Life of a Daily Driven Z in Crap Roads And **** Ton of Snow

JohnsZ · 02-25-2014, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onzedge

Why on earth would one even think that driving the 370Z in snow regularly is a good idea? It is beyond my comprehension.

Your observations on the perils of summer tires in near-freezing an below temperatures are quite astute though. Seriously? Summer tires in cold and snow are dangerous? Wow.

Not every Z owner has a choice on whether or not to drive their Z's in winter weather with snow, ice, extreme cold etc. Did you ever think that for some Z owners, it might be our only car? I would love to be able to afford a beat up DD so I can garage my Z. I have driven mine in the winter up here in CT for the past 2 years. I use it to commute back and forth to work, 45 miles each way. The first year I had performance tires and I learned very quickly that I wasn't going anywhere with even the slightest amount of snow on the road. This year I bought Conti's Pure Contact and they are awesome. I haven't been out on anything deeper than a few inches of snow but it handles great in any amount up to that. I also added 2, 35 lbs of kitty litter to the trunk which doesn't hurt. The Z is better in the snow than most people think and I get to drive it year round. I'm going to enjoy every day...winter, spring, summer, and fall in my Z which now has over 48k miles and is in pristine condition. Yes...I wish I was lucky enough to be able to garage my Z and drive some old beater to work. But then, I wouldn't be able to enjoy my Z year round. By the way, the heated seats work great!

ElVee · 02-25-2014, 05:03 PM

I *could* drive the Z in the winter, but my Z sits in an unheated garage at my apartment complex. Even if I did drive it, I would need to religiously wash it, and I only wash things that are not sitting out in freezing temps over night.

This winter would not be good. Here in Iowa we've pretty much had ice and snow on the roads more days than not, and on off days, it's terribly cold or messy. I've only had the Z out once this winter on a Sunday in early January where we had just the right conditions to safely drive it.

Otherwise, way too bad of roads around here this season. (Maybe only 3-4 days where the raw snowfall was too much...)

Seeing the rust on my winter driver reminds me why I need to wait it out for spring. Just a reality for people living in locations with a real winter.

b15 · 02-25-2014, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnsZ

Not every Z owner has a choice on whether or not to drive their Z's in winter weather with snow, ice, extreme cold etc. Did you ever think that for some Z owners, it might be our only car? I would love to be able to afford a beat up DD so I can garage my Z. I have driven mine in the winter up here in CT for the past 2 years. I use it to commute back and forth to work, 45 miles each way. The first year I had performance tires and I learned very quickly that I wasn't going anywhere with even the slightest amount of snow on the road. This year I bought Conti's Pure Contact and they are awesome. I haven't been out on anything deeper than a few inches of snow but it handles great in any amount up to that. I also added 2, 35 lbs of kitty litter to the trunk which doesn't hurt. The Z is better in the snow than most people think and I get to drive it year round. I'm going to enjoy every day...winter, spring, summer, and fall in my Z which now has over 48k miles and is in pristine condition. Yes...I wish I was lucky enough to be able to garage my Z and drive some old beater to work. But then, I wouldn't be able to enjoy my Z year round. By the way, the heated seats work great!

True. Some cannot or chose not to have a second car and there's nothing wrong with that. However if you chose to drive the Z in winter conditions, keeping summer tires on is not a smart nor responsible decision. If money was so tight that you cannot run proper equipment on your car as the seasons change, then perhaps you bought the wrong car. Anyone who thinks running summer tires in sub freezing temps and snow is acceptable is ill advised.

JARblue · 02-25-2014, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by b15

If money was so tight that you cannot run proper equipment on your car as the seasons change, then perhaps you bought the wrong car.

Bingo!

3.7 ZPA · 02-27-2014, 06:36 PM

The potholes are reason enough not to drive the Z right now. Farkin' no-man's land out there.

kittens · 02-28-2014, 03:08 PM

I'm driving to Long Island from Connecticut and back this weekend.. Hope I don't hit a pothole lol

If I do it's just my shitty winter rim anyway

Btw my z is a beast in snow

02-27-2014, 06:36 PM	#50 (permalink)
3.7 ZPA Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 352 Drives: '09 370Z 6MT Rep Power: 12	The potholes are reason enough not to drive the Z right now. Farkin' no-man's land out there. b15 likes this.

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02-25-2014, 05:03 PM	#47 (permalink)
ElVee Track Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Iowa Posts: 750 Drives: 13 370z 7at t+s grey Rep Power: 16	I could drive the Z in the winter, but my Z sits in an unheated garage at my apartment complex. Even if I did drive it, I would need to religiously wash it, and I only wash things that are not sitting out in freezing temps over night. This winter would not be good. Here in Iowa we've pretty much had ice and snow on the roads more days than not, and on off days, it's terribly cold or messy. I've only had the Z out once this winter on a Sunday in early January where we had just the right conditions to safely drive it. Otherwise, way too bad of roads around here this season. (Maybe only 3-4 days where the raw snowfall was too much...) Seeing the rust on my winter driver reminds me why I need to wait it out for spring. Just a reality for people living in locations with a real winter.

02-28-2014, 03:08 PM	#51 (permalink)
kittens Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Central NJ Posts: 412 Drives: 2009 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 12	I'm driving to Long Island from Connecticut and back this weekend.. Hope I don't hit a pothole lol If I do it's just my shitty winter rim anyway Btw my z is a beast in snow