Why does my Grand Prix suck in the rain.

[98GPree]

It seriously feels like I'm driving on butter.

I have no issues taking off or braking but driving over 40 is a rollercoaster. Hydroplaning, sliding, most the rear end. Im not talking driving on oceans of water, just average wet roads.
I've owned many cars from compact to full size trucks and SUVs but this Grand Prix is the worst of them all. Im scared to death of driving it in the rain. My tires are good, 70%+ tread, in good shape, no dry rot. I just don't understand it.

It's a 98 GT sedan.

Any ideas as to what causes this or is it just this stupid car?

[BillBoost37]

Most likely it's the tire compound or design. A tire may have tons of tread, but if they aren't designed to wick water through them, then you will encounter many issues.

[burgundybullet]

I generally have no trouble in the rain with my 2000 gp gt. Tires are what really make the difference. IMO

[EJOUIE]

Don't know what your car is complaining about. It should handle better, as boats handle better in water than on land.




My cars does what your saying when the tires are near the end of their life, but I didn't mind it so much because being able to kick out the back end at will is kinda fun.

[98GPree]

I figure tire design. They are Goodyear Viva 2 which after googling I've found are made specially for Walmart. Fail #1.

I also would think that with this car being such a boat that it would handle so much better...

Also yes, having the rear end kick out can be fun...but im kinda over that younger phase of my life. (25, yes life is over) But it's to the point that it scares the hell out of me. I drive 110 miles a day for work and it is no fun wondering at what point you're about to do a 360 and end up upside down in a ditch.

I'm thinking its time to do some tire shopping and leave some bad reviews with Walmart.

[BillBoost37]

I looked at the tread. They don't appear to have much abilty to push water out the sides when moving at any speed.

[98GPree]

Yeah. Its not the greatest looking tread design. Thanks for you help and opinion guys. It's pretty crappy that you cant rely on a set of tires.

[EJOUIE]

Tire Search Results


I have been running the advantage T/A for 40,000 miles and they have been fine. Taken them through fairly deep mud, 6 inches of snow, ice, and even "oceans of water" and came out impressed. Getting pretty bald now and getting replaced in a couple weeks, and they are just starting to lose grip.


Mud was fun as I got though where just after me a 4x4 F250 got stuck.

[thegipper]

I figure tire design. They are Goodyear Viva 2 which after googling I've found are made specially for Walmart. Fail #1.

I also would think that with this car being such a boat that it would handle so much better...

Also yes, having the rear end kick out can be fun...but im kinda over that younger phase of my life. (25, yes life is over) But it's to the point that it scares the hell out of me. I drive 110 miles a day for work and it is no fun wondering at what point you're about to do a 360 and end up upside down in a ditch.

I'm thinking its time to do some tire shopping and leave some bad reviews with Walmart.

Those Goodyear Walmart specials are absolute junk. I had them on my Bonneville and they are completely worthless. Your problem is 100% due to ****y tires. I'm currently running kuhmo ecsta lx platinum and have no issues in the rain. They don't seem to be lasting as long as I had wanted but I do drive like a madman.

Ditch those Goodyear POS tires for sure !

[burgundybullet]

I was running Goodyear Assurance Comfortred or something like that over the winter and had driven through rain and they handled so nicely. I felt like I was always in control with them.

[dsmuts]

I ran the viva 2's on my gtp and had no problems with the rain. Might want to get your alignment checked out and check for any bad suspension components.

[98GPree]

And what suspension component do you suggest cause rear end sliding in the rain?

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[dsmuts]

Maybe bent trailing arms. When I first got my gtp the trailing arms were bent and it was all over the place.

[locuno1]

my gtp handles fine in the rain. the snow was a different story depending on how bad it got

[98GPree]

Everything looks fine. Nothing looks bent or off. I've replaced everything except the struts on this car in the last couple months. I t hink ill look into new tires and see what happens

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[dsmuts]

Have you had it aligned?

[98GPree]

Alignment is perfect. Had it done after I repkaced everything

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[jake91]

Yeah I'd say tires when I had Big O brand tires on my car it was downright scary in the rain almost put it sideways on the freeway going 50mph once. Now that I have Pilot Aport A/S on my car I'm quite confident I could probably drive 100Mph ( I would never try this) in the rain if I wanted as its strait as a arrow even at 80mph


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[nos4blood70]

I'll vouch for the BFGoodrich Advantage T/As. I've had mine for about 45k miles now. I think they're still gonna go another 15-20k. Much MUCH better than the factory Good Years. They are quieter, grippier, and were less money.

[coolone]

Bridgestone Portenza's Pole Position 970AS or the older 960's are great rubber... It IS all about the rubber! Discounted and Long Life tires just usually are pieces of ****! Just because you got NEW tires on the car doesn't mean they will perform.

I drive aggressively in all weather and have confidence hitting water at +70mph, let alone on turns, in snow, etc. no issues...

Stopping, well that's a different issue!
Lol... Just kidding!



Just curious how much you spent on those Walmart specials? In tires, IMO, you get what you pay for.