How does the brz perform in the winter/snowy conditions

[MGPAX]

This is the first car I've ever owned that can not get out of it's own parking space in winter on stock tires.
Not complaining...just saying.

[yelsew]

Well i wouldnt be super suprised, with the stock tires being summer tires. These things are only decent in the dry and warm, even in cold weather and no snow they just arent resigned to perform well like that

[spdfreak]

Don't tell me this thing can't move in the snow.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjAsQyhiZTg"]New Years Snow Fun - YouTube[/ame]

[GirlRepellent]

I drove my FRS all last winter. Ground clearance was an issue, even with my coils at the highest setting. A good set of tires, maybe some mudflaps, and paint treatment and you're set!

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by GirlRepellent

I drove my FRS all last winter. Ground clearance was an issue, even with my coils at the highest setting. A good set of tires, maybe some mudflaps, and paint treatment and you're set!

I would be willing to bet, that from the looks of the pic, ground clearance is a year round problem for you.
I thought I was pushing it with my almost 2 inch drop but daaaaamn.

[GirlRepellent]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

I would be willing to bet, that from the looks of the pic, ground clearance is a year round problem for you.
I thought I was pushing it with my almost 2 inch drop but daaaaamn.

Lol, you might be right! Its definitely something I have to be aware of.

[pancake]

I'm in Michigan and have just recently bought a BRZ. Trying to decide what to do about the winter coming up. What tires did you use for your winter adventures?

Originally Posted by Stang70Fastback

That's because you were using all-seasons. This car, when stopped, is NO DIFFERENT than any other car when stopped. If you're sliding off the road like that, it has absolutely NOTHING to do with the car, and literally EVERYTHING to do with what are apparently REALLY terrible tires.

This car is every bit as capable as any other vehicle in the snow when it comes to cruising down the road, with the exception of the ride height meaning it can't tackle snow quite as deep. The only "disadvantage" to this car is the RWD which makes accelerating a bit more... fun.

Personally, I would never drive a RWD coupe like this in the snow without dedicated winter tires. They are LEAPS AND BOUNDS above even a good set of all-seasons in the winter. Watch this video below:

[GirlRepellent]

I was on Continental ExtremeWinterContacts. These were new for 2014. Performed very well. This was only my second winter and first with dedicated winter tires.

[pancake]

I'm trying to stay as low cost as possible without being too cheap to the point that I waste money buying a winter setup that doesn't work.

Would it be better/more cost effective to buy a separate change of rims for winter with winter tires on them, or to buy winter tires for the stock rims?

From my understanding, it would cost money twice a year to have to rebalance the tires before and after winter when exchanging the winters for year-round tires.

Also, is it a bad idea to put snow tires on the stock rims because the rims are relatively skinny? Would snow tires be very effective if they are on skinny rims like we get stock?

[Envirotech]

Drove all last winter in Ontario, Canada. No problems, handled surprisingly well with full snow tires on.

I put the snows on separate rims. so quick changeover each season.

[Stang70Fastback]

Originally Posted by pancake

I'm trying to stay as low cost as possible without being too cheap to the point that I waste money buying a winter setup that doesn't work.

Would it be better/more cost effective to buy a separate change of rims for winter with winter tires on them, or to buy winter tires for the stock rims?

From my understanding, it would cost money twice a year to have to rebalance the tires before and after winter when exchanging the winters for year-round tires.

Also, is it a bad idea to put snow tires on the stock rims because the rims are relatively skinny? Would snow tires be very effective if they are on skinny rims like we get stock?

Go to TireRack, and order a winter tire package. Mine cost about $650 delivered. Get four winter tires, mounted and balanced on a set of steelies. A lot of what you said is correct. By getting them on a separate set of wheels, you can swap them at whim, which means you save the cost (and potential damage) of having them remounted twice a year. Also means if there is a late freak storm and you really need to get somewhere (or an early summer day and you wanna have fun) you can swap them in 30 minutes.

Winter tires should be gotten on smaller, skinnier wheels. This affords you extra cushion and protection from winter hazards that you might not see in the snow, and thinner tires cut through the snow better than wider tires, which ride up onto the snow. The ones I ran were 205/55R16. If you Google photos of rally cars doing snow/ice stages, they look like they are running on apace savers... super skinny!

As far as brand, I had Blizzaks on my old Outback and my car was essentially an unstoppable tank (18" of snow? No problem!) I did an experiment this year and bought General Altimax Arctic winter tires because a.) I wanted to see if they were "half the price, 90% the performance" like people said, and b.) This being my first RWD car, and having just gotten it, I knew I wouldn't be able to resist some hooning, and didn't want to tear up the pricier Blizzaks.

Having been through a winter with the Generals, they aren't bad (any winter tire will be way better than an all-season) but my friend had Blizzaks on his FR-S and he had noticeably more grip, so when it comes time to get new tires in another year or so I'll probably go back to Blizzaks unless there is something better by then.

[Monkey_Boy]

Everything he said, +2

[Pat]

Pancake, any good quality snow tire should get the job done. I use Dunlop Winter Maxx, but Conti Winter Contact, Blizzak WS80, Michelin X-Ice 3, etc. will all get the job done well.

[jawn]

Originally Posted by Pat

Pancake, any good quality snow tire should get the job done. I use Dunlop Winter Maxx, but Conti Winter Contact, Blizzak WS80, Michelin X-Ice 3, etc. will all get the job done well.

And there's a thread on various winter tire setups!

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24037