When it snow, my Z don't go. I'll use my wifes' xc 70 with awd (and a cbe, cai-that she doesn't know about):stirthepot:

You're damn right he has! :)

The previous few posts have summed it up.

My take is this:

You need snow tires and VDC (I've never been stuck with snow tires, never needed to turn off VDC). There is no need for studs or chains. And RWD in itself isn't a problem.

Ride height and being a snow plow is only an issue during monster storms when the plows haven't done their job yet or if you live in a rural area that isn't plowed. I have a backup plan of borrowing my inlaws' car if a big storm is about to hit. I'd suggest you have an idea of something to do in the event you get one of these freak snow days.

Otherwise, the Z is perfectly capable of surviving the winter on snow tires. Just realize the Z is no longer a performance car in these conditions and you'll be fine.

I drove through some massive snow storms last winter and the Z was fine. I was kinda bummed to have spent $1200 on snow tires but it was well worth it. The rear end does like to come out but if you back off on the gas, it behaves right away.

If you drive sanely, the Z can handle winter well.

Blizzaks right? Were you running stock wheels as well? Any ride height issues? That's a big fear for my as I'm afraid if snow starts to build up on those two lips in front of the front tires. Do you throw any sand or weight in the rear end of the car?

What was the most snow you have driven it in?

Thanks boss.

Did you have snow tires on? If so do you think it would've made enough of a difference?

We had between 10-12" one night and I drove the next morning. Of course, there wasn't that much on the road. I let the "morning people" move it out of the way. :driving:

I have Blizzak LM-60s on 18R225 wheels. That's the smallest wheel I could find that fits over the Sport Package brake calipers - you're best off with the smallest and narrowest wheel you can find for snow tires. But like I said, even with that setup the car handled just fine. I've been on freezing cold dry pavement (summer tires would be hockey pucks there) and completely snow-covered roads: no issues. Haven't used snow chains and had plenty of traction to usually start in first.

They were...and because the shop (Belle Tire) didn't have any rims to fit my sport package, I had to dismount the summer rubber and mount the winter rubber on the Rays. The shop took extra care and I didn't suffer any damage to the rims.

I never experienced any issues with ride height. I didn't see any need to put any weight in the trunk and I was fine for traction all winter. I was actually quite suprised (and happy) at how much grip those Blizzaks have in snow. I guess you get what you pay for... :D

Stock tires?

Hey boss thanks for the responses. One more question how was it on a hill in the snow? For the most part here on the island it's flat. However where I work is the highest point. There's some decent hills here and they're one of my major concerns. Thanks again.

If I lived in an area that received regular snow, I would probably have kept my WRX. AWD is awesome in snow!

You'll be fine with blizzaks(or equivalent)

IMO use winter tires in the winter and summer in the summer. But RWD will never be the same as a FWD/AWD car, in a situation where a FWD car in the snow/slush is fine a RWD can be very difficult to drive regardless of tires. You can still drive it in the snow but you'll be much slower then most other cars but who cars about how fast you get where you are going in a snow storm. In the end how ever you can drive in very bad snow storms and be just fine, you just have to be mindful of your car, the road ahead, and the people around you and you'll be fine in any car.