Running a 350Z, ITR or S2000 through winter
Discussion
Hi all,
Its time for a change so I'm looking to trade in my 2003 CTR but am really stuck as it does almost everything I need. My problem is I have a 30mile round trip over country lanes which means I cant stretch to something that returns less than 20mpg (hence wrx sti not on the list). I love the look of the 350Z's but the thought of running one through the winter on the icy roads we've had sounds like it might be more stress than its worth.
Has anyone done this or have any recommendations.
My alternative thoughts were an itr and a <£5k pre 2001 (increase in road tax bracket)for winter and more relaxed driving.
Its time for a change so I'm looking to trade in my 2003 CTR but am really stuck as it does almost everything I need. My problem is I have a 30mile round trip over country lanes which means I cant stretch to something that returns less than 20mpg (hence wrx sti not on the list). I love the look of the 350Z's but the thought of running one through the winter on the icy roads we've had sounds like it might be more stress than its worth.
Has anyone done this or have any recommendations.
My alternative thoughts were an itr and a <£5k pre 2001 (increase in road tax bracket)for winter and more relaxed driving.
I've driven both an S2000, and for short distances, a 350Z on snow covered roads.
Both were OK on level roads, but had comedy levels of traction on even slight inclines.
If you're going to use one of these on untreated backroads during the winter months, I'd recommend fitting winter tyres.
Both were OK on level roads, but had comedy levels of traction on even slight inclines.
If you're going to use one of these on untreated backroads during the winter months, I'd recommend fitting winter tyres.
Impreza's were high on the list but my experience of the classic jap spec imprezas is sub20mpg. Which spec scooby do you have rb2530? I could justify one if it got close to the claimed MPG.
I would get a banger for the winter but have to sell the CTR to free up the money. Easier to go down the dealer route so looking at similarly priced cars.
I would get a banger for the winter but have to sell the CTR to free up the money. Easier to go down the dealer route so looking at similarly priced cars.
dougalf1 said:
Impreza's were high on the list but my experience of the classic jap spec imprezas is sub20mpg. Which spec scooby do you have rb2530? I could justify one if it got close to the claimed MPG.
I would get a banger for the winter but have to sell the CTR to free up the money. Easier to go down the dealer route so looking at similarly priced cars.
i have an rb5 with ppp (240bhp)and get around 24-25mpg in mixed driving, and have had 30 mpg on the motorway, the manufacturers combined figure is around 28mpg i believe, and an sti/p1 is very similar depening on how you drive it. the newer shapes are meant to be more frugal but for me the classics are the best.I would get a banger for the winter but have to sell the CTR to free up the money. Easier to go down the dealer route so looking at similarly priced cars.
you could easily get sub 20mpg but it would mean having quite a heavy right foot all the time, but by contrast if you drive off the turbo you can get 30mpg, it is all dependant on your mood and driving style but that will be the same for the other cars you have listed. driving style in any of those cars will make a big difference.
decent tyres will get you anywhere...
I had Vredestein Wintrac Xtremes on the car, no drama what so-ever and only a handful of times did the car send power to the front wheels (since R32 GT-Rs, are rwd most of the time), and that's driving everyday through last winters snowfest.
though a reasonable concept of driving on snow&ice helps, since i got up a icy hill past a wheel spinning passat with my car wearing Direzza Z1 track tyres :O (temporary measure through the snow, when one of my tyres got lunched by a bad combination of a nail and pothole, and i'm a weirdo that insists of 4 matching tyres, so all got swapped)
full bore launches are comedy in snow though LOL
I had Vredestein Wintrac Xtremes on the car, no drama what so-ever and only a handful of times did the car send power to the front wheels (since R32 GT-Rs, are rwd most of the time), and that's driving everyday through last winters snowfest.
though a reasonable concept of driving on snow&ice helps, since i got up a icy hill past a wheel spinning passat with my car wearing Direzza Z1 track tyres :O (temporary measure through the snow, when one of my tyres got lunched by a bad combination of a nail and pothole, and i'm a weirdo that insists of 4 matching tyres, so all got swapped)
full bore launches are comedy in snow though LOL
That sounds like me Rovermorris, I'd borrowed my friends scooby for a week so made the most of it. It nearly bankrupt me (though I did have a 3-4 hour daily commute at the time).
I'm liking the idea of a scooby on winter tyres now. Are they OK to go on the standard alloys? I've read alot of people buy a spare set of steel wheels for their winter tyres. Is that just to save the hassle of tyre changes or are they changing the size of the wheel so that the winter tyres arent low profiles?
I'm liking the idea of a scooby on winter tyres now. Are they OK to go on the standard alloys? I've read alot of people buy a spare set of steel wheels for their winter tyres. Is that just to save the hassle of tyre changes or are they changing the size of the wheel so that the winter tyres arent low profiles?
Puddenchucker said:
I've driven both an S2000, and for short distances, a 350Z on snow covered roads.
Both were OK on level roads, but had comedy levels of traction on even slight inclines.
If you're going to use one of these on untreated backroads during the winter months, I'd recommend fitting winter tyres.
Ditto - S2000 wearing OEM S02's on <2cm of snow - comical on any incline.Both were OK on level roads, but had comedy levels of traction on even slight inclines.
If you're going to use one of these on untreated backroads during the winter months, I'd recommend fitting winter tyres.
350Z not as bad as the S2000 as TC+LSD helped but stranded outside my house for 2 weeks last winter (S2000 only had LSD as it was a 2002 model).
As most have already said, its the tyres the make the difference. My ITR was dreadful in the worst of last winters ice and snow, the summer tyres were simply appalling. If I keep it for this winter I intend getting some winter tyres on the spare trackwheels, if I can find some. If I had the choice I'd get a cheap snotter though.
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