What do you guys in the Northeast do in the winter?

NYBladeZ · 12-21-2009, 01:47 AM

honestly, I keep the Z garaged and drive a camry

Ken · 12-21-2009, 01:57 AM

Yeah as most others have said here, it's not a great choice for the parts of North America that get crappy winters. The best bet is to park it from Nov - Feb and have a Winter car/truck to use for that time period.

I'm in Western Canada and I do see 350's and 370's being driven year round with winter tires on them but even with the best Winter tires the car is still marginal at best for that kind of weather.....why risk it, not to mention bad Winters are not great for the body, paint, moldings, etc of the car.

FricFrac · 12-21-2009, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

You can pick up a set of 18" rims and snow tires for around $1200, which is probably your best bet if you don't have another car you can borrow on snow days. At least two of our members have done this via TireRack.

All-Seasons are OK, but with the Z snow performance will be marginal at best.

...and for $1200 can't you buy a pretty decent beater better suited to drive in the snow?

mpp9 · 12-21-2009, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharmacist

i put winter tires on 18 inch wheels from the base model and drive it in winter. if anything, its actually safer to drive and handles better than the folks above me who talked about a truck or suv. with appropriate winter tires and vdc on, the car is safer and better handling than most other sedans and trucks out there on the road.

as for the whole thing about icemelt and salt, i wash my car very frequently, up to 2-3 times a week if the roads are covered with salt. that should cut down the corrosion. there's absolutely no reason why a 370z cannot work in the winter.

and one more thing, all season tires are no season tires. get proper winter tires for winter and summer tires for summer

What kind and what size winter tires did you use for the base model 18 inch rims?

schrute · 12-21-2009, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by areyouin729

I have plenty of PTO stored up

Haha, snow day = take the day off. I like the way you think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharmacist

and one more thing, all season tires are no season tires. get proper winter tires for winter and summer tires for summer

Quote:

Originally Posted by FricFrac

...and for $1200 can't you buy a pretty decent beater better suited to drive in the snow?

Yes, but then I wouldn't get to drive my Z every day! Different priorities I guess.

My Z with Blizzaks on 18's has fared better than our "better" snow car - my wife had a little accident the other day...

spearfish25 · 12-21-2009, 07:52 AM

So instead of driving my Z with Blizzaks, I'm supposed to risk my life in a $1200 piece of crap car with bald tires that someone put 100,000 miles on? I don't see how that's a better alternative.

Parking spaces are also a premium in big cities. Having an extra car then costs you another pretty penny to either put the Z in storage or buy another space.

kannibul · 12-21-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

So instead of driving my Z with Blizzaks, I'm supposed to risk my life in a $1200 piece of crap car with bald tires that someone put 100,000 miles on? I don't see how that's a better alternative.

Parking spaces are also a premium in big cities. Having an extra car then costs you another pretty penny to either put the Z in storage or buy another space.

Can you rightfully say that a Z will drive well in snow?

I can't. I think driving the Z in winter would be akin to riding a snowmobile on water in summer instead of a jetski...or "muddin with a Z"

Some tools are better suited for other purposes. While you might be "safer" in your Z should get in an accident, you're more likely to get INTO an accident with the Z in winter, than with a "$1200 POS w/ 100K miles on it".

Storage units cost what, $75/mo? (I know around here they are $130 for ones large enough to store 2 cars) How much will your insurance go up, and how much will a rental cost you, and how long will you be without your Z...and how likely is it that you may total your Z or it not be "perfect" ever again?

Think of it as a $75/mo extra insurance policy that you'll have it come spring melt-off.

Zeto · 12-21-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

So instead of driving my Z with Blizzaks, I'm supposed to risk my life in a $1200 piece of crap car with bald tires that someone put 100,000 miles on? I don't see how that's a better alternative.

I paid $1500 for a 2001 Audi A4 Quattro with 6 airbags with 140,000 miles with Blizzaks. The term "piece of crap car" is relative in this case. I DD'ed an S2000 and I had many close calls. Lesson learned. In any case there are very good deals out there to be had.

spearfish25 · 12-21-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

Can you rightfully say that a Z will drive well in snow?

