240's in the snow? How are they?

[TommyyJ]

hey guys

seeing how this is gonna be my first winter comin up with my 240, i wanted to know how they do in the snow, i am going to try to avoid drivin it in the snow at all cost, but just in case...i live in the midwest...thanks

[Good240]

Mine doesn't have the LSD feature but it is beautiful in the snow. You can reach out and touch the speed governer and still keep it straight while actually only going about 20MPH. Punch it around corners and you get the usually tight end swapping but countersteering is pretty effective. It was my first winter driving 2 years ago and I had my 240SX to learn about it. No close calls but I was very cautious. I'd have to same because of the weight distribution being so even it is very predictable and calm in the snow.

[johnsharpe]

As long as your careful, you can get the car from A to B safely. I also recommend the empty parking lot trials first...get to know what the car's going to do before you take it out into traffic.

Good luck!John

[LilGold240sx]

Yeah, make sure your tires don't get too bald, or else you'll be drifting/tobagganing unintentionally! That's realy fun... heh heh heh...

All season tires are good, but then again, I live in western washington... :pface Real fun to drive around in in winter weather... :icesangel

[mainetc]

I spent last winter in Troy, NY. One big @#$^ing hill. There were a couple days where I drove carefully down to work just to wonder all day whether I'd make it home. On flat ground and even small inclines the car handles fine, and you can slide through turns if you punch it and time it right. On the way up the hill, sometimes, only one wheel would have traction and the other wouldn't move and the rear end would slip to one side. Picture a 240 climbing practically sideways up a hill at 5 mph, because any more than that and I'd slip entirely. Not fun, but I did make it. And it was one of those 18" overnight storms.

Hopefully I won't have trouble here in Maine this year. Snow tires I do not have, by the way. Thinking of snagging some Michelin Pilot XGT V4 all-seasons.

Chris

[jdulberg]

I have a set of Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50's on ugly steel rims for my 95 LE. They work great. I couldn't get up my driveway before I put 'em on. They've lasted 2 winters so far which is supposed to be pretty good for winter tires. They are super sticky and don't put up with doing donuts unless the snow is really deep. The one thing that I noticed is a lot snowplowing 'cuz the lip under the front bumper is quite low to the ground. Need a good snow brush to clear the snow away every once in a while.

[skydragoness]

hey this will be my first winter with my 240 too, i live in delaware, we don't get much snow, but 5 or 6 yrs ago we had a good sized blizzard whack us, so it's unpredictable, ice is more to worry about than snow, although we're still having a drought now, the winter could be dry like last year too, doesn't actually snow in DE until Jan.

i have dunlop sp5000's, all-season perf tires, i hope they'll be good enough, delaware is known to be flat, but just my luck i live in a valley with hills big enough in my neighborhood to pose a challenge, i'm pleased to hear that the 240 isn't an impossible car, i should do fine then

[jdulberg]

The guy that I deal with for all my car stuff recommended the Blizzak's over any other winter tire on the market. They stick really well on ice. Before I put on my snows, the back end would slide when downshifting and I couldn't even get up my driveway and its only about a 3% incline. All seasons are good to a point but if your gonna do a lot of driving in bad weather, get a set of snows. They even work better than all season's in heavy rain or sleet. Unlike my all season's, I've never had to clean out the treads on my blizzak's after a sticky snow.

[Bubba]

I have SP5000's too which have gripped well thus far, but after that blizzard a few years ago that Sky mentioned, I went out and bought a 4x4, so now I leave my 240 in the garage when it snows. My 240 ran just fine in that blizzard with regular Bridgestone all season OEM radials. If you live in an area where it snows a lot, Blizzaks are a great snow tire. But no matter what tire you put on, 240's will still suck in the snow. Just take it easy and drive smoothly and you'll be fine...

[eniety]

Where can you buy the Gislaved Nordfrost tires?

[eniety]

Thanks a lot. How much did you pay per tire?

