Driving your FRS/BRZ in Winter

[nmctacticz]

I know most people will say store that beauty in a garage, you're an idiot for driving a RWD car in Canadian winter. Truth is, I'm considering driving my FRS through winter; I've had the car both rust proof and rust protection which are two different things. I am considering buying good winter tires and driving it all winter. Who here has driven their FRS/BRZ in winter? how was your experience... what do you guys have to say about it?

[Snowball]

Its fine as a winter daily driver I did it last year with little regret if any. As long as you're aware of deep snow (or areas that haven't been plowed after a large snowfall) You can get through pretty much anything as long as you keep moving and play with the throttle. Just make sure you have weathertech floor mats in your car and scotch guard the HELL outta your carpet in the fall to somewhat control the salt going in your car from your shoes/boots.

[KPR10]

Drove it last winter in the GTA and it was ok. Obviously not ideal car to try and plow through 1 foot of snow, but with Blizzak winter tires and careful throttle control I managed.

The only day it was really bad was when a massive storm hit quickly in January and the highways weren't cleared yet. I was sliding sideways just trying to go straight, but even 4x4's and AWD cars were as well so it wasn't just my FRS.

[CaptainSlow]

Drove it every day last winter (one of the worst I can remember here in MI). Worked fine, even on stock tires. Would have been even better with good snow tires. Yes, you get sideways a lot, but if you adjust to the conditions, you can drive it without much issue. Just give yourself more space to stop, be more gentle on the brake and accelerator, and get good at counter-steering. Don't try to drive on un-plowed roads...that should be a given for any low car, though. Wait for the plows to go through or get a ride...be safe, and remember it's not a Jeep. Understand the limitations and work with them, and you'll be fine. Don't expect the car to do something it physically can't.

[jvincent]

Originally Posted by nmctacticz

I know most people will say store that beauty in a garage, you're an idiot for driving a RWD car in Canadian winter

...

Who here has driven their FRS/BRZ in winter? how was your experience... what do you guys have to say about it?

Why would you be an idiot for driving a RWD in the winter? I learned to on RWD cars in the winter many moons ago before FWD took over.

I drove my FRS last winter and we got a lot more snow that you guys in the GTA.

Just get decent winter tires in a -1 size, I was using 205/55/16, and you'll be fine. Just don't expect to drive as fast or corner as hard as you do in the summer.

[Kenshiki]

I brought mine in January and it became my daily driver. I live in Chicago and the winter was pretty bad over here, the only problems i had was getting in and out of parking, mostly cause i had to parallel park. Driving wise it did fine even while it was snowing. I did have problems when the snow got to over a foot weather it was snowing or not but nothing a little throttle control couldnt fix. A piece of advise if you do parallel park in the snow, have a shovel in the trunk. That shovel helped me out more times than i care to count.

I did have alot of fun with all the snow on the ground though , whipping it around corners and doing donuts.

[jvincent]

Originally Posted by Kenshiki

I did have alot of fun with all the snow on the ground though , whipping it around corners and doing donuts.

Good point on the donuts.

I took my daughter out with me after one big snow into a large empty parking lot and went crazy.

I was rusty, so I wasn't able to do a figure 8, but I got close. This year.

[CaptainSlow]

Nothing like a bit of snow on the ground to make you feel like a drift god...I swear, this is the most controllable car I've ever driven...seems more controllable when it's sideways than some cars are in a straight line.

[Nevermore]

Last winter I was more comfortable driving my car on winters than my dad's corolla on all-seasons. It is definitely a very controllable car. It knows what it's doing and the nannies will save you most times.

[arvidj]

I have lived in Minnesota all my life. I will confine my response to "drive-ability" and not "road salt and sand".

Disclaimer - I do not have an FR-S yet.

The three best cars I have ever driven in snow and ice conditions were:

(3) 1970 Corvette 4 speed manual, no traction control
(2) 1997 BMW M3 - 5 speed manual, traction control but turned off
(1) 1993 Toyota MR2 - 5 speed manual, no traction control

My wife drove the M3 for many years on her 35 miles each way commute to and from work. She left the traction control on.

The only caveat was that the M3 and the MR2 both had Hakkapeliitta snow tires on them. Not "all [IMHO 'no'] season" tires, but tires designed to be used in the winter.

There is a very long incline on the primary road between work and home. On several occasions I have been able to pass 4 wheel drive SUV's ... one NoSeason tire on each axle merrily spinning away ... on the commute.

Prepare the car appropriately for the expected conditions, drive based on the conditions, enjoy.

Just my experience,
Arvid

[CatDaddysBBQ]

I live in chicago area - not canada winters, but close enough to have insight...

I drive mine all year long, and last year was our snowiest since I was 10 years old. I kept expecting the snow to stop so I just made do with the A/S bridgestones it came with (we often get those instead of the primacy summer rubber up here, i'm sure you may too).

I had very little issue, honestly. I'm not saying it's a jeep, but the only real problems I had were starting from a stand-still in over 1.5" of snow. That gets annoying, but once moving it brakes well, it turns well, and it drifts extremely easily and controllably.

I'm probably ponying up for winter tires this year, and with my experience with winter tires, i'm sure it'll fix the start/stop issue I had last year.

DO IT - it's not really a big deal.

[Tt3Sheppard]

I find it much easier to drive in the snow with RWD vs FWD. Lol when you pass SUV's in ditches or on the side of the highway.

[KingGeo]

mine is a DD all year. good set of snow tires and you are all set.
the only thing that can stop you is if they snow is so deep its over the front lip.
that being said, you MUST get a good set of snows... you would be stupid and a danger to everyone if you do not.

this car + snow in a empty parking lot = the best times

[aghuman]

Originally Posted by nmctacticz

I know most people will say store that beauty in a garage, you're an idiot for driving a RWD car in Canadian winter. Truth is, I'm considering driving my FRS through winter; I've had the car both rust proof and rust protection which are two different things. I am considering buying good winter tires and driving it all winter. Who here has driven their FRS/BRZ in winter? how was your experience... what do you guys have to say about it?

I put about 25000km on it last winter split between the GTA and out in the country. I never got stuck or had an issue with traction or control. I suffered 2-3 stone chips but its the cost of doing business for how and when I drive. Only prep I did were weathertech mats and Continental EWC on 16" steelies and rust proofing of course.

I had a blast all winter, I still got to enjoy the car but never felt worried or afraid behind the wheel. I felt more in control than a lot of FWD cars that I've driven.

If you want to do it, it can be done...imo its awesome