Winter driving question

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PhoKingGuy

PhoKingGuy

Diamond Member
Nov 15, 2007
4,685
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Go easy on me, I grew up in socal.

How stupid would I be to get a high HP manual transmission RWD coupe for winter driving?

Keep in mind this would be my only car, getting a set of winters is not out of the question if necessary though.

Specifically looking at the weather in Chicago/Knoxville.
 
jlee

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
I'd be more concerned about driving a nice car on salty roads, to be honest. Having driven a Crown Vic or Charger in NH winters for the last few years, rarely was I unable to get somewhere. It's just not nowhere as easy as it is in my Subaru. :p

You'd probably be able to get better / more aggressive snow tires than what I had, too, since you don't need a high speed rating on them.

So..I'd say it's probably doable, but not ideal.
 
Bignate603

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
1
0
I've done big RWD boats (crown vic, ancient cadillac fleetwood) and a bunch of different manual transmission cars in heavy snow in upstate NY. Its doable, not always fun, but doable. A manual transmission isn't going to make it impossible, it's just another thing to be juggling in slippery conditions but if you're decent at it it's no problem. The only time I thought a manual was hard to drive in the snow was when I was living in a place where I had to parallel park on an incredibly steep and slippery hill. Often the hill was in such bad shape you could barely walk up it. It took a bit of finesse to balance the brake, gas and clutch so I didn't end up sliding around or stalling the car. Eventually I got good at it, but it took some practice.

That being said, other members of my family have Subarus and those things are awesome in the snow. There are some fun ones of those too with decent power and handling. If you're worried about snow you should consider them.
 
PhoKingGuy

PhoKingGuy

Diamond Member
Nov 15, 2007
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The car in question is a 2012 Mustang GT. If I can't get that, I will probably just get a Jeep GC or another GTI.

Subarus are not an option for me.
 
Murdoc

Murdoc

Member
Jan 22, 2011
135
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If you get the Mustang, I recommend that you get an extra set of rims with new snow tires mounted on them. Put them on in November and take them off in late March. They make a world of difference. And adding weight in the back helps a lot too. Ground clearance on the Mustang might be an issue if the plow trucks can't keep up with a heavy snowfall.

I actually prefer a manual transmission in winter driving. The amount of HP you have shouldn't make a difference. The HP is there if you want it, but you wont be using it in bad weather.
 
KentState

KentState

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2001
8,397
393
126
Had a GTO through 3 winters. The most snow I ever tackled was 6" on the road. The car had all season tires and did fine. Don't expect to run the summer tires if the temperatures average below 40 degrees during the day. They get very hard and like to slide around even on clear roads.
 
M

MotF Bane

No Lifer
Dec 22, 2006
60,801
10
0
Get a set of winter tires. Since you didn't grow up driving in snow...

1) Be nice to the throttle.
2) Leave a lot more room for EVERYTHING.
3) Know what to do if you start sliding in various positions.
 
KentState

KentState

Diamond Member
Oct 19, 2001
8,397
393
126
MotF Bane said:
Get a set of winter tires. Since you didn't grow up driving in snow...

1) Be nice to the throttle.
2) Leave a lot more room for EVERYTHING.
3) Know what to do if you start sliding in various positions.
Click to expand...

4) Learn to use the gears for engine braking or reducing the amount of torque when launching.
 
J

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
81
JulesMaximus said:
You wouldn't want to drive that car with the OEM performance rubber in the winter. Definitely need a set of wheels with snow tires on it.
Click to expand...

Of course. I won't even drive a Subaru with all-seasons in the winter here. Snow tires go on everything.
 
IcePickFreak

IcePickFreak

Platinum Member
Jul 12, 2007
2,428
9
81
Snow tires and you should be fine. While my car isn't a manual :(, it's done great the past 2 winters in Milwaukee with 400hp/rwd with an extra set of snow tires. Traction & stability control have come a long way also and help quite a bit, at least if you're not intentionally driving stupid in bad weather.

All that said, the bigger issue becomes ground clearance when the snow really starts piling up. If you're going to be in the city though this isn't that big an issue except for major storms when nobody is leaving their homes til the plows clear it out anyway.

