Question for Minnesota or Midwest 370z owners

Colbizle · 03-21-2011, 12:31 AM

After poking around on this site for the past month I finally decide to register and ask a question. I am seriously considering buying a 370z as I have fell completely in love with the vehicle while looking to buy a new/used car and of course I have some questions on winter use of this car.

I know this question has been asked many times as I did do some research on here before asking it. But, I am looking for some more opinions especially after this last winter and snow storms that covered the midwest, specifically Minnesota.

Considering snow tires are a must.. Did you drive you 370z in the winter this year? If so, How well did your 370z fair in the Minnesota or Midwest winter these past couple of months??? (Especially in tough areas around the metro)

I am considering if I should keep my current vehicle (honda civic) as a winter beater and then buy the 370z and swap when the snow really hits. But, If I can avoid the extra costs all together.. well that would just be more convenient.

I would really like to hear some opinions from owners that actually experienced driving their Zs this winter. Thanks in advance!

Oh and I currently live in Bloomington. (For all you other Minnesotans out there)

Cell · 03-21-2011, 12:58 AM

Garaged my car for the winter... no idea how it is but I did drive a SUV.

If you got near 2 foot of snow like we did in Chicago then you will not be able to drive the Z even with snow tires. You will just push snow. Other than that if you had snow tires you would be fine.

TreeSemdyZee · 03-21-2011, 02:21 AM

IMO if you can drive a Civic in the snow, you can drive the Z with snow tires.

kenchan · 03-21-2011, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeSemdyZee

IMO if you can drive a Civic in the snow, you can drive the Z with snow tires.

Nnnnn, false.

you really can't drive rwd on bad snow days even with snows.
I too have a pos dd with snow tires for winter.

TreeSemdyZee · 03-21-2011, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

Nnnnn, false.

you really can't drive rwd on bad snow days even with snows.
I too have a pos dd with snow tires for winter.

False back at ya.
I've driven the last two winters with snow tires on the Z.
Remember when ALL cars were RWD?

kenchan · 03-21-2011, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeSemdyZee

False back at ya.
I've driven the last two winters with snow tires on the Z.
Remember when ALL cars were RWD?

Screw you I have a better looking detailing cart so there! You can't win.

spearfish25 · 03-21-2011, 07:47 AM

If I 1) had a Civic already and 2) had an extra garage parking space, I'd have kept it for the winter. You can certainly get by with the Z. However, driving a Z with snow tires takes away all the machismo fun of the car...you might as well be driving a Civic. We also just worked on our Zs yesterday and one of our friends keeps his in the garage all winter. His car looked showroom new underneath while ours were caked with dirt and grime. Would I like to have a perfect looking Z? Sure. It's just not possible with my current living situation. I wouldn't let winter stop you from owning one though...no regrets here!

haggomyeggo · 03-21-2011, 08:58 AM

Dude I like in or around the STL area. I havent driven the 370 in snow yet but I had a 350Z before and i just kept all weather tires on it. and i never had a problem. With the VDC system in the car it never slid as long as i drove normal and wasnt trying to crash.

Now the 370 I plan on getting a dedicated set of winter wheels and tires. I also have the option of driving a family suburban if needs be so i think it comes down to how much snow you get. Yeah if there is like 6in on the ground i would leave the Z at home. otherwise get some winter tires or at least some all seasons with light snow rating and go for it. Just make sure you wash the car good especially the underbody afterward to get rid of all the salt and whatever else they put on the roads.

oh and in case you havent see it,this is worth a good top gear laugh and it includes snow.

Colbizle · 03-21-2011, 01:39 PM

Thank you for everyone response! It's great hearing ppl opinions. Anyone else have experience to share as well?

tmjohansen · 03-21-2011, 02:43 PM

I haven't driven the Z in snow, but did my 2007 G35 with snow tires. I didn't get stuck once in the 3 years of snow. It is low, so if you are smart about not trying to plow through drifts you are good.

Colbizle · 03-21-2011, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmjohansen

I haven't driven the Z in snow, but did my 2007 G35 with snow tires. I didn't get stuck once in the 3 years of snow. It is low, so if you are smart about not trying to plow through drifts you are good.

Ya like my Civic is fairly low to the ground and it did just find this last winter. Growing up I had Manual Ford Probe GT which was super low to the ground with fat racing tires and I don't ever recall being stuck.

Was the G35 a RWD as well?

370Zapper · 03-21-2011, 02:59 PM

Drove my Z all during winter here in Wisconsin. Just having a good set of snow tires made a difference and was in fact better then my 2 previous vehicles (both of which where FWD).

People that say the Z can't be driven in the snow just do not know how to drive in it in the first place.

Colbizle · 03-21-2011, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zapper

Drove my Z all during winter here in Wisconsin. Just having a good set of snow tires made a difference and was in fact better then my 2 previous vehicles (both of which where FWD).

People that say the Z can't be driven in the snow just do not know how to drive in it in the first place.

