Nissan 370Z Forum  

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

Hello: I am seriously considering getting the Z as my new car, but concerned about the winter. I would need to use the Z as my daily driver but noticed

Go Back   Nissan 370Z Forum > Nissan 370Z General Area > Nissan 370Z General Discussions


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-20-2009, 11:05 AM   #1 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 12
Drives: 2000 I30
Rep Power: 15
sascuderi is on a distinguished road
Default What do you guys in the Northeast do in the winter?

Hello:

I am seriously considering getting the Z as my new car, but concerned about the winter.

I would need to use the Z as my daily driver but noticed they all come stock with summer tires only. Living in the Northeast this could be a problem!

For those in that live in areas that get snow and ice, what do you do? Keep it in the garage until spring? Use snow tires? Replace the stock tires with all season tires? Drive with the stock summer tires and hope for the best?
sascuderi is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2009, 11:11 AM   #2 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
m4a1mustang's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 55,385
Drives: on two wheels
Rep Power: 6962
m4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond reputem4a1mustang has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sascuderi View Post
Hello:

I am seriously considering getting the Z as my new car, but concerned about the winter.

I would need to use the Z as my daily driver but noticed they all come stock with summer tires only. Living in the Northeast this could be a problem!

For those in that live in areas that get snow and ice, what do you do? Keep it in the garage until spring? Use snow tires? Replace the stock tires with all season tires? Drive with the stock summer tires and hope for the best?
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.
__________________
- Steve
MAZOC Meet Thread
Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!)
LIKE us on Facebook!
m4a1mustang is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2009, 11:32 AM   #3 (permalink)
Track Member
 
speedworks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 550
Drives: PW purchased 01/09
Rep Power: 17
speedworks is on a distinguished road
Default

I drive another vehicle during snow days (and the aftermath). Otherwise, if the roads are dry I use the summer tires, and they will grip fine once they warm up. Cold, they aren't dangerous, just don't be a lead foot. If you have to drive in the snow, you have to have another set of tires, and snow tires area awesome in that weather. But, they will wear quickly on dry pavement, especially if you delay changing them out as spring shows up.

If I had to drive my car every day, I would put snow tires on - in other cars I have enjoyed the Michelin Alpins.
speedworks is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2009, 12:00 PM   #4 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
PapoZalsa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Not in Sunny Florida
Posts: 6,358
Drives: 16 Nismo w/Tech Pack
Rep Power: 4500
PapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond reputePapoZalsa has a reputation beyond repute
Default

If I had to drive the Z as a DD in the Winter I would have not bought the car.

I commend the guys who drive the Z in Winter(Snow) but not me. I'm to "picky" about my car, that is why I have a truck as a DD for Winter.
__________________
2009 370Z MB Base w/Sport Package 6MT
Modshack's Custom Air Intakes /3M Clear Bra/ Illuminated Kick Plates / F. I CBE w/12" resonators / EVO-R Front Lip / Rear Hatch Wing / Tein S-Tech Springs /Ilegal Tint in the Rep. of VA/4x20mm Z1 Spacers/ Vinyl Roof/Liquid Carbon Designs
PapoZalsa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2009, 12:14 PM   #5 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Jenks, OK
Posts: 2,281
Drives: 370z Touring/Sport
Rep Power: 267
kannibul has a reputation beyond reputekannibul has a reputation beyond reputekannibul has a reputation beyond reputekannibul has a reputation beyond reputekannibul has a reputation beyond reputekannibul has a reputation beyond reputekannibul has a reputation beyond reputekannibul has a reputation beyond reputekannibul has a reputation beyond reputekannibul has a reputation beyond reputekannibul has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Even here in the mid-south, I won't drive my Z in the winter.

Had it have to be my only mode of transportation, I wouldn't have bought it...instead opting for a truck or SUV, which I have now, that I will drive should I need to in the winter.

Wife and I carpool in her Civic...and there's really not a reason to not carpool since we work fairly close to each other.
kannibul is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2009, 12:15 PM   #6 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
Urbanracer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: The mid-west, USA
Posts: 266
Drives: God's Chariot
Rep Power: 16
Urbanracer is on a distinguished road
Default

I store my Z for the winter, I bought it with no intension of driving it in the snow. I have a maxima as a daily driver and the high performance all seasons are pretty sketchy at best in the snow. I would highly recommend winter tires if you plan on driving in the snow, particularly since its a RWD car. I have Dunlop winter M3's on my maxima, its a decent all around winter tire thats not noisy.

