ABS - All that necessary?

[swbsam]

I filled out that initial paperwork for a 2009 Nissan versa (floor model) and totally forget to request ABS. Is it really a deal killer and worth it for me to stretch this process out (and pay more), or is it not a big deal?

Thanks!

 

[dug777]

I'd say yes, unless you're going to do a lot of driving on gravel.

 

[bruceb]

ABS on that model is a $250 option .. Have the dealer check the floor model to be sure it does or does not have it installed.
A quick look at the sticker or under the hood at the brake master cylinder can tell if you have it. If you are ordering the car
new, with buyer selected options, then by all means, add the ABS to the car. I would cancel any buy without ABS as it really
should be standard on all cars. Cheap insurance against problems in Rain, Snow, Ice and Panic stops.

 

[chris7b]

With a light car, i don't find it to be much of a problem. I don't have ABS on my sentra, but then again i also live in LA and don't have much problems with rain, especially ice and snow.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

It's not that it's something you can't live without, but to me it's just dumb to buy a modern car without ABS. Honestly I'm surprised they even sell the Versa minus ABS.

 

[overst33r]

Unless you have been trained to do otherwise, in a panic situation you're probably going to slam on your brakes and cause them to lock up and you won't be able to turn because of it. I say go for ABS.

 

[swbsam]

Originally posted by: bruceb
ABS on that model is a $250 option .. Have the dealer check the floor model to be sure it does or does not have it installed.
A quick look at the sticker or under the hood at the brake master cylinder can tell if you have it. If you are ordering the car
new, with buyer selected options, then by all means, add the ABS to the car. I would cancel any buy without ABS as it really
should be standard on all cars. Cheap insurance against problems in Rain, Snow, Ice and Panic stops.

They have another versa in stock, same color with ABS and a few other options for $1,000 more.. I don't really need bluetooth, etc. but I'm going to see if they're willing to split the difference, me paying $500 over my current purchase for the other car with ABS.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I only have rear ABS on my truck, it's been all I've needed.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I only have rear ABS on my truck, it's been all I've needed.

How come?

I was under the impression that most of the braking action happened at the front, plus ABS allows you to steer?

Forgive me if these seem like dumb questions

 

[Elstupido]

Yes you need ABS. Not having it in this day and age is well....just retarded.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I only have rear ABS on my truck, it's been all I've needed.

How come?

I was under the impression that most of the braking action happened at the front, plus ABS allows you to steer?

Forgive me if these seem like dumb questions

They put ABS on the rear of trucks because:

It saves money versus 4 wheel ABS

The potential load in a truck varies so much (if you actually use the vehicle as a truck) and it's difficult to develop a "feel" for braking in a truck because of the loaded/unloaded potential conditions.

I think a bit of practice with all cars is a very good thing, don't know of a single person that can explain to me what "stomp and steer" is, much less actually do it.

I wouldn't pay for ABS, it adds a layer of unnecessary and fairly well proven useless technology, and expense. (I am admittedly a minimalist kind of person about cars though)

Traction control is a much more effective bit of technology.

 

[overst33r]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I only have rear ABS on my truck, it's been all I've needed.

How come?

I was under the impression that most of the braking action happened at the front, plus ABS allows you to steer?

Forgive me if these seem like dumb questions

They put ABS on the rear of trucks because:

It saves money versus 4 wheel ABS

The potential load in a truck varies so much (if you actually use the vehicle as a truck) and it's difficult to develop a "feel" for braking in a truck because of the loaded/unloaded potential conditions.

I think a bit of practice with all cars is a very good thing, don't know of a single person that can explain to me what "stomp and steer" is, much less actually do it.

I wouldn't pay for ABS, it adds a layer of unnecessary and fairly well proven useless technology, and expense. (I am admittedly a minimalist kind of person about cars though)

Traction control is a much more effective bit of technology.