And OT, but where's the pic's of the girl that's getting you to move from the coast to the never-ending winter that is the mid-west? :awe:
 
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Soccerman06

Soccerman06

Diamond Member
Jul 29, 2004
5,830
5
81
If youve never driven in snow before (much less ice or slush), a rwd vehicle might be a little much for ya and you might crash.

Knoxville (iowa?) TN? I dont think they get very harsh winters compared to say Montana, Michigan, Minnesota, or even Chicago.
 
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V

Viperoni

Lifer
Jan 4, 2000
11,084
1
71
Winters and caution/common sense and you'll be fine.
My dad drove nothing BUT RWD boats for about 40 years in and around the Toronto area, the first 36 without winters.
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
PhoKingGuy said:
The car in question is a 2012 Mustang GT.
Click to expand...

As others have said, get snow tires on a different set of wheels. If it fits, you can also go smaller on the wheel diameter and narrower wheels/tires, and up the aspect ratio to keep the overall circumference around the same.

PhoKingGuy said:
Subarus are not an option for me.
Click to expand...

Why not? Do you not like the way they look or something? Have you driven or ridden in one?
 
Doppel

Doppel

Lifer
Feb 5, 2011
13,306
3
0
I'd probably do it. It has traction control and won't be the end of the world. "back in the day" many cars were RWD and didn't have TC and it makes a huge difference and they managed to survive even though it did suck even more.
 
F

fstime

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2004
4,382
5
81
RWD is not automatic fail in snow.

Get a dedicated snow tire (Or better yet, a winter tire/wheel set with a more narrow tire since wide rear tires on a staggered setup don't cut through the snow as well) and you will be fine as long as your not doing anything TOO extrme.
 
PhoKingGuy

PhoKingGuy

Diamond Member
Nov 15, 2007
4,685
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Zap said:
Why not? Do you not like the way they look or something? Have you driven or ridden in one?
Click to expand...

My good friend has an 05 STI that I've driven and ridden in a few times so I've got plenty of experience with them. I just think they are not the prettiest things on the road combined with the ridiculous insurance premiums is not worth it for me. I prefer American/German cars as well, which is most of the sticking point.

Consensus is that I would be fine with it in TN with summer tires, one of the people I've been talking to has a 335i with the sport pack and didn't have any problems driving around there. I've I do end up in Chicago though I'll probably end up with something AWD, most likely the Jeep GC or an AWD Fusion sport. I've driven my Jetta TDI in the snow a few times with chains on the front so I kinda know what i'm doing, but having a few inches on the ground is a little different than driving during a blizzard, lol.

I just really really really want a Mustang TBH.
 
LTC8K6

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,575
126
Snow tires and the good T/C Ford has should do you fine, provided you have ground clearance.
 
J

Jumpem

Lifer
Sep 21, 2000
10,757
3
81
PhoKingGuy said:
My good friend has an 05 STI that I've driven and ridden in a few times so I've got plenty of experience with them. I just think they are not the prettiest things on the road combined with the ridiculous insurance premiums is not worth it for me. I prefer American/German cars as well, which is most of the sticking point.

Consensus is that I would be fine with it in TN with summer tires, one of the people I've been talking to has a 335i with the sport pack and didn't have any problems driving around there. I've I do end up in Chicago though I'll probably end up with something AWD, most likely the Jeep GC or an AWD Fusion sport. I've driven my Jetta TDI in the snow a few times with chains on the front so I kinda know what i'm doing, but having a few inches on the ground is a little different than driving during a blizzard, lol.

I just really really really want a Mustang TBH.
Click to expand...

Just no. You will be a hazard to yourself and other people on the road.
 
PhoKingGuy

PhoKingGuy

Diamond Member
Nov 15, 2007
4,685
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Jumpem said:
Just no. You will be a hazard to yourself and other people on the road.
Click to expand...

They get about 2-3 inches of snow usually, and my drive will be literally 2 miles. If its that big of a deal they operate a shuttle I can use.
 
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