OK, so based on what I've read here, driving on the stock 18" tires in the snow is a bad idea. But what about the stock 17" tires? Are they any better in the snow, or do I still need to get snow tires?

 

NO.

it snowed mildly in new york wendsday abought 1 1/2 on LI

AND I TRIED IT WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL OFF VERRY BAD .
i stayed under 40 but was spinning out easilly especially on turns.

WITH TRACTION ON.

i was okay going straight at a slow speed but when turning or accelerating from a start i was slipping .

just go slow or use a front wheel drive car in the snow

 

For driving in snow tire width is a lot more significant than height. The wider a tire is, the harder it is to drive in snow (generally speaking).

But for the most part all RWD cars a bit tricky to drive in the snow, but with experience they can be much easier.

Two years ago I drove my 90 Firebird Formula(automatic) all winter. It didn't have ABS, and I got stuck 3 times I think.
Last winter I drove my Z28 all winter, and didn't get stuck once, even in fairly deep snow.

I will say, manual RWD cars seem much easier to work with in the snow than auto's.

Oddly the best car I have ever driven in the snow was a 2002 M6 Corvette. With active handling on it handled better than any other car I have driven in the snow. Couldn't accelerate too fast, but the computer took care of most of the normal problems.

Anyway, now that I have experience driving RWD cars (wide tired RWD cars in fact) I don't mind it so much, and in a few ways prefer it. Although I can't specifically speak for how a 350Z handles in snow.

 

Driving RWD in the snow can be lots of fun and is great practice for opposite-lock drifting, and recovering when the tail swings out. I used to love doing this when I lived in Toronto (usually at low speeds) and it taught me a lot. Here in California most drivers have trouble even in the rain, and there are lots of accidents when the road is wet. There's nothing like snow to teach you how to handle a skid! (I still wouldn't drive my Z in the snow on a regular basis, though.)

Have fun! (But not TOO much fun, or you may end up in a bad situation!)

 

Please... we only get like 2-3 snow storms year. Dont be crazy and you should be fine. I have 18"s and it's not great but OK...