Sorry to bother you guys. I did a search, but I wasn't bringing back any relevant results.

Just wondering who's been tossing on some winter tires, and driving in the snow? How bad is it?

Thanks.

 

i just bough my z at october
i drive my z all year around,
dont have any problem yet (touch wood )
p.s i use PA2 winter tire

 

Dude, don't lie and say you tried searching. There are almost 500 threads on this same topic.

 

I don't doubt that there are lots of threads on this subject. But the searches I did, did NOT turn back what I was looking for. I guess I could have spent half an hour going through pages and pages of threads, but after a couple quick searches, I didn't find what I was looking for.







Nobody's lying. I just thought it wouldn't be a big deal to start a new thread. Is it?

 

"optimumarc" is an EAST CANADA guy and has started some threads on the topic. He may be a good guy to ask since he knows what winter is really like around here. I'm sure the Z would be just fine functionally.
The vast majority of us store them for appearance reasons. As the price point drops, the Z becomes a more practical winter sportscar. I would say if you are looking for year round performance, an Sti might be a good choice as well.

 

Search only titles and type in "winter".

 

Thanks. I'm not really looking for year round performance, and I do like the STI, but I'd rather have a Z if the winter's are manageable. Eventually I'll be able to afford a winter beater of some kind, but the first couple of winters, I'll be driving my Z. I wanted to make sure that won't be a problem.

 

Yup, “2TH PWR” is right, I drive mine all year around. I know most of the people here don't but I actually like driving it in the winter. The guy who I bought it from drove in the winter as well. I got some new tires primarily because I did not like the look of the steelies. To each his own I guess. If anybody needs winter tires with steelies let me know. I will bump the thread on later today. I bought the new winters from Tire Rack. The are (the tires) 18" Dunlop Winter Sports M3s. Awesome tires.

It seems that most threads are about people going back and fourth about why/why not to drive the Z in the winter. Like I said before, end of day you take in all the info and make the best decision you can.

I have not seen a thread about things that you should keep in mind when driving the Z in the snow. So here it is:

Good things to remember:

1. Try not to hammer the throttle when the slush or heavy snow. Your back end will slide out but the VDC will bring it back in eventually.
2. Get some really good snow tires, mine were expensive but they work really really well.
3. Remove your splash guards if you have them. They are poorly designed and snow builds up there. I will take them off next winter (especially the Rear). I bought them with the belief that they would be better for the winter....nope.
4. The Z is low, so some times you have build up some speed to get over higher snow piles.
5. If you get stuck (I have not and I drove yesterday in the blizzard) take the VDC off so you can build up some momentum otherwise you most definitely be going nowhere.
6. Your hatch supports might fail at cold temperatures, just be careful when opening the trunk.
7. Fill up your Gas Tank when the weather is really bad. This will add weight to the back end and make the car handle better. I had to do this yesterday and it really helped.

Drifting with the Z in the snow is really fun... just be careful and to do it when nobody is around. You will have to take the VDC off. Good thing is, you don't have to replace your tires afterwards.

Lots of people look at your strange when you drive the Z in the winter but I don’t mind. I see some Porches and the other day a Corvette. So I figure if these guys can drive in the snow then we should be good. Tons of G’s out there in the snow as well.

I hope this list helps.

For those of you who drive in the winter, please feel free to add to the list. Maybe I could get some good pointers as well.

 

It is possible and I did it for 2 years. Snow tires are a must if you actually want to go anywhere. IMO it isn't that bad if you take your time and don't drive like a fool. Whenever I was driving it in the snow I was more worried about other people hitting me than loosing it myself. Personaly you would be better off driving something else in the winter though. Keep you Z nice.

And yes there are about 500 threads just like this or close to it.

 

I drove two winters with the Z without VDC.

2 tips:
1. Good winter tires
2. Cautious driving and gentle throttle control

 

drove without vdc yesterday (only on my driveway), went out with my yaris

 

3. Learn how to countersteer.
4. No fast imputs (steering, gas, or brakes). Be as smooth as you can.

 

saw a silver z at the petro can. on kennedy and finch yesterday night. was that someone on the board?

 

seriously .. handles VERY well in the winter .. key is TIRES!!!!

spend the $$ and get a good set .. i have the Cont. Vikings 2 and i love em . which ever you get .. just make sure they are good.

driving is fine ... other than the clearance .. the Z handles better than my Jeep liberty LOL. Just take it easy and not try to jet pilot around on icy conditions .. youll be fine

 

I have the Z and a 2wd beater truck. I feel way safer driving the Z in the snow. I have yet to get stuck anywhere in the snow with it after 3 years of wither driving with it.

 

i guess the general consensus is not that it's impossible to drive a z in the winter, it's just a large majority of z owners choose not to because of a.) not wanting to ruin their paint b.) dealing with snow banks c.) higher risk of crashing.

i'm pretty sure if i drove my z in the winter, i wouldn't feel as confident as i am in my family sedan accord, that thing is a champ, even without snow tires

 

Rust is another issue, which I discovered that Z is virtually rustproof in terms of metal material. Far better than older cars.

 

+1. It's not about how safe your Z is, it's about how unsafe everyone else around you is driving and running into you.

hopefully we get some warm spring like weather and my Z will be back on the road in a few weeks!

 

in a few weeks? you better pray to your T&E gods to bring that weather here

 

This is why I will not drive all year round..

https://my350z.com/forum/showpost.ph...33&postcount=1



Edit: Also, note the mention of "katrina" cars...