Winter tires usually run 1'' less in diameter then stock, are narrower for getting through slush and snow, and have a much softer tire compound for traction in the cold. Winter tires IMO are a good insurance policy, if they keep you out of one accident they were worth the money.
__________________
09 Nismo - HKS | Berk | HPS | K&N | Zspeed
09 Maxima | 09 CBR 1000RR | 02 CBR F4i
Urbanracer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2009, 01:56 PM   #7 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
areyouin729's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Conshohocken
Age: 43
Posts: 301
Drives: 2009 370Z
Rep Power: 17
areyouin729 is on a distinguished road
Default

I have plenty of PTO stored up
areyouin729 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2009, 02:23 PM   #8 (permalink)
Track Member
 
Zeto's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: North NJ
Age: 40
Posts: 766
Drives: 09 Pearl White 370Z
Rep Power: 267
Zeto has a reputation beyond reputeZeto has a reputation beyond reputeZeto has a reputation beyond reputeZeto has a reputation beyond reputeZeto has a reputation beyond reputeZeto has a reputation beyond reputeZeto has a reputation beyond reputeZeto has a reputation beyond reputeZeto has a reputation beyond reputeZeto has a reputation beyond reputeZeto has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to Zeto
Default

Yea mine is stored in an indoor heated facility. It sleeps next to a ZR1, SLR AMG, 997 911 Turbo, 09 Viper and a Maserati Gran Turismo. It's in good company to say the least lol! I drive an Audi A4 in the winter.
Zeto is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2009, 02:39 PM   #9 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Znewb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 20
Drives: 2009 370z m6
Rep Power: 16
Znewb is on a distinguished road
Default

Just had a couple snow storms in NJ. I got snow tires on my z and it handled well enough.
Znewb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2009, 02:39 PM   #10 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: N/A
Posts: 76,801
Drives: N/A
Rep Power: 141521
kenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond reputekenchan has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Snow tires will help significantly but i have to say it's pretty sad watching folks driving sports cars (roadsters are worse) in the snow all covered in corrosive icemelt and salt.

Just not the right tools for the right job.

Mine has been hibernating since 12/1.
kenchan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2009, 05:04 PM   #11 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
spearfish25's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Naples, FL
Posts: 4,117
Drives: to work
Rep Power: 1856
spearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to spearfish25
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by kenchan View Post
Snow tires will help significantly but i have to say it's pretty sad watching folks driving sports cars (roadsters are worse) in the snow all covered in corrosive icemelt and salt.

Just not the right tools for the right job.

Mine has been hibernating since 12/1.
Some of us can't afford the luxury of a winter car to replace the Z. So, my Z will tolerate snow, salt, slush...it's still a car. I have yet to see any proof that it's built differently and can't tolerate what any other car can take in the way of corrosion.
__________________
2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z
spearfish25 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2009, 05:54 PM   #12 (permalink)
Base Member
 
azn1515's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 20
Drives: Lexus IS-F
Rep Power: 16
azn1515 is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by spearfish25 View Post
Some of us can't afford the luxury of a winter car to replace the Z. So, my Z will tolerate snow, salt, slush...it's still a car. I have yet to see any proof that it's built differently and can't tolerate what any other car can take in the way of corrosion.
Although, I can afford a DD during winter, I most definitely agree. It is still a car..
azn1515 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2009, 06:01 PM   #13 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
spearfish25's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Naples, FL
Posts: 4,117
Drives: to work
Rep Power: 1856
spearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to spearfish25
Default

A few more years and residency will be over. As long as Barack doesn't mess up my reimbursements, I'll have a winter car and summer sports car .
__________________
2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z
spearfish25 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2009, 06:24 PM   #14 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
Pharmacist's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 1,249
Drives: 09 370z Sport 6MT
Rep Power: 18
Pharmacist is a jewel in the roughPharmacist is a jewel in the roughPharmacist is a jewel in the rough
Default

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
Pharmacist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2009, 07:27 PM   #15 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
spearfish25's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Naples, FL
Posts: 4,117
Drives: to work
Rep Power: 1856
spearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond reputespearfish25 has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to spearfish25
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pharmacist View Post
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.
I've been using a yard pesticide sprayer to rinse the car with fresh water after drives in the salt grime. Unfortunately, I think it's more for my peace of mind than any real benefit. I'm going to hit a local self-wash once or twice a week just to remove the road grime layer.
__________________
2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z
spearfish25 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Official NorthEast spotted thread AK370Z North East Region 2909 06-06-2023 09:29 PM
Winter Driving Des570 Mid-Atlantic Region 9 12-14-2009 07:06 PM
Winter cmurda114 Nissan 370Z General Discussions 21 11-19-2009 12:53 AM
Northeast Track Dates for Z Drivers- 2009 Feffman North East Region 5 09-19-2009 07:56 AM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:00 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2