Hey guys, thinking about making the switch from my AWD S4 to the Z. Just wondering how you guys are making out with our rain and snow storms here in NJ...this would be my first RWD car and making the switch from an AWD is gonna be a big one

 

maybe ask in the regional forum?

 

+1 regional forum.

lots of mixed responses on this, some say it's ok with winter tires. Others say it's the most holy car of all cars and you shouldn't drive it in any type of weather except a warm sunny day. I personally have a beater and drive that in bad conditions but I'm confident I could drive it short distances in the snow if absolutely neceesary.

 

The 350Z was never intended to be a 4-season sports car. You can alter it with accessories such as snow tires, but still it will be a compromise. You can’t turn a all-wheel drive SUV into a sports car, why attempt to turn a 350Z into a snow mobile.

 

Mine is my daily driver with Toyo Proxes4 tires all around. The only day I had any trouble was a couple weeks ago when we had that hail storm that froze over to ice overnight. I was late to work the next morning, but yersterday (2/26) no problems at all. I attribute it to the manual tranny, I think if I had an automatic, it would be worse. BTW, I have a 40 minute commute each way to work.

 

I drive mine nearly everyday and do not have winter tires. There has only been 1 day that I was not able to make it into work this year (the Valentine's Day Snow Storm). Luckilythey have been good this year with plowing the roads and salting.

 

Yeah the Valentines Day storm was pretty bad, but we rarely get anything real bad here in NJ anyway. Where in NJ are you guys from? Im in Wayne. Anyway, I would be using the Z as a daily driver so its good to see that it CAN be done. Of course snow tires would be used..

 

We really dont get hit with a lot of snow here in jersey so as long as you get some winter tires you should be able to manage. You have to learn how to drive in the snow though, its a completely different experience with a RWD car than it is with an AWD vehicle. I do suggest though that you have an SUV or some sort off beater car for the really bad weather

 

Well we've got an expedition and an ML in the family, so if worst comes to worst, I can end up using one of those. But as for the Z being my daily driver...I think I should be able to manage..

 

I agree with DavidZ on this. I don't think the Z was intended for inclement weather.
Personally I don't drive the Z in the Rain or snow (it is actually in storage until Mid April?) I use to have a G35 RWD and it wasn't too bad in the Rain, but a little snow! WOW it would spin a lot. If you have another car to drive, you should be fine......

 

+1 me and him do the same exact thing u def need a second car in NJ no question

 

Well, how are the Z's insurance in NJ? Anyone know off the top of their head? Considering a clean record...

 

I live in Hackensack and work in Wayne, NJ. I recently purchase my Z in January. On Feb. 14 (day of snow storm), I thought it would be a good idea to go to work in the Z. I took route 80 instead of 46. As soon as I got on I fishtailed and decided this was the dumbest idea-yet a good learning experience. I got stuck and had to get towed. I must mention that they did not plow route 80 at all..Thank goodness I had my old car! I took it to work that day....I will never drive the Z in the snow (even if I do someday get snow tires)...Will I turn the Z in, take a lost and get a different car-----no way!!! The Z is a great car IMO. BTW, my coworker has a RX-8 and drives in the snow with no problems...as well as my other coworker who has a CTS....
Ok, now for story #2...Last week I drove the Z to Vernon, NJ. It only rained in Wayne, but in Vernon it snowed - hard, and they did not plow!!! I would have turned around but I had a meeting....Lucky for me I was driving down hill and was able to follow the car tracks in front of me. When I left my meeting the roads were clear (thanks to township - great snow removal!!)..Lesson #2 - watch the weather channel!
Good luck!

 

Haha, great information there. Are you on snow tires anyway or stockies?

 

i made the switch from a audi TT to the Z ill tell you this the rain is not bad. as for snow your better off walking to where u need to go u might get there faster serious. but the car awsome performance and fun factor its great.

 

I live in Parsippany and have snows on my Z. However, if there's any real snow, like yesterday I just rent a car from Enterprise for about $40 for the day.

 

I am currently in Staten Island, but have lived in Watchung, Bridgewater and Hillsborough. I work in Middletown.

I have to say though, I am impressed with the Z in inclimate weather. Again, to repeat my earlier post, having a manual will help because you can regulate power to the wheels a bit. I am 32 and this is my 8th (?) rear wheel drive daily driver and it is by far one of the best.

My plan for next winter is to put some Nokian tires on the MB rims I have now (I don't care for them but it's what was on my Z when I bought it), and get a new set of rims for summer use. This way I can swap rims out.

Also, I have an inside track to picking up a 1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport for almost nothing to keep in case the weather gets real bad. Too bad it wasn't available a couple weeks ago.

The Nokian tires I am getting ($250/tire): http://www.nokiantyres.com/passenger...ame=NOKIAN+WR#

 

get a Jeep and call it a day.. don't waste your time... i had bridgestone blizzaks on my maxima and i could out run SUV's in snow storms all day.. i loved those tires... i thought about getting snow tires for my Z and then i thought.. if i did get in an accident i would be kicking myself for driving the Z.. so i picked up a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee... man i was doing 85 in the storm last night.. the Jeep is a beast

 

350z in snow=NNNNOOOO!!! the only advantage is that i can drift for miles upon miles

 

Alano, who the hell are you?

I'm in Wayne as well... you still in high school man?