370Z Winter Driving
 

Some idiot ran a red light yesterday and totaled my 06' STi. I'm thinking about replacing it with a 370Z but I live in Michigan and need to know how it handles in the snow with winter tires. I went and test drove one today and fell in love with it, as long as I can drive it in the winter and the insurance company totals my STi I'll get one.

The Z in the snow does not do so well which is strange since those 19" wheels ought to help, but I'll let the non California folks chime in on this.

If you got winter tires and the snow isnt too deep, then the Z is great. Only issue i had was the VDC and i disconnected the harness for it. Now its probably not as great as a AWD like your STi, but it handles great with the right tires.

The Z is perfectly drivable in snow if you mount winter tires. DO NOT drive in snow with summer tires! There are many, many threads on winter Z driving if you use the search function. The main limitation is the ground clearance which turns the Z into a snowplow if the snow is more than 4" deep. I had no problems at all last winter. This winter had record levels of snowfall and a couple times I had to swap cars and keep the Z in the garage (eg during the 20" snowfall blizzard last month). Some will suggest you buy a POS $1000 junk car to drive in the winter. If you have parking space and the extra money, that's a good option. However, you can certainly get away with the Z in the winter as long as you're willing to have an alternate plan on those rare, freak snowfall occasions. If you're in a rural area that's poorly plowed and has very deep snow, I'd strongly recommend a second SUV beater for the winter instead of the Z. Winter is tougher on cars with the potholes and road salt, but weekly car washing with an undercarriage spray has kept my Z looking pristine.

As a winter Z driver, these are the issues. Period. Anything else people say is just their own conjecture and you should probably ignore it. I'd ignore snow driving opinions from people living in California :). (yes, I might be a little jealous)

Can't wait to get those snows off huh, spearfish? :D

I'm in Kentucky and we don't get near the snow you do in Michigan, but I put Bridgestone Blizzak LM-60s on my Z for the winter and I couldn't be happier. Driving sensibly on the Blizzaks, the Z has been the best sportscar I've ever had in the snow and actually better than some FWDs I've driven.

I was taking my Z out for a spin in about 5-8cm snows with winter tires. I can tell ya, you will be drifting all over the place.:tup:

That's a cute bunny younter (avatar) :D

Spearfish, do you have the sport package? I'd imagine the LSD would come in handy in winter weather.

Can't speak for Spearfish but I had no issues with snow here in Boston. I have a Touring/Sport Package 6MT with Blizzak LM-60s and the only thing you have to watch out for is clearance like Spearfish said, although I'm guessing that would be an issue in the Evo/STi as well. Really, the Z handled much better than 90% of the cars out there: snow tires on RWD beat all-seasons on FWD any day.

I picked up a set of smaller wheels as well (18", 225) with the snow tires and I would suggest you do this as well for a better bite. The standard 19" 275 Sports Package setup might be pushing it in the snow.

Definitely get a ClearBra or a regular one to protect the bumper from all the sand and salt, and wash at least once a week with an undercarriage blast.

Yeah Dave, I have the sport package with LSD. I'm sensing the sport LSD is crappy anyway, but it probably helps somewhat.

I run the LM-60s on 18" cheap aftermarket wheels (still look pretty good though). I went with a 225/50/R18 square setup so I can swap them front to rear as the rears wear faster. The LM-60s are directional though, so no left-to-right swapping allowed.

And yes, Kenchan, I can't get the Blizzaks off soon enough! I'm thinking of doing an early swap this Sunday and then crossing my fingers that the snow is behind us. A bold move by a bold man.

I'm with Spearfish and gpolak, the Z with a proper set of shoes is more then capable of tackling a midwest winter. TireRack offers nice sets of 18" rims and 225 tires for about $ 1200, check the wheels and tires section for reviews. I also agree on the clear bra suggestion, kept my cars nose nice an shiny.

Fixed :tup:

Yah, im going to summers on my dd over the weekend too. And scheduled to pull out my z for the first time in 2011. :p

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

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.

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 :icon23:, but comments like that are very 'Fox News' fear provoking with little factual basis.

My experience with Blizzaks (not on a Z) was very positive. Best snows I ever owned. However, they flex like crazy, making cornering feel like a bus with all the passengers sitting on one side. My second choice would be Dunlap Winter Sports, which combine grip with performance.

I am very close to buying an aftermarket LSD. For snow driving only, of course ;)

Wait on removing those Blizzaks. Always remember, March comes in like a lion, and out like a different lion. :icon14:

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....

http://www.the370z.com/diy-section-d...t-removal.html

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

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?

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

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

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.

:iagree:

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.

:iagree: 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.

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

:iagree: x3

just took mine off 2 nights ago :tup:

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.

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.

In PA, the winter salt and cinders are so destructive on sports cars like the Z. Also, I don't want to expose my Z to the winter driving hazard of other less careful drivers sliding into it on these icy winter roads. It happens all the time here. Consider buying an affordable, older second car for the 3 or 4 winter months and keep your beautiful Z safe to enjoy during the other 8 or 9 months.

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.

Winter almost over WOOT WOOT!!

I agree that having a second, winter beater is the best way to go. That was my original plan, however living in a condo and having only one parking spot makes it difficult.

You have evoked the evil groundhog spirit red6spd. Now we will have a late March blizzard here in the northeast.

That fat rodent reads this forum. And he's a vindictive bastard.

Thanks a lot.

The groundhog is only right 40% of the time. Given that random chance would have him pegged at 50%, someone must be influencing his decisions.

Well, there is a lot of drinking in that part of PA...

:icon17: