Hi Everyone, this is my first post here. I'm thinking about buying an '03 Touring coupe. Does anyone here live in the snow belt and drive your car year-round? Just wondering if I am going to be kicking myself come December! Any advice would be really appreciated.

 

NY here, this isn't a winter car...even with snow tires...it just isn't...I recommend not driving it year round...Iam sure most people would agree

 

I drove mine last winter and it sucks. But I was running it on pretty bald stock potenzas. Snow tires I would think would make it tolerable but it's not going to be GOOD in the snow.

 

My dealer told me in the spring when I bought the car, I hope you have another vehicle for the winter, because this doesnt do well in bad weather. I do, but of course the Z will be out for some fun in snow filled parking lots in a few months.

 

Yeah that's what I figured. I really just need it to get to work and back which is only 5 miles away but here in Detroit we get a good amount of snow. Why does the car have to be so sexy?! I already fell in love with it and hate to have to be practical!

 

Snow tires would help significantly, if you can splurge. If my s2000 did well in the winter with snow tires, so can this car..

 

Can you drive a 350Z on snow and ice? Yes. Will I drive a 350Z on snow and ice? No. I tried once, and put the Z into a snow bank.

Low-riding high-hp rear wheel drive cars with performance tires are downright dangerous on snow and ice.

 

I rode with a friend last winter in his Z with Blizzaks on and it rode just fine. Of course I wouldnt go speeding around corners in a blizzard with it, but then again, I wouldnt do that in any car. With a set of Blizzaks and a knowledgable driver, the Z will be no problem doing 5 miles a day in the cold. Will you be able to barrel around in the snow like you would on a track? No. But driving slow and smart should be no problem

Of course if it starts to pile up past the ground clearance, thats another story.

 

Do some searches, anybody that tells you the Z can't drive in the winter is full of crap or working under one of two assumptions, (1) you are driving in the winter with the stock summer tires - which is dumb in any car (2) you are driving in 3 feet of snow.

If you live in a place with traffic (ie. your not out at the farm making fresh tracks every day), your Z will drive as good as any FWD car equipped with all season tires.

 

Search is your friend...

1) I drive my Z through 5-6 months of snow and it's just fine.
2) I use Blizzak WS50s... Stock tires are not an option. Blizzak LM22s are good, but I wanted the extra bite of the WS50s knowing I'd sacrifice performance.
3) Stay out of the deep stuff and stay on the ridges, this car is low so it'll plow snow or bottom out in the deep ruts.
4) Get a model with TCD & VDC. It'll keep the car straight on the nasty days.

 

Good follow up point on the Blizzaks.

Do you drive on a lot of snowpack and frozen roads all winter? 50s are probably better for you. 22s are good in cold winters with mostly bare pavement but occasional snow contact.

 

Very good points all around in those last two posts. I've driven my Z through two New England winters on Blizzak LM-22's, and I've had no problems so far. Along with good snow tires, you just need to apply some common sense. Avoid the deep snowdrifts, don't drive like an idiot, and you should be okay.