how was your drive in today?
11-25-2007, 06:04 PM
#21
Originally Posted by optimumarc
Well to each his own I guess. Here is some useful reading.
http://www.wheels.ca/article/22080
Due to new technologies and better engineered cars, they are built to withstand the winters. Being an Engineer I can attest to it.
Again the question: Heated seats and block heater, Why? To add weight and cost to the vehicle, I don't think so.
http://www.wheels.ca/article/22080
Due to new technologies and better engineered cars, they are built to withstand the winters. Being an Engineer I can attest to it.
Again the question: Heated seats and block heater, Why? To add weight and cost to the vehicle, I don't think so.
The seat heaters are there for people who have fooled themselves into thinking they don't care about corrosion, carpet deterioration, and paint damage, so that at least they can soothe their tormented souls with toasty butt cheeks.
11-25-2007, 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by optimumarc
Well to each his own I guess. Here is some useful reading.
http://www.wheels.ca/article/22080
Due to new technologies and better engineered cars, they are built to withstand the winters. Being an Engineer I can attest to it.
Again the question: Heated seats and block heater, Why? To add weight and cost to the vehicle, I don't think so.
http://www.wheels.ca/article/22080
Due to new technologies and better engineered cars, they are built to withstand the winters. Being an Engineer I can attest to it.
Again the question: Heated seats and block heater, Why? To add weight and cost to the vehicle, I don't think so.
While the Z is not a supercar, many of us has our cars lowered, or have a body kit installed (or both). I'd like to see how new (affordable) technologies or any form of engineering can resolve the issue of low ground clearance when there's a ton of snow on the ground. Not the mention that when there's snow, it's only on the centre of the car as the wheel portions of the lanes are melted.
I agree that our cars are designed well enough that the body itself can withstand the beating of a canadian winter, but there are some fundamental problems of driving a RWD sports car that isn't easily overcome by engineering.
even the article you linked to mentioned that the ride was anything but comfortable. Why bother fighting the steering wheel for an entire winter when you have a perfectly capable winter beater that makes driving in winter weather all that much easier?
11-26-2007, 07:31 AM
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You are not comparing Apples to Apples and Oranges to Oranges here. Cars are normally rolled out of factories without kits or being lowered. There are reasons for this. There are minimum clearance requirements so you don’t knock off your bumper when going over a speed bump.
Taking off a kit for the winter could be a solution, or the front could act as a snow plow if desired. It would make cleaning the driveway much easier that is for sure.
Come on, people have been driving RWD cars for decades in the winter (even before the advent of front wheel drive).
Of course the article does not mention anything about sports cars being comfortable because they are not! If people want a comfortable car then they should go buy another type of car.
There is no reason to get a "winter beater" since I have purchased a purely functional and capable automobile.
You can be an Enthusiast all ready around (see above post). Last time I checked Enthusiasm is not a function of the season you are currently in.
Taking off a kit for the winter could be a solution, or the front could act as a snow plow if desired. It would make cleaning the driveway much easier that is for sure.
Come on, people have been driving RWD cars for decades in the winter (even before the advent of front wheel drive).
Of course the article does not mention anything about sports cars being comfortable because they are not! If people want a comfortable car then they should go buy another type of car.
There is no reason to get a "winter beater" since I have purchased a purely functional and capable automobile.
You can be an Enthusiast all ready around (see above post). Last time I checked Enthusiasm is not a function of the season you are currently in.
Last edited by optimumarc; 11-26-2007 at 07:53 AM.
11-26-2007, 08:01 AM
#24
I think you are putting too much weight on that article as a defence of your opinion. The article is obviously written with a facetious tone, and doesn't even take itself entirely seriously. I am an educated person, I understand physics and materials science.
But, it's a well known fact that winters will destroy your car. You either care or you don't. You either choose to do something about it or you don't.
But, it's a well known fact that winters will destroy your car. You either care or you don't. You either choose to do something about it or you don't.
11-26-2007, 08:05 AM
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lowered cars can make it over speed bumps..big snow storms generally pile up snow taller than most speed bumps on the road. It is comparing apples to apples, it's still a Z isn't it? Those are one of the people that you suggested to drive it all season long with no worries right?
De-kitting the car every winter doesn't really sound like a viable solution. bolts might strip from repeated mounting and dismounting, not to mention the labour involved in such an exercise. There are no less than 20 tabs/screws for the front bumper alone, and you cannot remove the rear bumper without taking out the taillights first. Lets get into those who have lip kits that are mounted/molded onto oem bumpers.
i'm not saying driving RWD cars are impossible in the winter, but you must agree that it's much safer to drive a FWD car (especially one with less power).
