IMO, ABS isn't worth it. I'd rather have control over my car. Sure in the snow or whatever I may not be able to stop as fast, but at least i could make what could be the better braking decision. I'd rather do it myself then have some computer do it for me. But that's just me.

Wait till you need it. I have been driving for about 15 years now, and only the last few of my vehicles have had the ABS. It is worth every penny I say. No matter the conditions. I was actually driving a few weeks back in the rain and came up to a stop light. I was driving my Malibu that the ABS is disabled right now ( by itself) cause one wheel sensor is screwed up, anyhow, as I was stopping I went over a manhole cover and that locked up only one rear tire, just that one tire locking up almost caused me to hit the guy in front of me.


Trying to stop quickly on the side of the road for any reason on gravel is another. Once you drive cars with and without for a while, you will see the difference.


Especially cause with ABS you hit the brakes, and hold them there, but without, you better be used to pushing the brakes, releasing ( if it locks even a bit) then hit the brakes again without locking up. And the car goes straight with the abs on and if you lock up, well usually your going for a ride in whatever direction, lol.

ABS is something that I'd like to have. With the lack of pedal feel and feedback, the lockup threshold is something hairy in the rain... not the easiest thing to provide maximum braking force when you only feel the onset of lockup well after it's happening...

The only circumstance where I might not want (intrusive) ABS is during a pure-race circumstance, which the Bonneville won't be doing. ;)

While I dislike the added complexity of ABS, I agree that you're better off to have it. ABS can do far better than a human at detecting and reacting to wheel lockup. Try pumping your brakes 10+ times per minute - you can't.

That said, the ABS on my '97 GTP seemed to be a little over sensitive. It might have had a questionable sensor somewhere... But ABS done right is well worth having.

Well, I have driven the vdub in the snow [big time snow, roads that haven't been plowed with 5" of snow, and on a bug, 5" is A LOT]. And the ABS kicked in but the car still slid everywhere. I've never driven the Bonneville in the snow, nor any other cars without ABS, but I have driven the Bonneville in the rain w/o ABS. And Yes I can lock up the brakes, and I have, even on purpose [controlled testing]. The car still didn't slide all over the place. But snow and rain don't really compare and it'll be a few months before we have snow again to test this. So far, I am glad my ABS is disabled. But everyone has their opinions.

JMFC, I can press and release my pedal 10x/minute no problem. I believe you meant seconds. And I do realize the ABS can do a better job at 'pumping' the brakes then I can manually, however the primitive ABS in our cars is not all too great to begin with, so I would just rather do it myself.

youll come over to the dark side of abs when u come within inches of an insurance claim (literally) and abs is the only thing that saved ur ass :btruestory:

example: jeep in winter with teh 4x4 on locked the wheels and i went flying off the road, lucky nothing was damaged, and when i was drivin the bonneville an altima pulled out right in front of me (hence the within inches literally of an insurance claim) and the abs kicked on cuz the wheels locked fast as hell, theres still tire marks in that spot from it :x

I've been driving for many years and have owned more vehicles without ABS than with. If you know the proper way to drive then ABS isn't necessary. I certainly don't dislike the feature in my other vehicles that are equipped but I don't mind not having it.

I've driven my big ol' bonne in snow, and i will say it CAN be a handful at times, but i enjoy it imensly over driving my mom's van or my dad's cutlass ciera with ABS. When ever that ABS kicks in i never feel like i'm in control of the vehicle, but i always have a sense of feeling in my bonne.

:duh: Doh!