Checked the fuse box and I do have ABS.
Are there any advantages of not having ABS? I've always thought that was a selling point of cars that do have it. Any thoughts?

 

Before I say anything, if you have ABS, get the ABS hub (otherwise, you will have a service light coming on). If you want to disable the ABS system, there are other ways to do it and turn it back on (such as unplugging the fuse).

As far as advantages for not having ABS, all depends on your general feelings about ABS. The Anti-Lock Brake System was developed as a safety feature (hence why it can be a selling point). The idea is so if you go into a slide, the driver does not have to react and pulse the brake manually, the system does it for you. So it depends a lot on how you drive and what you are used to. My first ABS car was a '93 Grand Am and I never did find out what was wrong with it, but the ABS was malfunctioning, never triggered a ABS code, but caused problems for me stopping (felt more like the car went into a slide then prevented it). I finally got sick of it and pulled the wires off the brake booster to disable the ABS system. On that specific car, BEST thing I ever did. I was used to manually pulsing the brake and no longer having ABS, that's what I had to do to prevent wheel lock.
I've had other cars, ABS was great. Not a "requirement" for me, but a "nice to have". My current winter car has Traction Control and perhaps it's the current tires, but I find when traction control takes over, it does not really help the traction (I find myself turning it off once in a while).

Just preference.... For me, it's not a big deal either way.

 

If my memory serves me, only the SS models have ABS brakes. LS models do not.

 

My 2000 LS has them.

 

No, there is no advantage in braking with a non-ABS system versus an ABS system. The ABS controls braking much more efficiently and safely.

 

My '96 LS has ABS

 

Depends on the surface. In most cases, yes, ABS is safer as you don't have to worry about pumping the brakes and can focus on steering the car. There is a difference in stopping distance, but it's not earth shattering.

However, in the Winter on snowy roads the ABS actually increases braking distance. Locked wheels dig in and stop the vehicle more quickly. ABS prevents this from occurring. My KIA is especially sensitive in the snow and even what I do as "normal braking" on dry roads triggers the ABS and actually makes the rear of the car bob-tail and even on some occasions turn sideways if I don't release the brakes completely, which is great when coming to a red light at a busy intersection. I turn off traction control by default in my KIA and my Monte Carlo only has ABS, luckily not as sensitive, but I don't drive it in the snow anyways. The KIA I've considered just pulling the fuse in heavy snow.

 

Wow and i have a ABS with no trunk open button or traction control weird

 

Not going to make a long drawn out post, but that is simply not correct. Look at race cars and high performance track cars. Nearly all do NOT have ABS.

 

I don't want to drag it out either, but you're comparing apples to oranges. We're talking about an every day commuter vehicle, not a race car. The advantages of ABS have been proven to prevent accidents and aid the driver in maintaining control of the vehicle. Besides, ABS braking is present on a lot of high performance road course vehicles.