And last I checked, you have NOT purchased a purely functional and capable winter car. The stock Z comes with summer tires that are incapable of dealing with winter weather, meaning you would need winter tires to drive in the winter time. There's a very real possibilty that it is cheaper to buy a winter beater than it is to get a nice set of winter tires.
2TH PWR also mentioned the possiblity of paint damage from the winter months. I hope you enjoy hearing the constant sound of salt chips hitting your front bumper, or the rest of the body causing real possibilities of more paint chips than normal, not to mention damage to the clear coat in general.
De-kitting the car every winter doesn't really sound like a viable solution. bolts might strip from repeated mounting and dismounting, not to mention the labour involved in such an exercise. There are no less than 20 tabs/screws for the front bumper alone, and you cannot remove the rear bumper without taking out the taillights first. Lets get into those who have lip kits that are mounted/molded onto oem bumpers.
i'm not saying driving RWD cars are impossible in the winter, but you must agree that it's much safer to drive a FWD car (especially one with less power).
And last I checked, you have NOT purchased a purely functional and capable winter car. The stock Z comes with summer tires that are incapable of dealing with winter weather, meaning you would need winter tires to drive in the winter time. There's a very real possibilty that it is cheaper to buy a winter beater than it is to get a nice set of winter tires.
2TH PWR also mentioned the possiblity of paint damage from the winter months. I hope you enjoy hearing the constant sound of salt chips hitting your front bumper, or the rest of the body causing real possibilities of more paint chips than normal, not to mention damage to the clear coat in general.
11-26-2007, 09:49 AM
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It seems that the writer is “pointing” to people who treat their car more than an inanimate object, which obviously it is. People have to accept the notion that it is just car, a nice one but just a car in the end of the day.
Some people buy a "winter beater" for 2000 bucks and drive it in the winter to save their beautiful car from salt, one thing they have ask themselves, is it really safer? How many airbags does it have? Does it have TCS? What other safely features is it missing? Are the panels so corroded that when an accident happens there is no protection at all? Am I really safer in this car over the 20,000+ sitting in the garage?
Salt does destroy your car, but there are materials made to prevent this and slow it (rusting) down considerably. You just have to do you due diligence (i.e. undercoating your car) to prevent the rust. Chips are inevitable and I agree are more prominent in the winter but this also can also be prevented (i.e. buy a bra). There are several ways manufacturers prevent rusting as well, zinc coating, primer and the number of coats of paint.
Most people I know that have kits scrape the speed bumps. They lower their car too much!
De-kitting the car during winter months should not be that difficult, people just have to be careful. Kits that are moulded (post production) into the bumper can not be removed easily, agreed. Another solution is to buy another bumper or not put a kit on a car in the first place. Kits are more aesthetic and do not add much aerodynamic value (unless they are tracked at high speeds).
Agreed that FWD is better then RWD in the winter. But you also have to careful with FWD cars as well. Cars now of these days have a great deal of power (even with FWD); it is just how smart you are in using the power. Cars don’t cause accidents, people in cars do right?
The Z does not come with winter tires because it is marketed as a sports car with the option of driving it in the winter. Driving the car in the winter is a personal preference and Nissan provides consumers with the choice. If you drive the car in the winter, they provided you with heated seats and a block warmer. If not, you have the option to buy the track model or not drive the car at all. In the end of the day, is up to the driver as the car is built for it.
Some people buy a "winter beater" for 2000 bucks and drive it in the winter to save their beautiful car from salt, one thing they have ask themselves, is it really safer? How many airbags does it have? Does it have TCS? What other safely features is it missing? Are the panels so corroded that when an accident happens there is no protection at all? Am I really safer in this car over the 20,000+ sitting in the garage?
Salt does destroy your car, but there are materials made to prevent this and slow it (rusting) down considerably. You just have to do you due diligence (i.e. undercoating your car) to prevent the rust. Chips are inevitable and I agree are more prominent in the winter but this also can also be prevented (i.e. buy a bra). There are several ways manufacturers prevent rusting as well, zinc coating, primer and the number of coats of paint.
Most people I know that have kits scrape the speed bumps. They lower their car too much!
De-kitting the car during winter months should not be that difficult, people just have to be careful. Kits that are moulded (post production) into the bumper can not be removed easily, agreed. Another solution is to buy another bumper or not put a kit on a car in the first place. Kits are more aesthetic and do not add much aerodynamic value (unless they are tracked at high speeds).
Agreed that FWD is better then RWD in the winter. But you also have to careful with FWD cars as well. Cars now of these days have a great deal of power (even with FWD); it is just how smart you are in using the power. Cars don’t cause accidents, people in cars do right?