I wouldn't go as far as calling it useless. It might be useless to a race car driver, but for your average joe/jane, ABS is definitely not useless.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: bruceb
ABS on that model is a $250 option .. Have the dealer check the floor model to be sure it does or does not have it installed.
A quick look at the sticker or under the hood at the brake master cylinder can tell if you have it. If you are ordering the car
new, with buyer selected options, then by all means, add the ABS to the car. I would cancel any buy without ABS as it really
should be standard on all cars. Cheap insurance against problems in Rain, Snow, Ice and Panic stops.

If it's only $250 then get it. I didn't have it on my old car though and it wasn't a big deal.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

The reason trucks only need rear (4 wheel was an option box I didn't check) is because unloaded, the rear is going to be what locks up 100% of the time. I think I've only managed to actually lock up the front tires 1.5 times and neither time I had anywhere to steer to. First time was someone decided to cross I-5 on foot in the middle of nowhere. The other 0.5 time I locked up one tire for about 10' after someone pulled out in front of me, completely blocking my lane. It's very easy to modulate the fronts when you're not worried about the back. Then again, this is the first car I've owned with any form of ABS at all.

Now, when I was driving my dad's '78 GMC which had easily locking rear brakes and 33x12.5 tires, I was able to lock them up and be able to look in my rear view mirror and see those twirling smoke clouds you see when a 747 lands.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I can't believe cars are still made that don't come with ABS as standard equipment quite honestly...

 

[dug777]

Cool

Learn something every day, makes sense

 

[Pliablemoose]

I stand corrected, I was going on old studies with first gen ABS, seems stats show that ABS does prevent accidents, and significantly in certain circumstances.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: dug777

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
I only have rear ABS on my truck, it's been all I've needed.

How come?

I was under the impression that most of the braking action happened at the front, plus ABS allows you to steer?

Forgive me if these seem like dumb questions

Unloaded, trucks are very front heavy, a condition that gets even worse under braking because even more weight transfers to the front wheels so the rears have a tendency to lock easily. When the rear wheels lock this can create dangerous oversteer and make a bad situation much worse.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: Pliablemoose

I wouldn't pay for ABS, it adds a layer of unnecessary and fairly well proven useless technology, and expense. (I am admittedly a minimalist kind of person about cars though)

Traction control is a much more effective bit of technology.

Is this post supposed to be sarcastic?

Because I can't believe that anyone would honestly believe what you just said.

 

[Arkaign]

ABS helps inexperienced/average drivers greatly in terms of 'shock stop'. People instinctively mash their brakes when faced with a sudden emergency, and this causes them to begin to slide/be unable to turn as their wheels lock. Excellent drivers can actually stop better / evade better without ABS.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

i'm amazed how some folks still think they can out-perform abs.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler
i'm amazed how some folks still think they can out-perform abs.

You can if you know how to drive and brake properly. On dry pavement you can stop shorter. But it takes a good amount of skill most all drivers just don't have, no matter how good you think you are.

ABS is a critical safety component that I wouldn't skip. Once you lock up your brakes, you're going to continue in a straight line and it will take some time for them to unlock and by that time you're into a ditch, off the road or into another car. So much easier to just mash the peddle as hard as you can and keep steering/control, especially on wet or slick roads.

 

[CrimsonWolf]

Have you driven an older car w/o ABS? Ever had to pump the brakes before?

If you have and are more-or-less comfortable with it, I don't think it's a deal breaker. But make an effort to get it though, as it is an important safety feature.

I bought a 2007 Versa SL hatchback and have been extremely happy with it. Though I was amazed that in 200-fucking-7 there were cars made without ABS. None of the Nissan dealers in town had any Versas with ABS, the Honda Fit was not available anywhere, and the Yaris was way too puny, so I stuck with the Versa. It also helps that I live in AZ, where rain and snow are not a big issue.

All that said though, if they have Versas available with ABS, try to get one of those. I hope availability is better now than it was a couple years ago.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
ABS helps most drivers greatly in terms of 'shock stop'. People instinctively mash their brakes when faced with a sudden emergency, and this causes them to begin to slide/be unable to turn as their wheels lock. Only the best drivers can actually stop better / evade better without ABS.

Fixed that for ya.

 

[Arkaign]

^^ Thanks