Anybody planning on driving your Z in winter?

Goose · 03-04-2009, 05:49 PM

I'm thinking about getting a new 370, but it would be my only car. In your opinions, could a Z be driven through a midwest winter with snow tires? Guys that have done winter with a 350, how was your experience?

Has anybody priced the standard 18" wheels? I know aftermarket wheels can be cheaper/lighter, but I'm more confident with OEM durability. Ideally, I'd get the 370 with the Sport package and use a set of OEM 18's for snows.

Thoughts?

takimbe · 03-04-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goose

I'm thinking about getting a new 370, but it would be my only car. In your opinions, could a Z be driven through a midwest winter with snow tires? Guys that have done winter with a 350, how was your experience?

Has anybody priced the standard 18" wheels? I know aftermarket wheels can be cheaper/lighter, but I'm more confident with OEM durability. Ideally, I'd get the 370 with the Sport package and use a set of OEM 18's for snows.

Thoughts?

I live in So Cal, so yes, I will be driving my Z during the winter. As for the midwest or east coast, when I lived there for work, I just avoided driving in general. If i had to drive, id drive my truck. Z doesnt seem like it would handle all that great during inclement conditions.

RCZ · 03-04-2009, 06:06 PM

hahaha all year round.

dad · 03-04-2009, 06:30 PM

Snow tires or not, I'd hate to be stuck!

Just Picked up my Monterey Blue 370Z **Pics Inside**

Goose · 03-04-2009, 06:38 PM

Thanks for the link, dad.

While I wouldn't expect the 370z to plow through deep snow, I would hope that the right tires would make winter bearable.

StLRedrider · 03-04-2009, 06:56 PM

No, i have a lifted Ford F-250 4x4. This will not be my everyday driver. Man thats some serious snow.

AK370Z · 03-04-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dad

Snow tires or not, I'd hate to be stuck!

Just Picked up my Monterey Blue 370Z **Pics Inside**

Sucks to be that guy

!

J/K that's me! DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT drive 370Z in snow. It's lights, it's got way too much power and the tires that it comes with freezes (loses traction) if temp drops below 32 F! Please use public transportation or a beater if you live in a state that gets a lot of snow.

If you really want to drive your Z in snow, I highly suggest you to do the following:

a. Get some really good snow tires.

b. TWO 50lbs sand bags in the trunk.

c. Get some snow driving tips (i.e. slow acceleration, no acceleration during turning, 2nd gear start etc)

I will never drive my Z in the snow, again. Lesson learned.

m4a1mustang · 03-04-2009, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK370Z

Sucks to be that guy

!

J/K that's me! DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT drive 370Z in snow. It's lights, it's got way too much power and the tires that it comes with freezes (loses traction) if temp drops below 32 F! Please use public transportation or a beater if you live in a state that gets a lot of snow.

If you really want to drive your Z in snow, I highly suggest you to do the following:

a. Get some really good snow tires.

b. TWO 50lbs sand bags in the trunk.

c. Get some snow driving tips (i.e. slow acceleration, no acceleration during turning, 2nd gear start etc)

I will never drive my Z in the snow, again. Lesson learned.

Hehe, I will be driving my Z in the snow. I drove both my Mustangs in the snow so I have quite a bit of experience with powerful RWD cars and snow. It's not too bad, you just have to be very careful, and hopefully have some pretty decent all seasons at least. I've never driven with snow tires... just good all seasons.

A little light snow isn't that bad. Obviously deep snow is going to be tough and make it more likely for you to get stuck... but if there are only a couple inches on the road and you absolutely have to get somewhere, you should be able to make it!

ENT-Z · 03-04-2009, 07:30 PM

I'm going to try to drive mine (as in my future Z, wish I had one right now) most of the year. But when it actually snows I'm going with my wife's car and she can stay home (Audi w/ quattro - it would've eaten up that snow in AK370z's pics). I would like to put some 18s with snow tires or all seasons on, but I'm worried they won't fit over the big brakes on the sport package....

Goose · 03-04-2009, 09:06 PM

Good point on the Sport package brakes. I didn't realize there might be a clearance issue with 18" wheels.

frost · 03-04-2009, 09:07 PM

All the time, of course, it doesn't snow here ... or rain for that matter.

