Here in Colorado, winter has arrived. Yesterday, an arctic front blew through and snow, wind and sub-zero temps came as a shock to the system. Not a day to be skating around in a high-powered RWD sports car with hi-po summer tires! But the last few days driving my winter beater (which seems to have developed an intermittant electrical fault), makes me long for my Z.

Like many of you, my coupe is safely tucked away in the garage. Yet my gaze falls upon it just as I turn off the lights. It's brilliance, both dynamically and visually, seems to shine through the darkness.

It's been over three years since taking delivery of this car and it's notable how much satisfaction I still have driving it. Can't wait for the weather and the roads to clear!

 

Same here bud, only my car is tucked away in NM. All I got are pics to gaze at lol. But I did get a ride in Kelly's (kcobean)'s absolutely gorgeous Vizage/Turbonetics Z and what a rush! I wish I could drive my Z this weekend

 

.....Jonezzz has been reduced to living vicariously through the descriptions of roadster owners in New Zealand..... .

 

Driving my truck into work today and the roads remain white from snow or a heavy build up of mag chloride and/or ice slicer! The outside temps are coming up in the front range this weekend, but that may not be enough to get the Z out.

But for JoneZZZ, I've been to Chicago and I know how difficult winters can be there. The snow never seems to melt in your climate and location! Although we live in Colorado, there's going to be clear, sunny and blue sky days in the middle of winter that'll allow us to get our Z's out for a few days of fun.

 

LOL!!
Yeah, winter sucks. It's been so long since I've driven the Z, I wonder if I shouldn't just remove it from insurance and block it for a couple of months. My 4x4 beater broke down on me today. Again. In the -3 degree morning. It's about the fifth time this year, but all in all it does well for the $350 i paid. Distibutor cap was cracked, probably a combo of age and the cold. replaced it and the rotor and all is well again, but the whole time I kept thinking, "people in San Diego don't have this problem..."
Will

 

were supposed to get around 8-10" of snow tonight in PA..

 

Yep- my 200SX Se-R even let me down with an intermittant electrical fault. It's never let me down in a race, but every now and then, the ignition seems to get interrupted, lights will flash and it's dead. Funny, I knew I'd get around to fixing it before it happens on a freezing cold night- LOL!

I'd think twice before taking the Z off insurance. There's always a freaky deal that could be covered under comprehensive (even if it's parked right there, safe and warm, in the garage) and you don't want any questions about a "non-covered" period.

 

Well, all you guys who have parked your Z can just envy me. I drive it everyday (since my truck got stolen). I put on Blizzak WS-50's and the Z handles the snow and ice pretty well. Been driving it every day (It beats the motorcycle) and it has surprised me. I guess the snow tires make a difference. When the deep snow comes I park it and stay home from work. Maybe go skiing with a friend with a van.

 

Craig we gots to hookup on them snowy days. I use a beater when too much of the white stuff falls, but am able to feel a cough (cold) coming on when it gets too deep! My GF and I went Monday to Breck... not the coldest day I've ever been up there, but it was a close second.

I don't see too many cruise post lately... wonder why?!!!?

 

Craig- With the Z's 53/47 weight distribution, it's not the ideal snow car. Give us an idea of how those Blizzacks work with the car. Have you tried the full-on, four wheel drift around a deserted bend yet?

If anyone is up for it, I usually ski at Loveland. Maybe a ski/ride meet sometime?

 

I got a great drift on my way home from work about two weeks ago. I went to work in the Z, the sun was out and I didn't see a problem. Then it starts snowing, and by the time I leave, there's maybe half an inch that's stuck and everything's starting to freeze, between my R-comps and the open diff, I was having ball. There's no better format for learning the finer points of throttle control, those tires broke loose at the slightest twitch on the ice and snow. Good times.
David, I garaged it after that, and I would leave the comp on, that's cheap anyhow, but the collision and liability would save me $100 month. After that last ordeal, I don't think I'll drive it again until spring. I took it out that morning because the last time I had driven it was our drive in the mountains like a month earlier and wanted to get it out of the garage for a bit, and it turned out to be a bad day to stretch its legs. I'd rather not risk it again, I'm not going to drive it very often in the winter anyhow, and the savings would help to buy new tires for next year. I think a good track day in March would be a great time to bring it out of hibernation and warm up the Advans again!
Will

 

Will- I hear you. The only problem with March is that it's almost always the snowiest month we have in Colorado. You might recall that we managed to sneak in a Jan or Feb track day in the past and the conditions were perfect! It's always a bit unpredictable (like last weekend), but we can always cancel a track day if need be.

