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

sascuderi · 12-20-2009, 10:05 AM

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?

m4a1mustang · 12-20-2009, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sascuderi

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.

speedworks · 12-20-2009, 10:32 AM

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.

FricFrac · 12-21-2009, 01:14 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?

PapoZalsa · 12-20-2009, 11:00 AM

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.

kannibul · 12-20-2009, 11:14 AM

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.

Urbanracer · 12-20-2009, 11:15 AM

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.

areyouin729 · 12-20-2009, 12:56 PM

I have plenty of PTO stored up

schrute · 12-21-2009, 02:21 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...

Zeto · 12-20-2009, 01:23 PM

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.

kenchan · 12-20-2009, 01:39 PM

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.

spearfish25 · 12-20-2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

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.

azn1515 · 12-20-2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

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..

Znewb · 12-20-2009, 01:39 PM

Just had a couple snow storms in NJ. I got snow tires on my z and it handled well enough.

spearfish25 · 12-20-2009, 05:01 PM

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

.

12-20-2009, 10:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
sascuderi Base Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: South Jersey Posts: 12 Drives: 2000 I30 Rep Power: 16	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?

12-20-2009, 11:00 AM	#5 (permalink)
PapoZalsa A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Not in Sunny Florida Posts: 6,358 Drives: 16 Nismo w/Tech Pack Rep Power: 4500	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

12-20-2009, 11:15 AM	#7 (permalink)
Urbanracer Enthusiast Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: The mid-west, USA Posts: 266 Drives: God's Chariot Rep Power: 16	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

12-20-2009, 05:01 PM	#15 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1857	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

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12-20-2009, 10:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
speedworks Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 550 Drives: PW purchased 01/09 Rep Power: 18	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.

12-20-2009, 11:14 AM	#6 (permalink)
kannibul A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 2,281 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 267	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.

12-20-2009, 12:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
areyouin729 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Conshohocken Age: 43 Posts: 301 Drives: 2009 370Z Rep Power: 17	I have plenty of PTO stored up

12-20-2009, 01:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
Zeto Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North NJ Age: 41 Posts: 766 Drives: 09 Pearl White 370Z Rep Power: 268	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.

12-20-2009, 01:39 PM	#11 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	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.

12-20-2009, 01:39 PM	#14 (permalink)
Znewb Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NJ Posts: 20 Drives: 2009 370z m6 Rep Power: 16	Just had a couple snow storms in NJ. I got snow tires on my z and it handled well enough.