370z vs. snow
 

Hey all,

I'm looking at transitioning into a new car now that I'm about to start a real job out of college. Right now I drive a sub-500 hp 2007 Civic SI, which is fun and all, but I'm sick of the FWD limitations and the overall cheapness of it.

I live in MN, so my first thought was to pick up an EvoX. I've always loved those cars, loved the AWD, etc. I'm still contemplating that one..

On the other hand, the 370z has been just about my most favorite car since it came out a few years ago. Love the styling, the exhaust note, the overall package is just fantastic. Also, I have a nissan dealership 5 miles from my house, and the closest mitsu dealer is about 75 miles.

My only real concern is winter driving. If I get a 370z, it will more than likely be the nismo variant (I believe I read they did away with the manual trans if you don't get a nismo model? Is that true??). 40k on a car is about my upper limit with what I'll be making at my new job, so buying a second winter beater is out of the question.

So, ultimately, is RWD as horrendous as I've heard in the snow? Everyone I know keeps telling me to avoid RWD like the plague.. yet I find myself having more traction issues than anyone in the snow in my FWD civic.

Thanks

If i were you and could afford it, I would keep the civic as a winter beater and save the Z for months w/o snow/ice all over the roads. Traction in the snow won't be any different with the Z, the difference will be that instead of your front wheels spinning, it will be the rear wheels. Also, as far as I know that thing about manuals only being available on the NISMO is a lie. If all your dealer has are autos, tell him your only interested in a manual. If they want the sale they will get the car you want. And if you want a NISMO, why not get one that is a year or two old? It would be a little cheaper and maybe you could hang on to the civic?

I think with good snow tires and some weight in the back, it might be OK. Remember at one time all cars were rear wheel drive and they managed to get around. The biggest limitation will be ground clearance.

I've been looking for a used NISMO, there are _none_ around here. I've been looking into having one shipped, but the idea of flying out to see a car and then paying to ship it back and yada yada doesn't appeal much to me.

And I haven't actually gone to the dealership yet. I'm only 22, so I won't be taken seriously unless I walk in ready to buy. I only read about Nissan not offering manual trans options in the non-NISMO variants earlier when I was googling, wasn't sure how true it was.

Bummer about the traction, though. I don't really want to keep the civic as I only have one parking spot, and have little desire to have it sitting around.

yes, rwd is absolutely horrendous in winter conditions/ice/sleet/snow:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5091/...763d3dcb_z.jpg

Evo X is a beast in snow though...

Top Gear USA Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR Review/ Challenge - YouTube

No, that is not true. You can get a manual in all variants of the 370z.



The Z is not bad in snow. It's a RWD car, and requires a bit of extra care, but it is definitely driveable. You will probably need sandbags in the back on the more slippery days, and you will definitely need to be running quality snow tires, and your ground clearance will be limited, but there is no reason you can't.


On the other hand, if you have never driven a RWD car in snow before, you may not want to learn on the Z.

Get the sport package which has Limited Slip Differential.
Get winter tires (Blizzak LM-60 or Michelin X-Ice X2).

That's what I did and I'm not worried. Lots of people in the forums have had success with that combo.

Forget about just dealing with snow, why not have fun with it instead?
EvoX or an '11 STi can give you some dangerous amounts of fun when you put some snow tires on.

^^ +1

If I can't sell my Evo X by winter I'm not going to be upset... :)

Makes me sad in pants :(

Wow :eek: How "sub" is "sub"?

You can get the manual on the base and touring coups and touring roadster. I wouldn't get a Nismo or Touring, neither are worth the money. Base + sport is the way to go.

It looks to have summer tires on it, I call that retarded....

me too :shakes head:

i was hit by an eighteen wheeler after i lost control merging onto the highway in winter weather. my VDC was on and didn't engage. it was a sad, sad day...

Nah, I think I had all seasons on at the time.