Yes. I have a 370 with Blizzaks and I've been driving it in the snow. I came from a 2008 Audi A4 with Quattro and the Z brakes and corners better than the Audi did (with A/S tires).

spearfish25 · 12-21-2009, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeto

I paid $1500 for a 2001 Audi A4 Quattro with 6 airbags with 140,000 miles with Blizzaks. The term "piece of crap car" is relative in this case. I DD'ed an S2000 and I had many close calls. Lesson learned. In any case there are very good deals out there to be had.

I had two Audi's before my Z. The amount of money I spent on repairs once my warranty was up quickly added up on my 2000 A4. For $1200, I went with winter tires and my Z can deal with snow. An old Audi, from my experience, is a money pit.

zcoupe09 · 12-21-2009, 01:19 PM

what tires can we put on the base model 18s...i want to get the blizzaks....whats the exact size and best place to get them

kannibul · 12-21-2009, 01:26 PM

I dunno, I guess I go with the point of driving a POS in winter, because it's not just my driving ability that I have to worry about, it's other people.

But hey, it's your car. Hope you have GAP insurance.

DooDooBrown · 12-21-2009, 01:49 PM

Hey man, I was going through the same issue that you are going through right now. A little about myself, I live in West Virgina, and work in the Washington DC area as a professional firefighter. Unlike other government employees, we get no liberal leave days, and when everything is closed, we still got to go to work. I was thinking I would just take it easy with my Z, as it was my daily driver, and I could get through the snow.... THEN REALITY SET IN!!
The Z is a sports car, and it was built as such. As the temps went below the 40 degree mark, the tires started losing their grip, and what little amount of ice I did drive over was terrifiying. Sure, you could put snow tires on your Z, but that doesn't change the fact that it still has 330 horses going to the back wheels, and the car sits close to the ground. So, even if you could get over the fact that your have a lot of power to the rear wheels (which are, by the way, summer performance tires), you wont be able to get far, as it is close to the ground.
Some members on this site have outfitted their Z's with winter tires and rims. I believe that is going to run you somewhere around 1500 dollars. That is great, but remember, you are still going to be subjecting your car to the salt, and overall grime that is going to get all up over and in your car. Not to mention the overall danger of wrecking it! Do yourself a favor, and get a beater.... I just purchased a 96 Jeep Grand Cherokee, fully loaded for $2000.00 . That is 500 more that what a set of winter tires and rims will cost you, and you can keep your Z in the garage. I know for a fact that Jeeps don't hold their value AT ALL, and you can get a nice one for just a little more than you could by the tires for.
The Z wasnt made for the snow, and you will only be subjecting yourself to a very long, stressful, and perhaps costly winter!
Hope this helps!

On another note, there are members who drive their Z's during winter, through snowy conditions. My hat is off to them, they are better drivers and got more balls than I do!

kraphy · 12-21-2009, 02:59 PM

I seriously am considering getting rid of my Z because of how horrible it drove in the snow. Not even a small amount of snow is drivable. Today I'm going to look at Nissan Versas. If I'm gonna keep the Z...only time will tell.

Is it possible to transfer the car and the payments over to someone else easily? I'm looking for potential buyers.

ChrisSlicks · 12-21-2009, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kraphy

I seriously am considering getting rid of my Z because of how horrible it drove in the snow. Not even a small amount of snow is drivable. Today I'm going to look at Nissan Versas. If I'm gonna keep the Z...only time will tell.

Is it possible to transfer the car and the payments over to someone else easily? I'm looking for potential buyers.

Uh ... tires? You can't drive any vehicle with Summer tires in any amount of snow ... period. You should have checked this out going in. Buy 18" Winter tires if you have 18" wheels and be happy, or get a cheap winter vehicle.

