370Z Winter Driving

spearfish25 · 03-10-2011, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB1

Fixed

Wrong friend, Old Man. I have a nice full head of hair. Adam however...

Red__Zed · 03-10-2011, 08:46 PM

The Z is certainly driveable in the snow, but it's not really something I would recommend. Besides the weight distribution and RWD nature of the cars, it's also not terribly rust-resistant.

The car will handle it, but you have to be careful, and it's up to you whether it's worth it.

spearfish25 · 03-10-2011, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

...it's also not terribly rust-resistant.

Is your Z rusting? Mine has been through two winters and it's not rusting at all. Which parts are you concerned about?

I'm not trying to be an

, but comments like that are very 'Fox News' fear provoking with little factual basis.

Red__Zed · 03-10-2011, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

Is your Z rusting? Mine has been through two winters and it's not rusting at all. Which parts are you concerned about?

I'm not trying to be an

, but comments like that are very 'Fox News' fear provoking with little factual basis.

Nope, but I also don't drive mine in snow.

There's quite a few threads where rust can be observed on the underbody of the car. It was a complaint on the 350z, and Nissan actually spent less effort inhibiting rust on our cars.

Even just bring up the first thread on exhaust shows rust underneath the car....

DIY: Stock Catback Exhaust Removal

They also have a tendency to rust around the differential, and some of the underbody braces...

cossie1600 · 03-10-2011, 11:20 PM

I never had the chance to peak under the car, but I remember my 350 had surface rust spots all underneath the car after its first winter. I assume the 370 is similar?

spearfish25 · 03-11-2011, 07:07 AM

That's routine for all cars. The usual owners worrying about everything.

Red__Zed · 03-12-2011, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spearfish25

That's routine for all cheap cars. The usual owners worrying about everything.

Sure. I'd rather keep my Z clean and summer only.
People that worry about these things tend to have cars that live nice long lives. People that don't worry about them...well, I make sure to never buy cars from them.

My subaru has gotten covered in salt, and has almost as many miles as the Z and it's spotless. Subaru actually put some decent rust protection underneath the car, whereas Nissan put almost none. Of course, I can't blame them. There's not a whole lot of reason to rust-proof the heck out of a summer car.

cossie1600 · 03-11-2011, 09:29 AM

no way, my volvo xc70 was spotless after 10 years compare to my 350 in 2 months.

gbrettin · 03-11-2011, 11:04 AM

I live in Michigan and have no issues. Getting a set of Blizzak tires for winter is a must. Don't mat the peddle when it is snowing and you will be fine.

As for rust concerns, I have an unlimited package to the carwash. I bought the car to enjoy... not to sit.

spearfish25 · 03-11-2011, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbrettin

I bought the car to enjoy... not to sit.

For those who are truly concerned about surface rust, the vast majority of the parts mentioned are quite easily replaceable should it ever come to that.

Highway · 03-11-2011, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbrettin

I bought the car to enjoy... not to sit.

x2

I already wasted 2 years on a garage queen. I think I only put 1000 miles on it in that time.

I'm not putting the Z on a pedestal...it's going to be seeing a lot of road.

JB1 · 03-11-2011, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbrettin

I bought the car to enjoy... not to sit.

x3

m4a1mustang · 03-11-2011, 12:07 PM

Snow driving is fun with the right setup. But I'm ready to get these damn Dunlop Wintersports off my car.

Jeffblue · 03-11-2011, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Snow driving is fun with the right setup. But I'm ready to get these damn Dunlop Wintersports off my car.

just took mine off 2 nights ago

i drove my Z in the snow this winter with dunlop sp wintersport M3's on stock 18's in 245/45/18 all around. Great setup. Car handled great and i'm lowered on coilovers too.

Sizzle · 03-12-2011, 12:06 AM

I'm across the river from you (OP) and I had no issues this winter. The rear end likes to swing out if you give it a little too much gas but if you lift off right away, it straightens right out again. Make sure you're ready for the cost of the snow tires though, I paid $1200 for mine at Belletire...it was a good investment for sure though.

03-11-2011, 07:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1857	That's routine for all cars. The usual owners worrying about everything. __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

03-11-2011, 11:04 AM	#9 (permalink)
gbrettin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 2,302 Drives: Tricycle Rep Power: 589151	I live in Michigan and have no issues. Getting a set of Blizzak tires for winter is a must. Don't mat the peddle when it is snowing and you will be fine. As for rust concerns, I have an unlimited package to the carwash. I bought the car to enjoy... not to sit. Last edited by gbrettin; 03-11-2011 at 11:09 AM.

03-11-2011, 12:07 PM	#13 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	Snow driving is fun with the right setup. But I'm ready to get these damn Dunlop Wintersports off my car. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

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03-10-2011, 08:46 PM	#2 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 121	The Z is certainly driveable in the snow, but it's not really something I would recommend. Besides the weight distribution and RWD nature of the cars, it's also not terribly rust-resistant. The car will handle it, but you have to be careful, and it's up to you whether it's worth it.

03-10-2011, 11:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 31	I never had the chance to peak under the car, but I remember my 350 had surface rust spots all underneath the car after its first winter. I assume the 370 is similar?

03-11-2011, 09:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 31	no way, my volvo xc70 was spotless after 10 years compare to my 350 in 2 months.

03-12-2011, 12:06 AM	#15 (permalink)
Sizzle Base Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Windsor, ON Posts: 45 Drives: 2010 Black Roadster Rep Power: 15	I'm across the river from you (OP) and I had no issues this winter. The rear end likes to swing out if you give it a little too much gas but if you lift off right away, it straightens right out again. Make sure you're ready for the cost of the snow tires though, I paid $1200 for mine at Belletire...it was a good investment for sure though.