Hello Guys,

I purchase a 04 350z Roadster today, There is heavy rain in northern California, as i was getting on the ramp to hop on the freeway i must of been doing 40ish mph, my rears locked up causing my Z to slide and do a 180, thx god i did not hit any cars and i was few inches from hitting the curb.

Does 350z suck driving in the rain? I thought my rear tires might be bald, tires are dunlops and good tread left.

I am scared to drive in the rain now, any suggestions i should follow or maybe switch tires out?

Since my encounter i have been driving like a granny in the rain, i experienced something smilar with my s2000 several years ago..

 

My Z is much more of a pain to drive in the rain than my S2K was. Of course my Z is FI and my S2K wasn't. The first time my traction control kicked in, which is what I'm assuming happened to you, it scared me to death. Congrats and your Z and welcome to another former S2K owner.

 

Never had a problem driving my Z in the rain. Then again when it's raining I look for trouble. It never shows up.

 

the onlt times i've had spin out issues was when I was not experienced and did not know the car well. You were probably putting down more power than the the tires grip could handle. I've haven't had a "spin out" in the last 4 years, but had 3 the first 2 months I owned it. I definitely avoid 1st gear or second gear when it rains. I just drove an hour in the rain and I averaged about 60 on the LA freeway. NO issues but its a rear wheel drive car without a tcs (i'm a 04 base) so I drive carefully in the rain.

 

Welcome and congratulations. Close does not count.

 

drive slow homie.. drive slow homie..
you never know homie, might meet some hoes homie
you need to pump your brakes and drive slow, homie

 

Congrats on the Z man, the rain has been pretty nasty here in the sac area the last few days, even got some snow where i live. Haha my Z's summer tires didnt even make it out of the driveway.

 

so heavy rain + on ramp + rwd 40mph and you're actually surprised you spun?

 

usually on that ramp i do 55ish, so yes 35-40ish in rain i was surprised.

gotta be extra careful in rain.

 

I live in SacTown - it was pouring, cold, and windy yesterday. I don't take the Z out when the weather is that bad. Anyway, the roads were pretty slick and the Z has more power/torque to the rear wheel then the S2K so you need to watch it. Also, just wondering why your rears "locked" up? Personally, I think that you're probably not used to the torque and handling of the Z yet. Take it easy & have fun!

 

yeah take it EZ i dont have any probs in mine never spun out. dont give her to much in turns when its wet going fast is okay just dont give her more gas shell want to kick out in the rain

 

Yes, these cars suck in the rain, don't let anyone tell you different. Tires don't really matter, but definitely will be better than summers. Just don't drive at high speeds on wet roads if you can help it.

 

+1.

 

I remember some of the side streets in Sac just flood like crazy when it rains. Especially on Hwy 16. You'll get used to driving the Z in the rain, just use sound judgment and have decent tires on when the weather gets bad.

 

dont pound on the gas pedal! 2nd day i got my z, i crashed it in the rain from accelerating too fast..

 

^+1

 

Rear tires "locked up"? Does your car have VDC? How are the tires? I drove through there yesterday in the Z without issue. Tires are likely the bulk of the issue, unless it was the driver.

 

Get to know it on the back roads and side streets going slowly at first. Learn where the power band is and how it reacts to how much gas you give it. Touchy cars, especially with good low end torque.

It was raining in Philly yesterday so roads were wet when I went out at night, so I made it a point to do some nice 90 degree turns with the VDC off

Honestly not a bad idea IMO...find a big open lot where the pavement is in good condition...usually large parking lots when stores are closed, etc. Do a couple drifts or spinouts so that you can learn the vehicle dynamics and how it will react to those types of situations. Don't do anything crazy to where you can get in trouble or raise a ton of attention to yourself...also you don't want to go fast enough to where put yourself in danger...

 

the tires are important... i know i had no choice to drive a G coupe back to the dealership on bald tires and you feeel the car just want to kick out just hitting bumps not stepping on the gas!

 

Welcome to the forum. It's actually probably a good thing, that you've had a fright, you'll get to learn the way the car handles. There are a lot of tyres on the market. Some better than others, the more you spend usually the better they are. Take care out there until you know the car.