Hello,

This is my first post as the proud new owner of an '05 Silverstone Enthusiast Roadster, and I had a couple questions for the "experts" here...

I live in the northeast, and at least for this winter, need to drive my Z to work and back in some snow. I'm considering selling the stock tires (and maybe wheels) and replacing them with a set of blizzaks or other good all-season tires. I'm also considering upgrading the stock 17s to 18s, but I've heard bigger tires can really hurt you in the snow. Is this true? Any recommendations for good winter/all-season tires? Also, whats a good asking price for an almost brand new (500 miles) set of stock wheels and tires?

Thanks in advance for your help!! I'll add a picture of the new car once I take some...

Jessica

 

I would recommend getting a seperate set of wheels and tires with Blizzaks on them then when winter comes around just swap 'em on. The car will really lose a lot, and I do mean a lot, of performance when you swap from summer tires (even crappy summer tires like the Potenzas).

 

Bigger wider tires should help you with traction. I think the tread type is what's important.I would get two sets of tires, one for snow in the winter and one all season for unexpected weather. Chris from www.discounttiredirect.com can help you out.

BTW welcome

 

A good set of tires will handle alright in both.

 

Thanks for the tips... Are blizzaks strictly winter tires? I think if I'm buying new tires I want to just get one good set of all-seasons so I can avoid switching them around too much, without sacrificing TOO much performance, and sell the potenzas.

What do you other snow drivers have on your Z's?

Jessica

 

I ran blizzaks on my mustang when I lived in Denver. Its a great tire but im sure you will want something else when the snow melts. I would also assume that blizzak tires are not really speed rated for our rides as well. Second set of wheels or a second car is the best way to go.

 

Wider tires are NOT better in the snow. I used to live in Buffalo, NY where it snows 8 months out of the year. The wider the tire, the less weight per sq in, hence less traction. You want your tire to dig through the snow, not ride on top of it.

 

I second that. Wider tires will float on top of compact snow due to less weight per sq inch. Think of the snow shoes thing winter hikers wear. They float on top of tons of snow. You want the narrower tires with lots of treads in winter, so the tires can dig into the snow and actually contact the road.

 

Just splurge and get the both winter and summer rims and tires. When spring comes around you will want to tear up some curves and the winter tires will not perform too well.

 

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Hey Jessica,

Good to see some local people on here...I'm in South Jersey...I bought my '05 Coupe last December and I can tell you that with the RWD and all that torque, the Z can get ornery and skid fairly easy with the stock Bridgestone Potenza performance tires.

Case in point...I was driving up an incline in an Industrial Park last January just after a sizeable snowfall and the back wheels were spinning like mad and the back end was doing the "twist"...Had to slowly and deliberately rock the car back and forth until I could inch up dat damn incline!

Soooo...Get the Blizzaks before Winter comes!! Depending on what route you take to work and where you live, you may not have too much trouble (i.e. Route 95 is generally clear after a snowfall, since Penndot is good at getting the salt on the roads quickly).

Also, have you considered getting a really cheap "beater" car...old Civic or Toyota....hell even, a used Ford Escort will do...JUST for the winter season??

Congrats on the new Z!! Enjoy!