12-21-2009, 01:47 AM	#16 (permalink)
NYBladeZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New York Posts: 2,158 Drives: Lotus Exige S Rep Power: 20	honestly, I keep the Z garaged and drive a camry __________________ 2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold 2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling

12-21-2009, 07:52 AM	#21 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	So instead of driving my Z with Blizzaks, I'm supposed to risk my life in a $1200 piece of crap car with bald tires that someone put 100,000 miles on? I don't see how that's a better alternative. Parking spaces are also a premium in big cities. Having an extra car then costs you another pretty penny to either put the Z in storage or buy another space. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

12-21-2009, 01:49 PM	#28 (permalink)
DooDooBrown Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ranson, WV Posts: 178 Drives: 09 370 Touring w/spt Rep Power: 16	Hey man, I was going through the same issue that you are going through right now. A little about myself, I live in West Virgina, and work in the Washington DC area as a professional firefighter. Unlike other government employees, we get no liberal leave days, and when everything is closed, we still got to go to work. I was thinking I would just take it easy with my Z, as it was my daily driver, and I could get through the snow.... THEN REALITY SET IN!! The Z is a sports car, and it was built as such. As the temps went below the 40 degree mark, the tires started losing their grip, and what little amount of ice I did drive over was terrifiying. Sure, you could put snow tires on your Z, but that doesn't change the fact that it still has 330 horses going to the back wheels, and the car sits close to the ground. So, even if you could get over the fact that your have a lot of power to the rear wheels (which are, by the way, summer performance tires), you wont be able to get far, as it is close to the ground. Some members on this site have outfitted their Z's with winter tires and rims. I believe that is going to run you somewhere around 1500 dollars. That is great, but remember, you are still going to be subjecting your car to the salt, and overall grime that is going to get all up over and in your car. Not to mention the overall danger of wrecking it! Do yourself a favor, and get a beater.... I just purchased a 96 Jeep Grand Cherokee, fully loaded for $2000.00 . That is 500 more that what a set of winter tires and rims will cost you, and you can keep your Z in the garage. I know for a fact that Jeeps don't hold their value AT ALL, and you can get a nice one for just a little more than you could by the tires for. The Z wasnt made for the snow, and you will only be subjecting yourself to a very long, stressful, and perhaps costly winter! Hope this helps! On another note, there are members who drive their Z's during winter, through snowy conditions. My hat is off to them, they are better drivers and got more balls than I do! Last edited by DooDooBrown; 12-21-2009 at 01:53 PM.

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12-21-2009, 01:57 AM	#17 (permalink)
Ken Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: AB Posts: 23 Drives: 2009 PW 370 M6 Rep Power: 16	Yeah as most others have said here, it's not a great choice for the parts of North America that get crappy winters. The best bet is to park it from Nov - Feb and have a Winter car/truck to use for that time period. I'm in Western Canada and I do see 350's and 370's being driven year round with winter tires on them but even with the best Winter tires the car is still marginal at best for that kind of weather.....why risk it, not to mention bad Winters are not great for the body, paint, moldings, etc of the car.

12-21-2009, 01:19 PM	#26 (permalink)
zcoupe09 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: tri-state Posts: 312 Drives: 09 370z Touring m6 Rep Power: 16	what tires can we put on the base model 18s...i want to get the blizzaks....whats the exact size and best place to get them

12-21-2009, 01:26 PM	#27 (permalink)
kannibul A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 2,281 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 267	I dunno, I guess I go with the point of driving a POS in winter, because it's not just my driving ability that I have to worry about, it's other people. But hey, it's your car. Hope you have GAP insurance.

12-21-2009, 02:59 PM	#29 (permalink)
kraphy Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Browns Mills, NJ Posts: 17 Drives: 09 370Z/Mont Blu/6MT Rep Power: 16	I seriously am considering getting rid of my Z because of how horrible it drove in the snow. Not even a small amount of snow is drivable. Today I'm going to look at Nissan Versas. If I'm gonna keep the Z...only time will tell. Is it possible to transfer the car and the payments over to someone else easily? I'm looking for potential buyers.