The Z does not come with winter tires because it is marketed as a sports car with the option of driving it in the winter. Driving the car in the winter is a personal preference and Nissan provides consumers with the choice. If you drive the car in the winter, they provided you with heated seats and a block warmer. If not, you have the option to buy the track model or not drive the car at all. In the end of the day, is up to the driver as the car is built for it.
Last edited by optimumarc; 11-26-2007 at 10:28 AM.
11-26-2007, 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by optimumarc
It seems that the writer is “pointing” to people who treat their car more than an inanimate object, which obviously it is. People have to accept the notion that it is just car, a nice one but just a car in the end of the day.
Originally Posted by optimumarc
Some people buy a "winter beater" for 2000 bucks and drive it in the winter to save their beautiful car from salt, one thing they have ask themselves, is it really safer? How many airbags does it have? Does it have TCS? What other safely features is it missing? Are the panels so corroded when an accident happens there is no protection at all? Am I really safer in this car over the 20,000+ sitting in the garage?
Originally Posted by optimumarc
Salt does destroy your car, but there are materials made to prevent this and slow it (rusting) down considerably. You just have to do you due diligence (i.e. undercoating your car) to prevent the rust. Chips are inevitable and I agree are more prominent in the winter but this also can also be prevented (i.e. buy a bra). There are several ways manufacturers prevent rusting as well, zinc coating, primer and the number of coats of paint.
Most people I know that have kits scrape the speed bumps. They lower their car too much!
De-kitting the car during winter months should not be that difficult, people just have to be careful. Kits that are moulded (post production) into the bumper can not be removed easily, agreed. Another solution is to buy another bumper or not put a kit on a car in the first place. Kits are more aesthetic and do not add much aerodynamic value (unless they are tracked at high speeds).
Most people I know that have kits scrape the speed bumps. They lower their car too much!
De-kitting the car during winter months should not be that difficult, people just have to be careful. Kits that are moulded (post production) into the bumper can not be removed easily, agreed. Another solution is to buy another bumper or not put a kit on a car in the first place. Kits are more aesthetic and do not add much aerodynamic value (unless they are tracked at high speeds).
Originally Posted by optimumarc
Agreed that FWD is better then RWD in the winter. But you also have to careful with FWD cars as well. Cars now of these days have a great deal of power (even with FWD); it is just how smart you are in using the power. Cars don’t cause accidents, people in cars do right?
Originally Posted by optimumarc
The Z does not come with winter tires because it is marketed as a sports car with the option of driving it in the winter. Driving the car in the winter is a personal preference and Nissan provides consumers with the choice. If you drive the car in the winter, they provided you with heated seats and a block warmer. If not, you have the option to buy the track model or not drive the car at all. In the end of the day, is up to the driver as the car is built for it.
11-26-2007, 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by noodleman
That's usually what it means to be an enthusiast. it's akin to ferrari owners saying their car have heart and soul, which it clearly doesn't.
11-26-2007, 10:56 AM
#29
Originally Posted by optimumarc
It seems that the writer is “pointing” to people who treat their car more than an inanimate object, which obviously it is. People have to accept the notion that it is just car, a nice one but just a car in the end of the day.
Some people buy a "winter beater" for 2000 bucks and drive it in the winter to save their beautiful car from salt, one thing they have ask themselves, is it really safer? How many airbags does it have? Does it have TCS? What other safely features is it missing? Are the panels so corroded that when an accident happens there is no protection at all? Am I really safer in this car over the 20,000+ sitting in the garage?
Salt does destroy your car, but there are materials made to prevent this and slow it (rusting) down considerably. You just have to do you due diligence (i.e. undercoating your car) to prevent the rust. Chips are inevitable and I agree are more prominent in the winter but this also can also be prevented (i.e. buy a bra). There are several ways manufacturers prevent rusting as well, zinc coating, primer and the number of coats of paint.
Most people I know that have kits scrape the speed bumps. They lower their car too much!
De-kitting the car during winter months should not be that difficult, people just have to be careful. Kits that are moulded (post production) into the bumper can not be removed easily, agreed. Another solution is to buy another bumper or not put a kit on a car in the first place. Kits are more aesthetic and do not add much aerodynamic value (unless they are tracked at high speeds).
Agreed that FWD is better then RWD in the winter. But you also have to careful with FWD cars as well. Cars now of these days have a great deal of power (even with FWD); it is just how smart you are in using the power. Cars don’t cause accidents, people in cars do right?
The Z does not come with winter tires because it is marketed as a sports car with the option of driving it in the winter. Driving the car in the winter is a personal preference and Nissan provides consumers with the choice. If you drive the car in the winter, they provided you with heated seats and a block warmer. If not, you have the option to buy the track model or not drive the car at all. In the end of the day, is up to the driver as the car is built for it.