Anatoray · 03-04-2009, 09:54 PM

I plan to drive through the snow, as the Z is my only car now. In Louisville we hardly ever get snow, but when we do, **** gets crazy here, lol. I plan to use blizzaks, as they worked rather well on my cousin's S2000. We could never do anything extreme in the snow with them, but safe driving technique made things more than possible. I would NOT do it in anything over 2 inches though. 3 maaaaaaaaaaaaaybe if my wife was giving birth and for some god awful reason the Z was the only option.

Jackyll · 03-04-2009, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goose

Good point on the Sport package brakes. I didn't realize there might be a clearance issue with 18" wheels.

Yeah, I read somewhere on here and in a magazine the other day that the base 18s don't fit over the sport brakes. Gonna have to get another set of 19s or just have the tires unmounted/mounted every winter

clamphibian · 03-04-2009, 10:37 PM

I've driven mine in the snow a few times. Its pretty awful with the stock tires. Hard to get goin but once you're up to speed it does alright. Traction control isn't much help either.

pagefaulted · 03-05-2009, 12:22 AM

Yes! RWD is much fun in the snow. I'm not kidding!

03-04-2009, 05:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Goose Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: the cornfields of Ohio Posts: 8 Drives: boring '08 Yaris Rep Power: 16	Anybody planning on driving your Z in winter? I'm thinking about getting a new 370, but it would be my only car. In your opinions, could a Z be driven through a midwest winter with snow tires? Guys that have done winter with a 350, how was your experience? Has anybody priced the standard 18" wheels? I know aftermarket wheels can be cheaper/lighter, but I'm more confident with OEM durability. Ideally, I'd get the 370 with the Sport package and use a set of OEM 18's for snows. Thoughts?

03-04-2009, 06:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 26	Snow tires or not, I'd hate to be stuck! Just Picked up my Monterey Blue 370Z Pics Inside __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

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03-04-2009, 06:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
RCZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami Posts: 6,403 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 1119	hahaha all year round.

03-04-2009, 06:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
Goose Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: the cornfields of Ohio Posts: 8 Drives: boring '08 Yaris Rep Power: 16	Thanks for the link, dad. While I wouldn't expect the 370z to plow through deep snow, I would hope that the right tires would make winter bearable.

03-04-2009, 06:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
StLRedrider A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St.louis,Mo Posts: 17,755 Drives: O9Sprt/Touring,p-51 Rep Power: 60	No, i have a lifted Ford F-250 4x4. This will not be my everyday driver. Man thats some serious snow.

03-04-2009, 07:30 PM	#9 (permalink)
ENT-Z Enthusiast Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 460 Drives: 09 MB 6MT 370Z Rep Power: 16	I'm going to try to drive mine (as in my future Z, wish I had one right now) most of the year. But when it actually snows I'm going with my wife's car and she can stay home (Audi w/ quattro - it would've eaten up that snow in AK370z's pics). I would like to put some 18s with snow tires or all seasons on, but I'm worried they won't fit over the big brakes on the sport package....

03-04-2009, 09:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
Goose Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: the cornfields of Ohio Posts: 8 Drives: boring '08 Yaris Rep Power: 16	Good point on the Sport package brakes. I didn't realize there might be a clearance issue with 18" wheels.

03-04-2009, 09:54 PM	#12 (permalink)
Anatoray Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 794 Drives: 09 BLK 370Z Rep Power: 17	I plan to drive through the snow, as the Z is my only car now. In Louisville we hardly ever get snow, but when we do, **** gets crazy here, lol. I plan to use blizzaks, as they worked rather well on my cousin's S2000. We could never do anything extreme in the snow with them, but safe driving technique made things more than possible. I would NOT do it in anything over 2 inches though. 3 maaaaaaaaaaaaaybe if my wife was giving birth and for some god awful reason the Z was the only option.

03-04-2009, 10:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
clamphibian Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milford, MA Posts: 24 Drives: 85 Citation x-11 Rep Power: 16	I've driven mine in the snow a few times. Its pretty awful with the stock tires. Hard to get goin but once you're up to speed it does alright. Traction control isn't much help either.

03-05-2009, 12:22 AM	#15 (permalink)
pagefaulted Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Seattle Age: 41 Posts: 30 Drives: 370z Base + Sport PG Rep Power: 16	Yes! RWD is much fun in the snow. I'm not kidding!