370z and a winter car, what to choose?

iam8up

Still looking around for a 370z. A major problem for me is the three months it snows. Are there any suggestions for a winter car? Is it as simple as buying the cheapest junker around?

Thechidz

Yep. I have a 96 geo that runs like a top. Its also great for driving into the city dont have to worry about it getting dinged cuz i dont care. Runs fine in the snow with some decent winter tires for cheap too. We had a eally mild winter so i ended upmdriving the z anyway. What are you looking for in the z? Year options etc?

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gomer_110

Worked with a guy when I was in college that would just buy the cheapest junker he could find every fall and then ebay it in the spring. He even won out a couple times by parting the beater out in the spring for more than he paid for the whole car.

Personally I drive an '06 tC in the winter, rainy days, and for business travel.

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'17 Titan Bone Stock

iam8up

I'm looking at a 2011 or later. Primarily because of the rear view camera (backing out of a crowded parking lot and I'd hate to lose the camera). That's based off of this thread @ here

This winter I wouldn't have had a problem here in Ohio. But if the snow comes down and I don't have another car, not a lot I can do. I like the fall/spring idea - I might end up doing that. Even if it's a $250 loss it's worth it to me.

steve1ddd

Drove my Z at 9000 ft in the moutains West of denver all winter. Throw some GOOD snow tires on it and its as good as anything else in the snow.

iam8up

Comparable to FWD or AWD? For work I drive an F250 super duty off road - very big, very heavy and AWD - reasonably comfortable in the winter with that thing.

lemon-fresh

I'll probably be picking up a toyota anything awd/4wd. Most likely a rav4.

nismosis

My Z will never see snow, and especially salt. I spent enough time in WI to know what it does to cars that are only a few years old. I picked up a 2003 Cavalier 5spd for winter. Love it.

msb3079

Completely agree. So many don't know what they are missing. It's the TIRES, not the car.
This car is a ton of fun in the snow with the RIGHT tires. I have Blizzaks that I use in the winter and they are amazing. Even in several inches of snow.

I understand people not wanting to beat up their car in the winter... it's not for everyone. But you can still take good care of it. I bought my car to use. I don't want it to sit for months. Also, winter and snow are by far my favorite season... so I need it to mix.

kenchan

^^ this.

even with the routine cleaning i did with the G this winter where we hardly got any deep snow (maybe 4-5 times), she still wore about 3x faster than being hibernated the last 7yrs. it's mostly surface rust but from a detailer's perspective it's very harsh as the bolt heads and frame show more corrosion than before in the wells and undercarriage (including exhaust flanges, etc). driving was not an issue. i ran LM60's.

other then that, no issue. my cabin is clean (used rubber all season floor mats dedicated for winter), paint is still clean, no accelerated wear on the top of the car.

Stealth36

I haven't seen a winter yet while owning the Z but I'm going to garage it and drive my 3000GT in the winter. The Z will not see road salt!

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supunna_picta

If you have no hills and if you don't have big snow for clearance issues then the Z would be okay for short distances on quality snow tires.

Nothing beats awd on snow tires if you're looking for relatively stress free snow travel or if you have hills or deeper snow.

I drove a crappy FWD geo prizm on studded snow tires and that thing was pretty much unstoppable, and I didn't worry about it getting dinged up.

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2011 Touring/Sport/6mt | winter: 2009 WRX

mhcoss

Actually when it comes to climbing hills RWD beats FWD. AWD is of course best but its a pretty common misconception about RWD. Especially a car like the Z with a near 50/50 weight distribution. When you hit an incline more weight shifts to the rear tires = better traction at the rear tires. RWD is fine on snow as long as you are careful not to loose traction. At the end of the day all the cars can stop the same and that is what truly matters....

msb3079

Yeah... it's a valid concern. But for me, it's OK. I take very good care of my cars, but I'm much less anal than I used to be. For me.. the benefit of being able to use it and enjoy it during the winter (my favorite time of year) far outweighs the rest. Personal preference.

LakeShow

Something with AWD.

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