Talk some sense into / out of me!!

[trucon01]

Hi All,

I'm really craving a 2012 Z Roadster. The problem is I live in Northern VA where the winters can suck some times.

Where I live we only have 2 parking spaces (My car and my gfs car), so I couldn't get a beater for winter.

Do I:

A. Get the Z and say the hell with it

or

B. Get a G37, which has more room, better visibility and more sensable for a year round car?

Please help

[BusyBadger]

First off...

Welcome to NICO!

Here's an assortment of various posts about the Z platform and snow I've made over the years...

I drive rain or shine and even in the snow. With the right tires (I'm running Bridgestone Pole Position RE960AS's but looking to upgrade next winter to Continental Xtreme DWS) I've found the Z to be nothing but sure-footed with predicatable behaviour, even in the worst conditions.

There seem to be a lot of snow fearing folk here in the Z community. I certainly don't go out looking for crap weather to drive in but I've had gotten caught out in a couple of quick winter storms and my Z actually handled quite well. Good all-season tires, VDC on and ABS made it a fine traveler when the snow was between 2-3 inches, though the roads were in considerably better condition. That being said I'd never recommend a Z as a primary vehicle in an area that gets as much snow on a regular basis as the area you in does, GoldTNA. If you want a car that's similar I'd recommend looking at a G35X.

***Tangent Warning***

Driving in the snow is a confidence & experience thing. I've lived in Boston, Chicago and Germany so I've had plenty of practice with snow and rwd. I find so many people now that seem to think that rwd in the snow equals an instant crash and potential suicide. The prevalence of fwd (and now awd) on the market has allowed people to become more complacent and sloppy in their driving practices. Let's face it kids, if it were really that bad none of us would be here as all of our parents would have died driving rwd cars in winters many years past.

a) Bridgestone 960AS - Stock size (225/45/18 - 245/45/18)b) 2500-3000 miles (long work commute)c) As good as the General Exclaims they replaced for cold weather drivingd) HEAVY rain, below freezing road temps, light ice, light snow, slushe) Amazing traction in all conditionsf) Absolutely satisfied with them! Considering running them year round.

I drive over 4000 feet of elevation three times a week for work and with winter fast approaching I knew a few weeks ago that it was time to switch out the summer treads for something more appropriate for colder temps. The weather at sea level is never the same as what I encounter "going over the mountain" (how most people refer going to and from TN to NC). Heavy rains on multiple occasions never fazed the tires and I was able to maintain normal highway speeds in the conditions that made roads white with rain and actually forced me to use the rear wiper. The deep tire tread does cause a small amount of tramlining on grooved surfaces but its never unexpected or unpredictable.

Driving experience: 20+ years. I've lived and driven in cold weather conditions in Indianapolis, Chicago, Boston and Germany and had plenty of experience on FR, FF and RR platforms with and without snow tires at sea level, elevation on both flat and mountainous terrain and have driven vehicles ranging in size from a VW GTI all the way up a M985 HEMTT .

Notable story: Driving near Banner Elk, NC one weekend on a search for a tapas restaurant (try and find tapas in East Tennesee!) I didn't think about checking weather since it was so nice outside (50 degrees and sunny), but I ran into that sea level to 4000 ft weather change once I go to Banner Elk. The temps were a little colder in the mountains but started to rapidly drop, the skies started to cover over and a light rain started falling. I checked weather on my phone and saw three inches of snow forecast, great for skiers, not great for the drive home. A inch of snow later, I was making my way out of the mountains and was amazed at the traction that the tires provided. I decided to drive with the VDC off for a while to check out what was really going on and it felt so good that I made the whole drive home with VDC off with no slipping at all.

For those that don't want or need to mount a full out winter tire or drive in wide ranging or unpredictable conditions I cannot recommend these tires highly enough.

Bridgestone has retired the RE960 and come up with the new 970AS, seems to do well in Tire Rack testing, besting even last year's champ from Continental the Extreme DWS. But I'm holding off judgement on how good the 970 really is until Tire Rack tests it against the DWS in true winter conditions, because if it can't hold up to the snow & slush it doesn't matter to me.

Keep in mind that even though I will drive my Z in snowy conditions, there's only so far I'll go. As I've said before, good tires will only do so much...once the snow gets so deep the Z turns into a plow. Ground clearance is the only real advantage of the G over the Z when the white stuff starts falling.

Unless you happen to be driving a G35X.

[trucon01]

Thanks for all that.

However, I just test drove the 370z again and a 2008 G37 and I must say I liked the G37 much better. I am 6-1 about 220lbs and found that the drivers seat was much more comfortable for me.

So I think I will be getting the 2012 G27 Journey with Prem and Nav.

The Prem pack is such a joke. The only thing I want in it is the sunroof and it costs 2900

[BusyBadger]

So I think I will be getting the 2012 G27 Journey with Prem and Nav.

I'm guessing that's a typo and you mean G37

The Prem pack is such a joke. The only thing I want in it is the sunroof and it costs 2900

Infiniti pricing vs Nissan pricing.

Thanks for all that.

No problem at all. Even if you're going with an Infiniti G over a Nissan Z most of the tire info will serve you well. If you're not going to end up picking up a second set of wheels and rotating out winter and summer tires you may want to go ahead and go with the Continental Extreme DWS tires even if the new Bridgestone 970 tested better ...the Conti's have an amazing 540 treadwear rating!

[PalmerWMD]

I concur with BB:

Driven 350Z with Michelin Alpin PA2s ( whicha re winter tires but not extreme winter tires and you stillc na do high speed driving in them unlike a WS50) in blizzard condtions .
Left behind many a SUV with all seasons.
trunk space i the G37 Covert is almost nil with the top down though.

350Z verts are available for good deals in used market....BTW

[370Z/28]

I loved my G, but I drooled every time I saw a Z. I love my Z. It is more Car/road/driver experience that I love in a car.

Both are great cars. The premium package is worth the price if you like music and get the music box. I miss that the most.