350Z in Colorado-Is it possible?
Originally Posted by 350zr-riffic
I know this is my first post, but I hope it doesn’t hurt my creditability just because I don’t feel the need to post to simply increase my post count.
I actually read this post and decided not to say anything as I have done so many times in the past. However, I could not let this discussion continue without letting you all know what I know about driving the Z in the winter.
I live in Milwaukee, WI and we normally don’t get as much snow as I am used to. (I am originally from more north than Milwaukee.) I bought my 05 ZR in February of 07 and we did not have that much snow at the time. Right after I bought my ZR, Milwaukee had a few large snow storms and I couldn’t even sleep at night with the thought of driving my car in the snow the next day. I really missed the AWD TT I gave up for the Z and thought I made a huge mistake buying the Z for the DD in Wisconsin.
During the summer, I dedicated a significant amount of time to finding an all season tire for the Z. I ended up putting on a set of Pirelli P Zero Nero M+S and discovered the potential of the Z in the snow. Milwaukee had 100+ inches of snow this winter; the second highest amount of snow on record. There were several days where we had over 14 inches of snow in one day. Of course, I had to drive my Z on every one of those days and I did not get stuck once. One day in particular we had 22+ inches of snow in a 24 hour period. About 14 inches into it I had to leave work in my Z. There was about 6 inches of unplowed snow on the roads and I DID JUST AS GOOD, IF NOT BETTER, THAN ALL THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CARS ON THE ROAD THAT DAY.
My whole point is that I think that the Z gets a bad rap because of the horrible stock tires that come on the car. The Bridgestone R040’s are not for winter driving (or any driving in my opinion) and a set of all season or true winter tires turns the Z into a tank in snow.
Buy the Z, gets some good tires, and have some fun.
I actually read this post and decided not to say anything as I have done so many times in the past. However, I could not let this discussion continue without letting you all know what I know about driving the Z in the winter.
I live in Milwaukee, WI and we normally don’t get as much snow as I am used to. (I am originally from more north than Milwaukee.) I bought my 05 ZR in February of 07 and we did not have that much snow at the time. Right after I bought my ZR, Milwaukee had a few large snow storms and I couldn’t even sleep at night with the thought of driving my car in the snow the next day. I really missed the AWD TT I gave up for the Z and thought I made a huge mistake buying the Z for the DD in Wisconsin.
During the summer, I dedicated a significant amount of time to finding an all season tire for the Z. I ended up putting on a set of Pirelli P Zero Nero M+S and discovered the potential of the Z in the snow. Milwaukee had 100+ inches of snow this winter; the second highest amount of snow on record. There were several days where we had over 14 inches of snow in one day. Of course, I had to drive my Z on every one of those days and I did not get stuck once. One day in particular we had 22+ inches of snow in a 24 hour period. About 14 inches into it I had to leave work in my Z. There was about 6 inches of unplowed snow on the roads and I DID JUST AS GOOD, IF NOT BETTER, THAN ALL THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CARS ON THE ROAD THAT DAY.
My whole point is that I think that the Z gets a bad rap because of the horrible stock tires that come on the car. The Bridgestone R040’s are not for winter driving (or any driving in my opinion) and a set of all season or true winter tires turns the Z into a tank in snow.
Buy the Z, gets some good tires, and have some fun.
Well said. And yes, I consider you credible
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 234
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From: Colorado
Lived in Denver with the Z since Jan '03.
Used as my daily driver and only car for almost all of that time.
Get good Snow Tires (got Blizzacks myself and love them) and the car drives great with the snow tires. Still have to worry about the clearance, but just don't try driving in the snow in the stock or other performance tires...quick trip to spinning and desaster.
Used as my daily driver and only car for almost all of that time.
Get good Snow Tires (got Blizzacks myself and love them) and the car drives great with the snow tires. Still have to worry about the clearance, but just don't try driving in the snow in the stock or other performance tires...quick trip to spinning and desaster.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Co, Denver
I agree with most of the comments here for I drive my G in Colorado as my DD.
