I'm getting my Z soon! Should i still have a winter car?
 

Well, the days are getting closer until my Z will finally be ordered! I am having a bit of a situation though which is begining to worry me.

I live in Totonto Canada where the weather can be snowy for almost half the year. I really do not want to take a brand new sportscar going into winter and go sloshing through the snow in it, but in reality, that's what i will havw to do if i keep the Z as my only car, and i'm sure the Z isn't even built for this type of weather.

Presently, I have a 2002 RSX and I have really been enjoying it. The reason why I am getting the Z has been my dream car since the concept was released and I needed another car in the meantime, which is where I got the rsx. If I can afford it, is it wise to keep the rsx for my winter/bad-weather car? The rsx does actually handle quite well in the winter once i put blizzak's on. Or can the 350 cope alright in the winter?

In one way i want to keep my new 350 out of the rain and snow and in another way I feel like having an extra ~$20K to put down on the 350.

Lastly, if i CAN'T afford the 2 cars, is there a model that is better suited for winter? e.g. track v.s. touring? I still would want performance in the warm months, but security of TCS in the bad months.

Thanks for all the help, I hope I can sort out this dilema!

Don't expect the Z to do well in any snow over 2 or 3 inches being rear wheel drive. If you can afford it keep another car for the storms. That car is way too nice to chance in bad weather, its not you that would hit but someone else would.

Just a followup question, you said you have not ordered the Z yet, has the dealer told you how long of a wait for it. Maybe winter will be over by then.

I expect to place the order within this week. He says that the car should be ready in about 3 months from the order date.

True, I might get the car in the spring, but i would still have to worry about next winter. I've never had a car nearly as nice as the Z before, and I know that the Z is a true sportscar, so Ideally, I would only want to drive it in good weather, preferably even not much in the rain. ust thinking about driving it in the snow seems like i would be abusing it.

rain is no problem, I have driven in torential storms since I got the car, it hasnt stopped raining in GA at all. I was going down a street at about 45-50, and hit a puddle that must have been VERY deep (it was dark, didnt even see it) well the car kept going like a champ, no hydroplaning or swerving. I just stayed on the throttle and drove through it. it was the type where you can hear it bouncing in front of the car and onto the fenders, and the splash hits the hood.

as for snow. we dont get much of that. but its a 3200lb rwd car. all there is to it. it does have VDC which is better than not. but it also has wide tires, so as youd expect, a set of snow tires would be very good. but in canada I would think thats a given to get snow tires.

Once again.......
 

I live just south of the border from you in western NY. If you don't want to keep a big ticket second car, get a cheaper winter vehicle. Believe me they are readily available and the few hundred dollars spent will easily be repaid in a nice fresh z-car every spring.

I still don't understand why anyone would take a new $30k+ car, much less a true SPORTS car, and torture it with unsafe, slippery and corrosive road conditions when there are realistic alternatives. For those of us who do not live in year-round dry, warm weather IMO it is the only option.

Really gives you another great reason to look forward to spring anyway!

:rolleyes:

But if it were you, you wouldn't drive the Z in the snow?
I would be terrified to drive a rwd car in the winter. Not only is this car rwd, but it's a 287hp rwd car! This will be my first rwd car all together, so i don't know what to expect.

winter driving
 

Hi up in Canada. I agree with tpfalkowski . Read my thread on " First winter test of 350Z" currently on page 6or 7 today in the general forum ( 11/11/02.I hope it helps .


Frank

I'd get a winter car, if I were you. I live in friggin' Texas, I don't know what snow looks like, but I still won't drive my Z in nasty weather when I get it.

If you can't afford to keep the RSX, I'm sure you can find an alright "winter" car that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Just be sure to take care of that Z! I've alredy read about one guy spinning out on ice and messing up his car. I don't want to have to read about another one! ;)

if it were me? well Id be more worried about salt on my car... thatd be number one because regaurdless of how it handles, and whether someone else hits you. this will be a problem. then those other 2 things are a problem as well.

I drove in snow a few times(nothing major of course) and mostly ice actually, in a rwd pick up. lots of torque from a 5.9l V8. of course it had large tires. it got around. but it also got stick in a parking lot once, had to back off the ice to get anywhere. wouldnt go foward at all.

thanks for the advice guys, it looks like i will try to work out a winter car. I will just find other means of a down payment rather than counting on getting it from the rsx.

The only problem i see now would be resisting the temptation to take the Z out all winter:(

I drove my 300TT in Boston last winter with Blizzaks. It wasn't too bad, but we dont get too much snow here at any one time (2 - 3 inches usually, and not too often). I never would have tried it in Chicago, we got snow so much more frequently there and more of it when we did - I suspect the same is true where you live. The other thing though is that salt really degrades automotive finishes. Rust on rotors that streaks your wheels, mottled, dull finishes on exposed aluminum parts (suspension, etc) and salt accululation in cracks and crevices resulting in rust around windows and locks really takes it's toll after a while.

Finally, if you've never driven RWD in winter in particular, I'd keep an alternate winter ride. At the very least for the days its actually snowing before the roads are cleared.

My 350s staying inside this winter - I bought a PT Cruiser as a daily driver and summer commuter.

joe

the salt issue was also on my list, Especially since I am getting the Z in black!

At least on a silver rsx the salt just seems to blend in somehow, from far back at least.

I also wonder how long the aluminum suspension would take the salt before rusting. aluminum rusts right?

I donno if the rsx is the perfect beater tho. Im thinkin like an old school compact pickup with power and clearance. maybe even an old jeep. somethin with 4wd.

Actually, aluminum does not rust. Aluminum oxidizes, but it never actually "rusts" like steel does. Oxidized aluminum, just looks like, what most of us know as brushed aluminum. (I knew 2nd year chemistry would pay off one day:D )

Yea, the rsx is by no means a good winter car. It is, though, fwd, and i had few problems getting around in it last year. I could get an old jeep, but if i stick with my 4-banger i still will have the great gas milage, which is something i love in the rsx. If the weather really get's bad, i will just stay home that day, but that only happens once or twice a year.