Question for Minnesota or Midwest 370z owners

Colbizle · 03-21-2011, 12:31 AM

After poking around on this site for the past month I finally decide to register and ask a question. I am seriously considering buying a 370z as I have fell completely in love with the vehicle while looking to buy a new/used car and of course I have some questions on winter use of this car.

I know this question has been asked many times as I did do some research on here before asking it. But, I am looking for some more opinions especially after this last winter and snow storms that covered the midwest, specifically Minnesota.

Considering snow tires are a must.. Did you drive you 370z in the winter this year? If so, How well did your 370z fair in the Minnesota or Midwest winter these past couple of months??? (Especially in tough areas around the metro)

I am considering if I should keep my current vehicle (honda civic) as a winter beater and then buy the 370z and swap when the snow really hits. But, If I can avoid the extra costs all together.. well that would just be more convenient.

I would really like to hear some opinions from owners that actually experienced driving their Zs this winter. Thanks in advance!

Oh and I currently live in Bloomington. (For all you other Minnesotans out there)

Cell · 03-21-2011, 12:58 AM

Garaged my car for the winter... no idea how it is but I did drive a SUV.

If you got near 2 foot of snow like we did in Chicago then you will not be able to drive the Z even with snow tires. You will just push snow. Other than that if you had snow tires you would be fine.

TreeSemdyZee · 03-21-2011, 02:21 AM

IMO if you can drive a Civic in the snow, you can drive the Z with snow tires.

kenchan · 03-21-2011, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeSemdyZee

IMO if you can drive a Civic in the snow, you can drive the Z with snow tires.

Nnnnn, false.

you really can't drive rwd on bad snow days even with snows.
I too have a pos dd with snow tires for winter.

spearfish25 · 03-21-2011, 07:47 AM

If I 1) had a Civic already and 2) had an extra garage parking space, I'd have kept it for the winter. You can certainly get by with the Z. However, driving a Z with snow tires takes away all the machismo fun of the car...you might as well be driving a Civic. We also just worked on our Zs yesterday and one of our friends keeps his in the garage all winter. His car looked showroom new underneath while ours were caked with dirt and grime. Would I like to have a perfect looking Z? Sure. It's just not possible with my current living situation. I wouldn't let winter stop you from owning one though...no regrets here!

TreeSemdyZee · 03-21-2011, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

Nnnnn, false.

you really can't drive rwd on bad snow days even with snows.
I too have a pos dd with snow tires for winter.

False back at ya.
I've driven the last two winters with snow tires on the Z.
Remember when ALL cars were RWD?

kenchan · 03-21-2011, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TreeSemdyZee

False back at ya.
I've driven the last two winters with snow tires on the Z.
Remember when ALL cars were RWD?

Screw you I have a better looking detailing cart so there! You can't win.

haggomyeggo · 03-21-2011, 08:58 AM

Dude I like in or around the STL area. I havent driven the 370 in snow yet but I had a 350Z before and i just kept all weather tires on it. and i never had a problem. With the VDC system in the car it never slid as long as i drove normal and wasnt trying to crash.

Now the 370 I plan on getting a dedicated set of winter wheels and tires. I also have the option of driving a family suburban if needs be so i think it comes down to how much snow you get. Yeah if there is like 6in on the ground i would leave the Z at home. otherwise get some winter tires or at least some all seasons with light snow rating and go for it. Just make sure you wash the car good especially the underbody afterward to get rid of all the salt and whatever else they put on the roads.

oh and in case you havent see it,this is worth a good top gear laugh and it includes snow.

TreeSemdyZee · 03-21-2011, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

Screw you I have a better looking detailing cart so there! You can't win.

I hate detailing. I like the results, but hate the work. No garage either.

And I keep my stuff in a food cooler.

Blue370tt · 03-21-2011, 09:13 AM

Having lived in Mound MN (on lake Minnie) for three years, I would advise against driving the Z in snow. I would recommend driving your FWD civic during snow days. Thats what I did.

Some on here will say that "you can do it with snow tires" and you can. That being said, the way the weight is distributed in the Z makes it difficult even with snow tires.

I wouldnt risk it........but thats me.

gbrettin · 03-21-2011, 09:43 AM

I live in Michigan and have driven the 370z in the worst snow storms. The car will drive in the snow. Yes, there are better cars to drive in the snow. The civic will be no better than your Z when you have a good set of snow tires. Keep in mind not everyday is a blizzard.

onzedge · 03-21-2011, 09:56 AM

What is "Snow"?

gbrettin · 03-21-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

What is "Snow"?

I hope to forget it soon. I will be moving to Phoenix, AZ in about a year.

Colbizle · 03-21-2011, 01:39 PM

Thank you for everyone response! It's great hearing ppl opinions. Anyone else have experience to share as well?

