Winter beater

HEK · 02-08-2015, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duc_Z09

Sure, you can probably get away with driving a Z in snow, but why would you? According to your profile you're 56 years old, so you have plenty of experience and know damn well that a Z is one of the worst winter-performing cars you can possibly buy. Why not have a winter beater and stop endangering yourself and everyone else on the road? They're out there; I got a 2004 Grand Cherokee for $1500.

Here's why I don't drive lightweight RWD cars in the winter if I have an alternative. It's just common sense. The first one is me last year, the 2nd is my wife 2 weeks ago.

I have wifey's 2014 Rogue to my disposal since she works from home. Clearly if we get a blizzard I will choose the Rogue but my point here is that I bought the Z as my daily driver and will drive it during the Winter because I control the vehicle not just aim it as most people do. I don't text, drink or eat in the car I drive because is not the car that causes accidents but most times is driver error. I went to both tractor trailer school and Top Gun driving classes back in the day (not sure if even exists now) so I'm confident not cocky that I can maneuver the vehicle under most driving conditions and well I'm going off topic but thank's for the advise

4TthAnnyZ · 02-08-2015, 10:34 AM

I bought a Pathfinder to replace my old Volvo this winter. VQ love!

JDubya · 02-08-2015, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duc_Z09

Sure, you can probably get away with driving a Z in snow, but why would you? According to your profile you're 56 years old, so you have plenty of experience and know damn well that a Z is one of the worst winter-performing cars you can possibly buy. Why not have a winter beater and stop endangering yourself and everyone else on the road? They're out there; I got a 2004 Grand Cherokee for $1500.

Here's why I don't drive lightweight RWD cars in the winter if I have an alternative. It's just common sense. The first one is me last year, the 2nd is my wife 2 weeks ago.

While I understand where you're coming from, and agree that a winter beater would be the best option, I'll argue that the Z really isn't that awful in the snow.

The Z has 3 issues in the snow: 1. Clearance, 2. Stock tires. 3. Other drivers who think their SUVs & FWD/AWD cars with all season tires are tanks.

Everything else (RWD for example) is not that big of a deal.

With winter tires, the Z is completely reasonable in the snow, provided it isn't so much that you're plowing it and assuming you drive reasonably with respect to the conditions. My Z with winter tires handles better than my Altima with all seasons ever did in the snow.

Anyway, this topic has been beaten to death on these forums. Youtube can provide at least 5-6 videos of Zs getting around just fine in the snow.

roadrash666 · 02-08-2015, 11:23 AM

Here's my wifes winter 'beater', it was her DD before she got her Z. Her car doesn't leave the driveway if there's salt on the roads, much less snow. People in St.Louis can't drve in the snow, so it's better to drive the tank and leave the Z in the driveway where it's safe.

synolimit · 02-08-2015, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duc_Z09

Sure, you can probably get away with driving a Z in snow, but why would you? According to your profile you're 56 years old, so you have plenty of experience and know damn well that a Z is one of the worst winter-performing cars you can possibly buy. Why not have a winter beater and stop endangering yourself and everyone else on the road? They're out there; I got a 2004 Grand Cherokee for $1500.

Here's why I don't drive lightweight RWD cars in the winter if I have an alternative. It's just common sense. The first one is me last year, the 2nd is my wife 2 weeks ago.

First off a Z isn't lightweight haha. Fuel and drivers 3500 lbs. A Miatas light weight. Second Id take a Corvette with snow tires vs anything else with with summers or all seasons. Stoping and turning has NOTHING to do with power or RWD!

If you crashed those cars like that it was because of poor equipment, poor skills or both. Pretty sure this is why it's illegal to have a car in Germany during winter without and ice/snow tire.

JF450 · 02-08-2015, 02:01 PM

Exactly what Scott just said. I don't daily drive the Z, but I do take it out once or twice a week. I live in Montreal and the winters are pretty harsh here, with lots of ice, slush and snow.

