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2003-2009 Nissan 350Z

Immutable truth about the Z in winter

Old Dec 15, 2003 | 11:02 AM
  #1  
breakbeats1's Avatar
breakbeats1
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From: manhattan
Default Immutable truth about the Z in winter

It sucks - for real.

Live in Manhattan, snowboard in Vermont. Figured I would beat the weather back to the city, so i left VT early on sunday. Blasted through VT and MA doing 100+ (sweet - but when i hit Hartford (about the half-way point), the snow started. 15 minutes later in Waterbury, CT, i had to pull off the highway (skidded all the way down the exit ramp, through the light into the intersection). I missed 3 lights trying to go about 35 feet to get to the Holiday Inn Express.

Anti-lock brakes - awesome
Limited Slip Differential - awesome
Stock rubber on Touring model - completely useless in snow.

There simply is not enough mechanical grip despite all the electrical assistance.

Either leave your car at home when snow/sleet/ice is a potential, or get a set of winter tires and rims (you are not gonna find 18" winter tires anywhere for the Z).

PS - Anyone see the TopGear video (UK) about the Z? The guy totally bashes the Z. I love how he shouts out drum&bass while driving the Z.
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Old Dec 15, 2003 | 11:53 AM
  #2  
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From: Richmond, BC.
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Yeah, you gotta slap some Arctic Alpins or Blizzaks on.

Or get a winter beater.
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Old Dec 15, 2003 | 12:36 PM
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You're brave for even trying to drive in this weather. Good advice tho.
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Old Dec 15, 2003 | 07:45 PM
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damn... the Z is taht bad in the winter??

what about in the Rain??

any problems at all~?~?
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Old Dec 15, 2003 | 07:52 PM
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From: The Nasty Nati (Cincinnati)
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Originally posted by lemonjihwan
damn... the Z is taht bad in the winter??

what about in the Rain??

any problems at all~?~?

Yes. The stock tires are Summer Peformance tires - not designed to be driven in snow.

Rain is fine.
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Old Dec 15, 2003 | 08:50 PM
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rain is fine, this is why i live somewhere that there is no winter, and when i feel like boarding and such i grab my dad's explorer
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Old Dec 15, 2003 | 09:11 PM
  #7  
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the z is horrible in the snow. period. i might as well be on ice skates.
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Old Dec 15, 2003 | 09:17 PM
  #8  
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From: Danbury CT // Queens NYC
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The Z is not horrible in snow if equipped properly. I finally got to use my Blizzak WS-50's on Sunday in Danbury CT (~15-20 minutes west of Waterbury CT). The Z handled totally fine. All it takes are the right tires and careful driving. I drove VERY slow, started in second gear often.

The stock tires in no way should ever be used to drive in the snow.
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Old Dec 16, 2003 | 09:53 AM
  #9  
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From: Great Lakes
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So stock tires sucks in the snow? WOW! No kidding? SUMMER performance tires are no good for snow? What a surprise!

Just get Blizzaks winter tires and stop talking bad about Z
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Old Dec 16, 2003 | 12:23 PM
  #10  
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From: Free Tibet
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Just get Blizzaks winter tires and stop talking bad about Z
I dont think anyone was talking bad about the Z. All i saw were people reiterating the fact that the RE040's suck in the snow due to the fact that they are summer performance tires.

Off topic: I've always wandered if that is really your car or a ps either way I like it.
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Old Dec 16, 2003 | 12:31 PM
  #11  
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no snow in california!

anyone have that topgear clip for the z?
that show is kind of retarded now.... it's all about tiff and vicki.
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Old Dec 16, 2003 | 01:12 PM
  #12  
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I dont care what your driving; its just a shell with an engine; your ability to drive in the snow has to do with contact with the ground. which is done by only the wheels; you put these same tires on ANY car and your dead in the water; on the same hand the same set of winter tires on the same car will be the same as well.

only difference is you must be careful not to over power it; start in 2nd; just dont spin the tires. its not the car tho, its the tires; 245s are not gonna cut through down to the pavement; they will ride over the snow like a set of skies.
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