Have you decided to let those R-compound Advans stay on the Z? They'll be beggin' to be taken out a track day in early '06! If you do decide to park the Z, consider putting the car up on jack stands and putting the wheels and tires into those black plastic yard bags to preserve a little grip...

 

Your right about March weather, I remember sneaking out to LaJunta I think in March, and it was storming in Denver, but sunny and nice in LaJunta. Figures. Yeah, the R-comps are still on, and as I posted above, they suck in the snow and ice, LOL. Last winter I stored it in my garage for almost three months and did just as you suggested and put the car on stands and kept the wheels off. I was a little apprehensive about it this season, as it seemed people would be up for more meets and drives than last winter, but now I'm really thinking of putting it away for awhile. Like I said, I have only driven it once since our drive, and the weather can be to unpredictable here in the Springs. If we have a track day as early as Jan, that would be cool, Feb, March... you know me, anytimes a good time for some speed
Will

 

Did somebody say track day? Anytime works for me. I'll never forget the La Junta track day a couple of years ago where it was cold and snowy in Denver, but bright and sunny down in La Junta...it was like we had our own little universe, complete with good weather and a private race track, totally insulated from the outside world. Good times.

As for snowy driving, I had the pleasure of taking my wife's Audi Allroad out in the snow the other night, and I have to say that QUATTRO KICKS ***!!!! After some experimentation, I found myself with the opportunity and the confidence to do a 40 mph slalom up a hill with 2 inches of snow on the ground as if it were the middle of summer, just because I could. Of course the slip light was coming on like crazy, but the steering was nice and direct (although a tad bit less sensitive than in the dry due to the stability control kicking in and braking the appropriate wheels to maintain steering control under full ABS/steering lock conditions.) It really was impressive to have that much control in road conditions that my senses were telling me were impossible to have any grip in at all.

Here's hoping for a track day soon, and looking forward to lots of mountain drives with the group next summer!

 

I haven't tried a full on slide yet but the Z will spin fairly easily if you want it to but with TCS on and the snow tires it behaves quite nicely if throttle use is judicious. Turn off the TCS and it becomes a different creature, even with snow tires. When I do that I just picture the car after my incident 2 years ago. That puts a damper on playtime.

Note the pics from that event

 

After my last experience with the Z in the snow, I went out and brought a used Honda CRV. It handles like a champ in the snow. Now, I only plan on bring out the on really nice days this winter. There have been a ton of post on this site about Z wrecking in the snow and icy so guys becareful.

 

Well, it's been almost six days since the winter storm. All it took was a few days of sunny, 40+ degree weather to melt most of the snow. Took the cover off the Z and backed her out of the garage. What a relief! The roads in metro Denver had just a few patches of wet or melting snow on them as I drove through the tech center.

It sure was a relief to get back to driving the Z (for now). My withdrawl symptoms can get pretty extreme!

 

Yeah, I need to do the same with my Z. I have even started it in almost a week. I need a Z fix pretty soon before I get the shakes.

 

When I got home from work today I washed my Z. The hose was frozen so I had to get another and the driveway turned to ice as I washed but the Z is now clean. David, you asked how my snow tires are doing. On my steep, icy driveway the tires did not slip once. I pulled the car up the driveway and into the garage to dry it. No slipping. I backed it down to get it back in the garage on my side and it didn't slip in either direction. The driveway was so icy that I could not walk on it but the car did okay.

 

Craig- How do those Blizzacks work on dry pavement? Once you got the tire store mix up solved, did your Z go back to it's sharp handling mode, or do the snowtires detract from the experience?