Some people buy a "winter beater" for 2000 bucks and drive it in the winter to save their beautiful car from salt, one thing they have ask themselves, is it really safer? How many airbags does it have? Does it have TCS? What other safely features is it missing? Are the panels so corroded that when an accident happens there is no protection at all? Am I really safer in this car over the 20,000+ sitting in the garage?
Salt does destroy your car, but there are materials made to prevent this and slow it (rusting) down considerably. You just have to do you due diligence (i.e. undercoating your car) to prevent the rust. Chips are inevitable and I agree are more prominent in the winter but this also can also be prevented (i.e. buy a bra). There are several ways manufacturers prevent rusting as well, zinc coating, primer and the number of coats of paint.
Most people I know that have kits scrape the speed bumps. They lower their car too much!
De-kitting the car during winter months should not be that difficult, people just have to be careful. Kits that are moulded (post production) into the bumper can not be removed easily, agreed. Another solution is to buy another bumper or not put a kit on a car in the first place. Kits are more aesthetic and do not add much aerodynamic value (unless they are tracked at high speeds).
Agreed that FWD is better then RWD in the winter. But you also have to careful with FWD cars as well. Cars now of these days have a great deal of power (even with FWD); it is just how smart you are in using the power. Cars don’t cause accidents, people in cars do right?
The Z does not come with winter tires because it is marketed as a sports car with the option of driving it in the winter. Driving the car in the winter is a personal preference and Nissan provides consumers with the choice. If you drive the car in the winter, they provided you with heated seats and a block warmer. If not, you have the option to buy the track model or not drive the car at all. In the end of the day, is up to the driver as the car is built for it.
1) It's mad pimp
2) It has 2 airbags.
3) It has TCS, my right foot!
4) No rust!
5) It has ABS I think.
6) It's a hatch back so it's mad practical at carrying mad payloads in the summer. My entire HKS exhaust box fit in there. All 4 rims with tires is a breeze.
7) It has crazy powah, and crazy torque, and plows through snow like a ****, and sometimes I still rip the e brake and drift through a parking lot once in a while.
Even though my 350Z is mad old, it's approaching 5 years, everyone thinks it's new.
11-26-2007, 10:58 AM
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Actually, I am not telling people whether or not they should drive their Z in the winter, that is their choice. Perhaps you should consider your choice of words more carefully.
I am just simply stating points they should consider. Whether or not they agree with them is up to them or you to decide.
We are bombarded with massive amounts of information every day. It is up to you and others to process that information consider what is useful and make a decision.
People need to make their own decisions. Mine is to drive my car in winter and yours is not...simple as that.
I am just simply stating points they should consider. Whether or not they agree with them is up to them or you to decide.
We are bombarded with massive amounts of information every day. It is up to you and others to process that information consider what is useful and make a decision.
People need to make their own decisions. Mine is to drive my car in winter and yours is not...simple as that.
11-26-2007, 11:36 AM
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optimumarc,
have you rust check your z, if yes, what did you do...im with you..its just a car...we should have a count of how many days we actually have not driven the car this winter...i see 2th pwr. is located in gods country...where are you...2th pwr, we barley get snow here in toronto... with the number of cars & plows on our roard every day, the snow is gone in hours...if the roads are bad , wait a fews hour and your goood to zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....
have you rust check your z, if yes, what did you do...im with you..its just a car...we should have a count of how many days we actually have not driven the car this winter...i see 2th pwr. is located in gods country...where are you...2th pwr, we barley get snow here in toronto... with the number of cars & plows on our roard every day, the snow is gone in hours...if the roads are bad , wait a fews hour and your goood to zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....
11-26-2007, 11:38 AM
#33
Originally Posted by rayzzee
optimumarc,
have you rust check your z, if yes, what did you do...im with you..its just a car...we should have a count of how many days we actually have not driven the car this winter...i see 2th pwr. is located in gods country...where are you...2th pwr, we barley get snow here in toronto... with the number of cars & plows on our roard every day, the snow is gone in hours...if the roads are bad , wait a fews hour and your goood to zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....
have you rust check your z, if yes, what did you do...im with you..its just a car...we should have a count of how many days we actually have not driven the car this winter...i see 2th pwr. is located in gods country...where are you...2th pwr, we barley get snow here in toronto... with the number of cars & plows on our roard every day, the snow is gone in hours...if the roads are bad , wait a fews hour and your goood to zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....
11-26-2007, 11:52 AM
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I got it done at Tintmaster. Really nice guys and they did a great job.
Should cost you about $180 taxes in. Did the oil all over (in the doors too) and undercoated it.
www.tintmaster.com
What tires you running?
Should cost you about $180 taxes in. Did the oil all over (in the doors too) and undercoated it.
www.tintmaster.com
What tires you running?
