I guess I should clarify that. Antone driving in the snow this winter?

I live less than 1/4 from work so I'm not too concerned, but driving everywhere else worries me. I was considering Blizzak tires, but not sure how much of a difference it will make.

Any thoughts out there?

 

No way in HELL I'm driving my Z in the snow this year. Did it last year and almost totaled the car. This year I am sticking with a FWD car for the bad days. Why take a chance?

 

Blizzaks make a huge difference. The stock tires on the Z are summer tires, so they're not even meant for the cold, let alone the snow.

 

I will be driving my Saturn POS.

"winter beater" say it with me.... "winter beater"

-Ethan

 

I'm driving in the winter. The snow tires will be going on either next week or as soon as I can. We already got our first snow last Sunday.

I know I'm stupid, but I was able financially to get a second car for the winter. It give me a good excuse to be late for work anyway.

 

hmmm, well i was considering using the Z in the winter on a reg basis. But if its snowing, its not leaving the garage...

 

I know, but financially, I'm not able to get a beater just yet. I took a csh hit when I got the Z last week so I need some time to re-stock the account.

I'm only planning on this winter, but for next winter the winter beater will be a reality.

 

The insurance in NJ would kill me if I had to pay for 2 cars.

Blizzak LM 22 tires = I drove through every single storm last winter + 40 miles to and from work. You just have to remember to take it easy, go slow, and carry a shovel (getting out of parking lots - the car just sits too damn low to the ground )

I am used to having a rwd drive car for the winter. If you only drove fwd before, make sure you take it extra slow before you get the hang of it.

Make sure you get winter tires - I love my LM22. The difference these tires make is huge. If try try to do the winter on stock tires, you will be sorry...

 

Thanks DmitryZ. Do you mind if I ask what they might cost ball park? What model Z do you have? I have the '05 Touring so I wonder how much the LSD will help...if any.

 

I will be driving the car this winter as long as there isn't snow or any sign of ice. My parents have extra cars, an F250 and a van that I will be driving in case of bad weather.

 

Actually it isn't soo bad - I've got a multi-car discount and my Saturn is considered the primary car- in the end, its almost a wash. I'm in Jersey too.

Ethan

 

You're probably going to be looking at anywhere between $800-$1100, depending on where you go. I have an '03 Enthusiast on the stock 17s; you'll probably be looking at a higher cost for 18s.

 

Did it for 2 winters. Just take it easy, not any problem at all. Our first snow came almost a month ago.

Only time I don't drive it is when there is more than 3 inches of fresh snow on the road.

Snow tire is a must here. Bliz LM 22 on 18" works well for me.

 

No problem last winter with all season tires + 100# of weight.

 

I buy all my rubber from Tirerack (great service) and last time I checked a set of sport edition fox 5 17" wheels with blizzak LM-22 will be around 1200 shipped and installed. There may be other cheaper wheel choices given that you don’t have the brembos to deal with.

I have the track model so the fox 5 were about the cheapest wheels I could get that fit the brembos. You may consider going to 16" wheels and tires if you can find cheap ones that fit.

Another option is to just get the tires and install them on the rims you have. When summer comes around, you can get yourself some Nismos

LSD does help but difference that winter tires make will amaze you.

 

That’s true depending on the insurance company you have...

Personally, I have no place to store a Z and absolutely need a reliable way to get to work which an $800 junker would not provide.

I guess it depends on your situation. When I was considering buying a Z, I saw a guy in an snow covered silver NSX slushing along on the NJ Tpike and I figured if he can do it - I can do it.

 

lol

yeah, once the snow is over 3", the Z basically becomes a snow plow.

>3" of snow = sick day for me!

 

Great, I appreciate all of the input. I am leasing this car so upgrading the wheels, as much as I would love to, doesn't seem smart. I will probably just swap out the wheels from the original rims every season change. Is that smart or stupid?

I have the 17" rims and Blizzak makes the Blizzak WS-50 that is slightly less for that wheel. I think I'm leaning towards that. I think I'll see how long I can get away with it before ordering. That would run about $500 for the tires.

Again....thanks.

 

Like you I live very close to work. I've decided to forgo buying snow tires and invested in some warm boots. If it's snowing out I'm just going to hike the 3/4 mile walk to work and save some money.

 

Don't get the WS-50. It is designed for severe snow at the cost of noise, grip, and wear. If you have an awd car with a nice ground clearance and plan to drive through a blizzard, WS-50 is the tire of choice. With our cars minimal clearance, you'll never be able to use these tires to full potential and they will make everyday driving a major pain.

I have a friend who bought the WS-50 for savings over LM-22 for a camaro. They are good snow tires but noisy and downright scary to drive on when it is wet. LM-22 are suited a lot more for our cars. I noticed no difference in noise levels, no problems in the wet, and honestly they grip pretty damn well in the dry for snow tires (I had to test them ).

On the other hand, If you live so close to work and lease your car, you may consider switching to all season tires. Pirelli's new NERO M+S is an excellent all season tire imho. They will be sufficient for a 1/4 mile drive to work. As far as going other places, if you think about it most of the time you drive in the slush anyways not in snow.

Hope this helps.