Colbizle · 03-21-2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbrettin

I live in Michigan and have driven the 370z in the worst snow storms. The car will drive in the snow. Yes, there are better cars to drive in the snow. The civic will be no better than your Z when you have a good set of snow tires. Keep in mind not everyday is a blizzard.

Very well put. Thank you.

03-21-2011, 12:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
Colbizle Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 115 Drives: MB 370z Rep Power: 14	Question for Minnesota or Midwest 370z owners After poking around on this site for the past month I finally decide to register and ask a question. I am seriously considering buying a 370z as I have fell completely in love with the vehicle while looking to buy a new/used car and of course I have some questions on winter use of this car. I know this question has been asked many times as I did do some research on here before asking it. But, I am looking for some more opinions especially after this last winter and snow storms that covered the midwest, specifically Minnesota. Considering snow tires are a must.. Did you drive you 370z in the winter this year? If so, How well did your 370z fair in the Minnesota or Midwest winter these past couple of months??? (Especially in tough areas around the metro) I am considering if I should keep my current vehicle (honda civic) as a winter beater and then buy the 370z and swap when the snow really hits. But, If I can avoid the extra costs all together.. well that would just be more convenient. I would really like to hear some opinions from owners that actually experienced driving their Zs this winter. Thanks in advance! Oh and I currently live in Bloomington. (For all you other Minnesotans out there)

03-21-2011, 07:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
spearfish25 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 4,117 Drives: to work Rep Power: 1856	If I 1) had a Civic already and 2) had an extra garage parking space, I'd have kept it for the winter. You can certainly get by with the Z. However, driving a Z with snow tires takes away all the machismo fun of the car...you might as well be driving a Civic. We also just worked on our Zs yesterday and one of our friends keeps his in the garage all winter. His car looked showroom new underneath while ours were caked with dirt and grime. Would I like to have a perfect looking Z? Sure. It's just not possible with my current living situation. I wouldn't let winter stop you from owning one though...no regrets here! __________________ 2013 Cadillac V-Wagon, RIP Z

03-21-2011, 09:56 AM	#12 (permalink)
onzedge A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Battle Lake MN Age: 63 Posts: 183,964 Drives: 370Z 240Z Rep Power: 2684736	What is "Snow"? __________________ Koni\|Swift\|Michelin\|Motordyne\|Berk\|RJM Performance\|Gates\|SPL\|Motul\|Technafit\|Ate Super Blue\|Hawk Tommy Kaira\|Momo\|Optima\|Hella\|Hotchkis\|Red Line\|ZSpeed\|Stillen\|B&M\|H&R

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03-21-2011, 12:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cell A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,449 Drives: A Garbage Truck Rep Power: 21	Garaged my car for the winter... no idea how it is but I did drive a SUV. If you got near 2 foot of snow like we did in Chicago then you will not be able to drive the Z even with snow tires. You will just push snow. Other than that if you had snow tires you would be fine.

03-21-2011, 02:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 60 Posts: 4,883 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27408	IMO if you can drive a Civic in the snow, you can drive the Z with snow tires.

03-21-2011, 08:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
haggomyeggo A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: IL Posts: 1,723 Drives: Steves old cars Rep Power: 17	Dude I like in or around the STL area. I havent driven the 370 in snow yet but I had a 350Z before and i just kept all weather tires on it. and i never had a problem. With the VDC system in the car it never slid as long as i drove normal and wasnt trying to crash. Now the 370 I plan on getting a dedicated set of winter wheels and tires. I also have the option of driving a family suburban if needs be so i think it comes down to how much snow you get. Yeah if there is like 6in on the ground i would leave the Z at home. otherwise get some winter tires or at least some all seasons with light snow rating and go for it. Just make sure you wash the car good especially the underbody afterward to get rid of all the salt and whatever else they put on the roads. oh and in case you havent see it,this is worth a good top gear laugh and it includes snow.

03-21-2011, 09:13 AM	#10 (permalink)
Blue370tt Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 279 Drives: Nissan Juke Rep Power: 14	Having lived in Mound MN (on lake Minnie) for three years, I would advise against driving the Z in snow. I would recommend driving your FWD civic during snow days. Thats what I did. Some on here will say that "you can do it with snow tires" and you can. That being said, the way the weight is distributed in the Z makes it difficult even with snow tires. I wouldnt risk it........but thats me.

03-21-2011, 09:43 AM	#11 (permalink)
gbrettin A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Portage, MI Posts: 2,256 Drives: Tricycle Rep Power: 569016	I live in Michigan and have driven the 370z in the worst snow storms. The car will drive in the snow. Yes, there are better cars to drive in the snow. The civic will be no better than your Z when you have a good set of snow tires. Keep in mind not everyday is a blizzard.

03-21-2011, 01:39 PM	#14 (permalink)
Colbizle Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Minnesota Posts: 115 Drives: MB 370z Rep Power: 14	Thank you for everyone response! It's great hearing ppl opinions. Anyone else have experience to share as well?