370Zapper · 03-21-2011, 03:05 PM

Also, Cowboy Bebop rules!

kenchan · 03-21-2011, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 370Zapper

People that say the Z can't be driven in the snow just do not know how to drive in it in the first place.

you could drive it in reverse and make it into a fwd car.

03-21-2011, 12:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
Colbizle Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 115 Drives: MB 370z Rep Power: 15	Question for Minnesota or Midwest 370z owners After poking around on this site for the past month I finally decide to register and ask a question. I am seriously considering buying a 370z as I have fell completely in love with the vehicle while looking to buy a new/used car and of course I have some questions on winter use of this car. I know this question has been asked many times as I did do some research on here before asking it. But, I am looking for some more opinions especially after this last winter and snow storms that covered the midwest, specifically Minnesota. Considering snow tires are a must.. Did you drive you 370z in the winter this year? If so, How well did your 370z fair in the Minnesota or Midwest winter these past couple of months??? (Especially in tough areas around the metro) I am considering if I should keep my current vehicle (honda civic) as a winter beater and then buy the 370z and swap when the snow really hits. But, If I can avoid the extra costs all together.. well that would just be more convenient. I would really like to hear some opinions from owners that actually experienced driving their Zs this winter. Thanks in advance! Oh and I currently live in Bloomington. (For all you other Minnesotans out there)

03-21-2011, 07:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1857	If I 1) had a Civic already and 2) had an extra garage parking space, I'd have kept it for the winter. You can certainly get by with the Z. However, driving a Z with snow tires takes away all the machismo fun of the car...you might as well be driving a Civic. We also just worked on our Zs yesterday and one of our friends keeps his in the garage all winter. His car looked showroom new underneath while ours were caked with dirt and grime. Would I like to have a perfect looking Z? Sure. It's just not possible with my current living situation. I wouldn't let winter stop you from owning one though...no regrets here! __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

03-21-2011, 02:43 PM	#10 (permalink)
tmjohansen Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Omaha,NE Posts: 230 Drives: 40th Anniversary Z Rep Power: 15	I haven't driven the Z in snow, but did my 2007 G35 with snow tires. I didn't get stuck once in the 3 years of snow. It is low, so if you are smart about not trying to plow through drifts you are good. __________________ 2010 40th Anniversary 2003 Toyota Highlander Limited Nebraska Huskers Boston Red Sox

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Canadian 370z owners Question	Cafiax	Forced Induction	8	03-19-2011 04:26 PM
Question to the auto 370z owners....	Ryno1980	New 370Z Owner	5	03-30-2010 07:29 PM
Question for the 370z owners with an aftermarket exhaust	armensti	Intake/Exhaust	8	10-27-2009 11:55 PM
Question for Z owners	ozzfest	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	2	04-24-2009 12:08 PM
Question for all the 370z Owners	armensti	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	17	04-13-2009 08:08 PM

03-21-2011, 12:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cell A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,449 Drives: A Garbage Truck Rep Power: 22	Garaged my car for the winter... no idea how it is but I did drive a SUV. If you got near 2 foot of snow like we did in Chicago then you will not be able to drive the Z even with snow tires. You will just push snow. Other than that if you had snow tires you would be fine.

03-21-2011, 02:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 61 Posts: 4,886 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27409	IMO if you can drive a Civic in the snow, you can drive the Z with snow tires.

03-21-2011, 08:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
haggomyeggo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: IL Posts: 1,723 Drives: Steves old cars Rep Power: 18	Dude I like in or around the STL area. I havent driven the 370 in snow yet but I had a 350Z before and i just kept all weather tires on it. and i never had a problem. With the VDC system in the car it never slid as long as i drove normal and wasnt trying to crash. Now the 370 I plan on getting a dedicated set of winter wheels and tires. I also have the option of driving a family suburban if needs be so i think it comes down to how much snow you get. Yeah if there is like 6in on the ground i would leave the Z at home. otherwise get some winter tires or at least some all seasons with light snow rating and go for it. Just make sure you wash the car good especially the underbody afterward to get rid of all the salt and whatever else they put on the roads. oh and in case you havent see it,this is worth a good top gear laugh and it includes snow.

03-21-2011, 01:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
Colbizle Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 115 Drives: MB 370z Rep Power: 15	Thank you for everyone response! It's great hearing ppl opinions. Anyone else have experience to share as well?

03-21-2011, 02:59 PM	#12 (permalink)
370Zapper Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 116 Drives: PG auto/sport 370Z Rep Power: 16	Drove my Z all during winter here in Wisconsin. Just having a good set of snow tires made a difference and was in fact better then my 2 previous vehicles (both of which where FWD). People that say the Z can't be driven in the snow just do not know how to drive in it in the first place.

03-21-2011, 03:05 PM	#14 (permalink)
370Zapper Base Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 116 Drives: PG auto/sport 370Z Rep Power: 16	Also, Cowboy Bebop rules!