[Bubba]

Hey Lost. not circular at all. 240's suck in the snow because they're RWD, they sit low, and the engine's in front. I've driven my 240 in countless snow storms over the years without problems because I know how to drive in bad weather. The car still stinks in snow.Blizzaks are a fine snow tire, but are not going to completely eliminate the 240's shortcomings in snow. It's a nice tire, but unless I lived in an area that gets a lot of snow, I wouldn't spend the money for a second set of tires. My suggestion is to learn skid control, then it won't matter what brand of tire you use.As far as the 4x4, there are a lot of people on this bb that can only afford one car. Fortunately I can afford more than one and went with a 4x4 for the versatility. 4X4's are certainly easier in snow, but makes no difference on ice, unless you have studs That's why I preach learning/practicing skid control. A much better investment than tires.

[s14=pimpin']

Don't accelerate too hard while turning, just take it easy like everyone said, and you'll be fine. Once sliding, the car is pretty easy to correct, one more advantage of RWD. Winter tires will definitely help.

[blink0r]

Horrible. Plain and simple, they're horrible.

[MaineExport]

I spent last winter in Troy, NY. One big @#$^ing hill.

Hopefully I won't have trouble here in Maine this year. Snow tires I do not have, by the way. Chris

Don't get your hopes up!!! I grew up in Rutland/Killington Vermont, not to far from Troy. I've lived in Maine now for 5 years, the winters are just as bad as they were in VT! Unless you live near the coast, then it's a little more mild. BTW, what part of Maine are you in, there aren't very many of us on here. Hell, even finding fellow New Englanders is damn near impossible!

[apzak]

This is my first RWD car and this is the first winter I drove my 240sx in the snow. I am not very experienced but let me tell you, this car is so incredibly controlable. This morning I had a nice quick 20mph drift going up small hill with a slight curve. I never drifted before, but the whole time I was in control, and able to stop the drift whenever I wanted to. Ok, there wasn't a lot of snow but the rocks underneath the sheet of snow made it real slick. Coming back home I started a peal out in 2nd gear. I wouldn't try this on the street, although I couldn't help it once and held it for a good 50 feet in total control, but also this morning I accidently gave it a little too much gas turning in the parking lot, the rear end swung around and imediately stopped once I let off the gas that's what I mean by controlable. I know I sound like a maniac, and probably looked like one driving but I'm stopping, I'm preaty sure it was all luck each time and an accident is just waiting to happen. Sometimes when the roads clear, I just can't help it. Is it just me or do you guys do this? I get such a rush, gatta stop but man it was fun when it happened.

[rekless]

well, let me tell you HOW they are.. quite fun, not manageable.. but yea.. fun.. u cant go over 5km/h.. but fun.. you slide all over the place, but fun..

[PalmerWMD]

240's in snow are as good as your tires are.

Fred..

[jEzTeR]

Most 240 people try to stay away from snow covered roads.Rain can cause some traction problems also.Just be carefull at all times!The 240's power to weight ratio + RWD = traction problems.

[daniel240]

240s are the funnest thing ever in the snow. i love going out when it snows in mine, mainly driving in parking lots and stuff, you just have to remember to be extra extra careful!

[Former_240_s14]

go look for my post in nico general called "close call today"

but fred has a very good point about tires!

[skydragoness]

well winter this year in delaware has been a lot more snowy that usual. luckily my neighborhood is plowed really well, so i don't have trouble getting out of my driveway, 'cause usually that's the worst part. i'd say in around two inches of fresh snow the car will start to get twitchy. you just have to remember that you must do everything 5 times slower and more carefully. i.e. making a turn, accelerating, stopping (my relatively new slotted rotors are working great tho) you can feel in the seat of your pants what's going on with your car. and a lot of it is common sense. the 240 has more of a breaking loose point than most cars.

i'd say that if you have an automatic 240, your'e at more of a disadvantage, but nothing low gear couldn't help. i'm not exactly sure. i haven't tried any 'fun' stuff, i'm just to bent on getting home in one piece than anything else. also like palmer said, TIRES really do make or break how your 240 will react. i have dunlop sp5000's (all season perf.) they are relatively new, and work great so far. but if your'e in a particularly snowy area , i recommend bridgestone blizzak's all the way.

be careful out there people!

[Nebraska240sx]

one word for a 204's handleing in the snow......... ddddddrrrrrriiiiiiiffffftttttt

[luis240sx]

Keep a small shovel in your trunk and good luck! Snow sucks!!!!!