I've done fine w/o snow tires and with 1 wheel drive (CV open diff) for 20 years just by going slow and taking the flattest / straightest routes possible (or just staying home). I can't count the times I've passed crashed/stuck SUV's in my 1 wheel RWD car. The secret is taking it slow. The main problem is it's hilly around here and if you get stopped on a hill, it's hard to get going.

guspech750
12-18-2009, 09:39 PM
Mine seams to drive like a truck thru the snow with 4 snow tires!! It is by far my best car in the snow I have ever owned. Excluding my Jeep Grand Cherokee. Panthers Rule!!!