I'm considering a 350Z when I sell my Maxima but I live in upstate NY so the winter gets pretty bad sometimes. It would also be my only car. If I put a good set of snow tires on it for the winter how bad would it be in the snow? I've heard RWD is pretty bad in the snow but I've never consistently driven a RWD car. Right now my Maxima has high performance all seasons on it and its pretty bad in the snow but driveable if driven like a granny. At most I would be travelling in a few inches for a short period of time in relatively light traffic. Otherwise I would get another ride or stay home if possible.

 

i just got my Z this year... and i would just like to say that its probably the most horrific thing to drive this car on sleet/ice/snow...

even though rwd cars are bad nonetheless, the Z's torque-iness (?) combined with weight and power distribution really make it a pain in the @$$ so drive in snow... i wouldn't recommend it.

Then again... im getting snow tires for the next winter so that may help... the RE040's suck on anything but dry roads anyways.

good luck!

 

Hopefully when I start commuting, my winter beater will still be running.

Correction TakeiteZ, RE040s suck on everything - even dry roads!

 

yes winter tires will make driving in the winter possiable. i live in chicago where we also get quite a bit of snow and my Z is my daily driver and you can drive the car in the snow up to about 4 inches or less but you have to drive slowly but you can get the job done. and with the stock tires you will drive down the street sideways and get no where. its a night and day difference. not to say the car will handle like a front wheel drive or AWD car, but atleast it will go. i don't think a silly thing like winter driving should factor in with your purchase of a Z, just remeber to set a side an extra grand for tires (or the tire rim combo).



good luck.

 

Let's face it, most of our parents and grandparents drove RWD cars year round wiht no problems and that was before quality snow tires. I plan on purchasing a Z pretty soon and you bet I'll have some narrow stout snows for the winter and if you drive like a normal person with some smarts you'll be just fine.

 

The tires are the key...as long as you put Blizzaks on all 4 wheels and avoid driving like an idiot, you'll do just fine. We get our fair share of snow here in New Englad too, and the snow tires have been a life-saver for me.

 

it's ok as long as you have snow tires
stock RE040+snow= ... you don't wanna know