FRS/BRZ in the Snow
 

I couldn't find anything other discussion(other than brief mentions) on how people thought this car would be year round, particularly in the snow?


I would suggest that with proper snows, nearly balanced F/R weight distribution, VSC,TRAC,ABS,EBD it should reasonably OK.

Let the debate begin!

Well they have a " Snow " mode, just ground clearance will be horrible...

If I had to drive in the snow regularly, I would never rock a 2wd.

Good balance, linear powerband, rear drive... I think it will be a lot of fun in the snow.

You've obviously never enjoyed RWD in the snow then, personally, there is no better for snow.

it will be like any other car in the snow

drive carefully and you'll be okay.

I've driven many RWD cars in the snow. I prefer it to FWD because of the additional control I have over the car.

One such car was a 1st gen Miata. It did really well in the snow and I expect the BRZ to be just as good. And fun. :)

C'mon man. RWD is a blaaaast in the snow.

Drove a MKIII Supra around for 2 years of wisconsin winters - good snow tires and it's just like a drift day every snow day :)

1979 528i in the snow with crappy all seasons. So much fun.

I have driven rear drive before 76&82 Celica and they were OK, but 86&90 Celica since! I'll just need to remember! And these are way before all the fancy electronic aids!! But good snows will make a huge difference.

So why da hell did you start this thread? lol

It will be fine, and probably fun, in the snow.

:)

Jeff

With snow tires, LSD, traction control, and VSC, it'll be fine in the snow.

The only time it wouldn't be fine, is when the snow is too tall to clear the bodywork, but when that's the case you shouldn't be out driving anyway.

Just for fun, the debates are often entertaining:popcorn: if not informative regarding other's opinions!:thumbsup:

have a front diffuser / snow plow and youll be fine

Larger winter tires to gain some extra ground clearance and it's gonna be fine. If the next winter here in MI is like this past one - might as well keep driving on summer tires, lol.

Driving in Snow is a blast! The problem is you have to share the road with other people..lol

I had Blizzaks on my 350z, it was decent when clearance wasnt an issue. The problem is people are monkeys, and when i rip around in the snow in my 350z, people in other cars just assume they can do the same regardless of what tires or vehicles they have and end up sliding into me or rear ending me.

I'd had Dunlop Winter sports on my S14..it was even more awesome in the snow than the 350z. I've also had BOTH my STI and WRX in the snow with dedicated winters...just insanely good.

Morale of my post, FR-S/BRZ should be good in the snow, But beware of Monkeys

Well there won't be much weight for traction over the drive axle compared to a FWD car but you can always add sandbags to the rear. With snow tires and some patience/caution, it should be fine. However, I am planning to keep my AWD Eclipse for snow. I remember being at a light next to a BMW with Blizzaks and he just spun the tires hardly moving at all while I rocketed off like it was nothing. I also remember going up a mountain in New Mexico when there was a terrible snow storm. All four wheels were spinning but it just kept going. If I had a 2WD car, I probably would have slid down the mountain backwards or got stuck there all night. BTW, my ground clearance is pretty low in the Eclipse but I've never found that to be a problem... it just plows thru.

Where I live we gets lots of snow (Ottawa, Canada) and I have no problem with my RWD IS300 in the snow unless it is too deep and ground clearance is an issue. Two or three times a year when there is too much snow to get off my street I just take my wife's RAV4.

My winter tires are 16's and I get about the same clearance as my low profile summer 17's.

Anyone who gets lots of snow knows that all seasons are a poor compromise so get snow tires on separate rims for winter. It costs more up front but your tires last twice as long as they only get used 6 months a year.

The snow button on my IS300 is great as it slows down the revs and shifts (Auto) to help from spinning the tires on slippery roads. The 86 is the only other car I have ever seen with a snow button and I am thrilled as it really helps.

I agree with korinfox and CoryUyede. I grew up in snow before FWD and LSD. Quite frankly I prefer RWD with LSD and manual transmission. If it's new to you find yourself a large vacant parking lot on the first good snow day and explore the limits of your car. And as CoryUyede says, when you leave the parking lot, "beware of the monkeys."

Since all our cars seem to come with 17" rims, I've been looking for some 16" rims with the proper fitment to dedicate to my studded snows. I just saw a couple posts on the BRZ Forum with pics of BRZ's with OEM 16" rims. Those seem to look pretty good. I've also been looking at the TSW Trackstar 5, 16x7, 5-100, 50mm from Element Wheels at $149 ea. Also TireRack's moda MD12, 16x7.5, 5-100, 48mm at $92 ea. Decisions, decisions...

Only on the Auto Trans IIRC, please tell me if I'm wrong.

That is correct. I think it probably just starts the car off in 2nd gear so that you don't spin your tires in that mode. However with the manual, you can control that yourself. ;)

I am hopeing for thoese "TRD wheels" for Summer and then use the stock OEM wheels for Winter;).... but then again there was hardly any snow in michigan this year, not mad about that

:burnrubber:

Yep, I just that in an article somewhere.:clap:

Put good winter tires & sand bag in the trunk & you're all set to go

Will a few crates of tofu in the trunk work as well?

LMAO

No man, we live in US! We put crates of frozen meats! :bellyroll:

Actually here in Georgia we use boxes of Mason jars with ugggm, water in them, yea, that's it, water, and fuel, some of them are fuel for our dragster... Yea, that should cover it.

In Canada, we use bags of salt for water softeners... either that or a log we cut down, you know, lumber jacks and all.

I just toss in a couple of dead relatives...

I think my uncle used to do that, I couldn't stand the smell. Sided with the salt/log alternative. Not as cheap, but gets the job done.

And nobody wants rice? I seems to remember someone suggest rice bags as an alternative to sand bags so that you can eat that in the summer time.

No need for ballast in the trunk of the 49/51 S2000 with Dunlop WinterSports. 55/45 FR-S might need some... Cat owner, I use kitty litter, which also makes great traction compound on the snow :P

Ill just shove the dead hookers I don't want to pay in my trunk during the winter time :thumbsup:

/endtroll

Really though, just get some blizzak tires and start it in second gear to get rid of the wheel spin and you should be good. Those tires have really good grip in the winter time.

I think a park bench for a spoiler would be of great benefit.

you get the benefits of extra weight in the back for the snow and a cheap way to create downforce! Plus it'll look like those park bench spoilers anyways!

http://drivesteady.com/wp-content/up...ifications.jpg

Enough extra weight in the back for them snowstorms :bonk:

Don't forget the cup of water in the cup holder.

You guys are clearly not fans of Top Gear UK.

Otherwise you guys would all be set to go. Too bad we would all have to keep sharing Ross Kemp for the trunk.

bneale