As long as you know how to handle RWD and Snowy driving conditions you should be fine to use your Z as a DD.
But yah as said before I would definetly invest some money into some beater rims and Winter tires, Or nicer after market rims and use your stocks for winter tires.. but that might get a little expensive for bigger tires haha.
As long as you know how to handle RWD and Snowy driving conditions you should be fine to use your Z as a DD.
But yah as said before I would definetly invest some money into some beater rims and Winter tires, Or nicer after market rims and use your stocks for winter tires.. but that might get a little expensive for bigger tires haha.
well you guys have definitely eased my mind quite a bit. Was starting to look more at the AWD TT, but it would not be my top choice. Havnt done to much research, but looking at consumer reviews, there seems to be a lot of problems with the 2003/04 models with having to constantly replace the tires because of uneven tread. Any comments on this? Most of the deals i have found locally are for 2003/04 models!
I drive my twin turbo'ed G35 coupe year round for the past two years here in Colorado Springs. Dedicated snow tires in the winter, summer performance tires in the summer. Dunlop Winter Sport M3's did me right for two years.
Only problems I ever had were when the snow was deep enough that my G became a snow plow rather than a car. Otherwise, no problems.
Even drove on my snow tires to a track day, and switched out the tires to my R-Comps at the track.
Only problems I ever had were when the snow was deep enough that my G became a snow plow rather than a car. Otherwise, no problems.
Even drove on my snow tires to a track day, and switched out the tires to my R-Comps at the track.
For those of you complaining about driving in the snow then you need to learn to drive better. I have no tread on my tires and drive my Z fine is snow.. even deep snow. Understand your limits, drive safely, get all season tires (or snow and summer tires), and you will be fine...
New Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Racine, WI
Originally Posted by Abishop
Buy a beater car then buy a z. its what we all do.
Take a Z for a test drive on normal pavement then imagine all that torque on some nicely compacted snow. If that don't get you then I'm sure all the ice chunks that fall off cars/trucks will.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Alberta Canada
Originally Posted by siruis
Hey everyone, im knew to the forum and this is my first post. So i graduate college in 3 weeks and already have a high paying job setup and i start soon after graduation. So obviously i have been wanting a Z for a VERY long time so its the first thing im going to buy (have 10k to put down) and Want to get a 2005 or newer.
I live in Denver, Colorado where we do get a lot of snow. Most of the time its not to bad but occasionaly it can be horrible and we can get dumped in with about a foot. It does snow a lot in the winter but sometimes its just a couple inches. Where im living is only a 10 minute drive to my work ( like a few miles away) i REALLY want a Z but my parents think its a waste of money and i wont be able to do anything with it in the winter. I dont have room to buy a beater car (no parking) I dont mine spending $1k on winter tires but just wanted to hear your opinion or if i would be better off getting like an AWD audi TT.
I live in Denver, Colorado where we do get a lot of snow. Most of the time its not to bad but occasionaly it can be horrible and we can get dumped in with about a foot. It does snow a lot in the winter but sometimes its just a couple inches. Where im living is only a 10 minute drive to my work ( like a few miles away) i REALLY want a Z but my parents think its a waste of money and i wont be able to do anything with it in the winter. I dont have room to buy a beater car (no parking) I dont mine spending $1k on winter tires but just wanted to hear your opinion or if i would be better off getting like an AWD audi TT.
Bottom line is... if its your dream car and you can finally afford it why the hell would you get anything else?
350Z + Blizzak's = damn passable in snow for 10 minutes. I've driven my Z to work with 3-4", 25 miles each way. It certainly can be done with snow tires (feels like an entirely different car) and easy on the gas.
Congrats to you for graduating with 10k saved as opposed to 20k in debt like me.
I drove my 350 all winter on Goodyear F1s here in Ohio. It wasn't bad - your car will get scratches if you drive in deep snow with ice, though.
I drove my 350 all winter on Goodyear F1s here in Ohio. It wasn't bad - your car will get scratches if you drive in deep snow with ice, though.
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