I never had any problems controlling any of the RWD vehicules I owned. (1987 chevette, 1989 mustang gt) And back then winter tires weren't even mandatory, now they are from Dec 15th to March 15th, and they make a HUGE difference.

Spooler · 02-08-2015, 03:24 PM

What is this snow you talk of? I am outside in shorts and a t-shirt today. Never seen the stuff.

HEK · 02-08-2015, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spooler

What is this snow you talk of? I am outside in shorts and a t-shirt today. Never seen the stuff.

No wonder you guys lost the war...........

JC-Nismo · 02-08-2015, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spooler

What is this snow you talk of? I am outside in shorts and a t-shirt today. Never seen the stuff.

Yes Sir, it's beautiful here in Georgia today, 67 degrees, sunny and not a cloud in site.

Duc_Z09 · 02-08-2015, 04:59 PM

I considered a set of winter rims and tires, but decided it was only marginally more expensive to get a cheap 4WD and throw a lift on it.

Now I'm having a blast crawling over rocks and splashing through mud. Best of all, I don't care if something happens to it.

HEK · 02-08-2015, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duc_Z09

I considered a set of winter rims and tires, but decided it was only marginally more expensive to get a cheap 4WD and throw a lift on it.

Now I'm having a blast crawling over rocks and splashing through mud. Best of all, I don't care if something happens to it.

Before my Z I drove a Beetle Turbo and before that a FJ and I got around in all the same way, each one had it plusses and minuses but right now I have the vehicle I'm planning on retiring with

kenchan · 02-08-2015, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HEK

Before my Z I drove a Beetle Turbo and before that a FJ and I got around in all the same way, each one had it plusses and minuses but right now I have the vehicle I'm planning on retiring with

yah, just proof you're not really a car guy.

HEK · 02-08-2015, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

yah, just proof you're not really a car guy.

Hey it's like I tell those who marry their High School sweetheart, you have steak now and one day you will want a greasy hamburg, better off trying different flavors before you commit yourself to the one you will try to spend the rest of your life with......

mhill0425 · 02-08-2015, 10:42 PM

daily driven means daily driven, even in the Iowa snow.

synolimit · 02-08-2015, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HEK

Before my Z I drove a Beetle Turbo and before that a FJ and I got around in all the same way, each one had it plusses and minuses but right now I have the vehicle I'm planning on retiring with

Well my beaters insurance is $32 a month just for liability. You have to add that into account. Wheels and tires get paid off, a beater never stops.

02-08-2015, 02:01 PM	#21 (permalink)
JF450 Base Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Canada Posts: 72 Drives: 2015 Evo GSR Rep Power: 10	Exactly what Scott just said. I don't daily drive the Z, but I do take it out once or twice a week. I live in Montreal and the winters are pretty harsh here, with lots of ice, slush and snow. I never had any problems controlling any of the RWD vehicules I owned. (1987 chevette, 1989 mustang gt) And back then winter tires weren't even mandatory, now they are from Dec 15th to March 15th, and they make a HUGE difference. HEK likes this. __________________ No more Z

02-08-2015, 03:24 PM	#22 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 13,533 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684391	What is this snow you talk of? I am outside in shorts and a t-shirt today. Never seen the stuff. HEK and JC-Nismo like this.

02-08-2015, 04:59 PM	#25 (permalink)
Duc_Z09 Track Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Frederick MD Posts: 876 Drives: With the blinker on. Rep Power: 23	I considered a set of winter rims and tires, but decided it was only marginally more expensive to get a cheap 4WD and throw a lift on it. Now I'm having a blast crawling over rocks and splashing through mud. Best of all, I don't care if something happens to it. __________________ 2009 370z #206 (all mods are Home Depot) 2009 Ducati 848 (full Ohlins, Termignoni, etc) 2003 Grand Cherokee (long arms, big tires, 4.56, lockers)

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