I'm sold on getting a 350z at this point, but my hang-up at this point is what I would have to do during the winter months. Anyone drive their Z 12 months a year? I live in Minneapolis - so I definately have to contend with snowy conditions. Am I an idiot for thinking that snow tires would allow me to drive this car 12 months a year? Thanks!

 

Every person you ask will tell you something different. But chew on this for a minute... The tires are the only thing that touch the road (or snow), which are consistent for EVERY car. Winter tires on the Z = outstanding traction in the winter, in ANY conditions. Instead of worrying about the car, pay more attention to how you drive the car in the snow.

So....yes, I have driven the Z in the winter (Detroit area), and with winter tires, it passes nearly everything on the road, including my wife's Grand Cherokee. BUT....the factory tires are the absolute worst tire I've ever ridden on in winter conditions. In fact, the car is very dangerous with the factory tires in winter conditions.

Anyway.....my 2 cents worth.

 

All the muscle cars of the sixties and seventies were rear wheel drive and did just fine. Based on how you drive them, if you think you have a race car during the winter you will spend more time in the ditch and body shop than any where else! There called snow tires for a reason. Luckly I have the luxury of being able to park mine for the winter.

 

I agree with Spartan 1510.
But, if the snow is deeper than 4 inches it can be rather chalenging....
I have driven 2 winters with appropriate winter tires and done just fine.

 

Mine sits in the garage during the winter. Plan on swapping tires at the hint of first snow fall. Just remember you'll be driving a rwd car with plenty of torque off-idle so keep it sensible. May want to stay away form the Base model since it doesn't have TCS.

The Blizzacks have a good rep. I know a guy that was looking to sell a set og 17 inch rims from a G35 with almost new Blizzacks. If you're interested I can check with him again and see if he still has them.

Good luck

 

I would plan on getting a 4X4 for the winter.You've got 3" of ground clearance. No matter what snow tires you put on it, and no matter how carefully you drive you're going to have problems. When the rear tires get to spinning, the rear end swings out wildly & unpredictably. I've noticed this even in the rain. Plus, you dont want to get salt & slush all over your interior...

Even if you're a perfect driver, there's everyone else on the road you'll have to worry about.

P.S. If this is going to be your only car, I would advise against it. In my opinion the Z is a summer only car.

Just my 2 cents.

 

Tires make all the difference. Everything that makes the Z a great handling car in the summer (weight balance and tires) is still there in the winter. Get the right snow tires, not all-seasons, and you will enjoy the car year-round. Ground clearance is always an issue, freshly fallen snow may drag the under carriage but no harm is generally done (watch out for those buried fire hydrants). The thing to note is after the snow has crusted (thawed and re-froze) or when bermed up from the plows. This stuff is alot more dense. So be careful with the frozen plastic front end when going over this snow or changing lanes. I have been very happy with Bridgestone Blizzaks and have several friends using them on various cars (Lexus IS300, AMG Mercedes, Mazda Miata). If the winter is more dry days than full-on-snow, I would choose the LM-22. It is a speed rated snow tire, so SOME of the Z's handling will still be there. Good luck

 

Yeah, alot of cars will have trouble in the snow. Hell, all the ground clearance in the world dosen't matter if you have crappy tires. My F150 SUCKS in the snow. My wifes civic is terrific.

If I had to drive the Z year round I would do it in a heartbeat. Just use caution and take your time. Rember, the Z is great sportscar but its not a Ferrari.

 

If anything, post in the regional forums or look up the local Z club and get feedback from the local Z owners.

 

If you get a manual just be sure you are very good with it, because if you go from 1st to 2nd or 2nd to 3rd in the snow and you come off a little quickly with the clutch, you are going to lose your grip real quick. Having said that, a magazine, I believe Car and Driver had a 350Z with Blizzak tires in the Chicago area and was able to make it around town in the winter. Good luck sir.

 

I drove my Z last winter and had no problems even in a couple of snowstorms. Got a set of ASA wheels with Blizzak WS-50's (they were out of the LM-22's) and they worked just fine. Definitely DO NOT drive with stock tires in the snow and leave the TCS on if the roads are the least bit sketchy. A quarter inch of snow and I couldn't make it out of my driveway on the the stock Bridgestones. The LM-22's are probably a better choice if you drive fast when the roads are clear but I drove the WS-50's regularly at 70-80 and pushed them a few times to 100 without a problem. Only downside is that they will squirm a bit under heavy braking and it gets worse as it gets warmer (40F+). HTH