[UrbanRedneck]

How do mostly stock S197s do in the snow?

I wanted to buy a winter beater so I don't have to drive my Mustang in the winter, but I really don't think I can afford it. I work 22 miles away, and I'm afraid a $500 car will fail me one day and I cannot afford to be late for work (new job with high aspirations), and one I trust is way more money than I have. I just started a new job, used to be an apprentice tech, now I'm at a different shop and not an apprentice anymore, and I REALLY need to start buying more tools (also used to only work on one line, Honda/Acura, now work on all makes and models), and I just paid for ASE testing and some other shit, I really don't think I can afford it. So it looks like I'll have to drive my Mustang at least this winter. Hopefully it won't be that bad. I figured it out that on the days when it is snowing or still real snowy, I can get up earlier, drive my wife to work and take her explorer (she works half an hour earlier than me, 20 minutes from my job, so it's ok) then pick her up. Then on other days once it's plowed it won't matter much. I can pay the guy down the block 20 bucks to plow my alley so I don't get stuck in the garage. Then I'll just make it a point to wash the car every week to keep the salt at bay. At least this way I know I'll have a realiable car that won't ever fail me, has good heat, gets good gas milage, etc. But I'm afraid of the one day that she works overnight and I have to drive mine, and I wake up and it's blizzarding. SO how do these cars do in the snow? My brother had a 99 Mustang years ago, and it got stuck all the time, but was lowered and had 275s in the back. Mine is stock suspension, stock tire. I'm a person that can generally drive anything without much issue, so I don't think it will be too bad.

I guess I'm just wondering who else has to drive theirs year round to make me feel better lol.

[TheUNZippee!]

I don't. And they suck in the snow.

[usafimj]

I drive mine year round. I work about 15min away. Just drive slow and you'll be fine

[Jucostud]

Snow? Can someone describe this substance to me? Why would someone put there mustang up for the 60 and 70 degree weather?

[UrbanRedneck]

Originally Posted by usafimj I drive mine year round. I work about 15min away. Just drive slow and you'll be fine

I'm more concerend with everyone else than with myself Damn idiot drivers. I'll just avoid prople at all costs lol.

[MamaStang]

Drove mine last year in the snow and it was fine...and fun...unless it was too deep. Then it's a problem.

Juco...pics forthcoming.

[TheUNZippee!]

Originally Posted by Jucostud Snow? Can someone describe this substance to me? Why would someone put there mustang up for the 60 and 70 degree weather?

[evilcow]

I drive mine year around, but I don't take it out in the snow. If there is any ice or snow on the ground I drive my wife to work and take her car. I drove it to work once last year a couple of days after it had snowed. The roads were mostly clear, but there were still some slick spots on the road. It behaves like any other car when coasting or stopping, but as soon as you even think about hitting the gas the back end will come around. These cars are terrible in the snow. If there are any hills on your route to work you'll be in trouble. We typically don't get a lot of snow here so it's not a big deal to me a few days a year to drive my wife to work. If I got caught in the snow without another car I would call a coworker, a friend, or a cab for a ride before I tried driving my car in it.

[UrbanRedneck]

One thing I have been wondering though. You know how our windows rol down like 1/4 inch to allow the door to open? What happens when the windows freeze?

Oh and my drive to work is about 5 blocks on a flat city street, then about 19-20 miles on interstate highways, then ablout a mile on a large, 4 lane suburban street to my work. Drive home varies, sometimes I take streets to avoid highway traffic, but in the winter I'll probably just sit in the traffic on the highway and make the ebst of it, sonce highways are plowed better.

[HEAVYGT]

NO WAY!!! Mine stays nice and warm in my heated garage.

[MamaStang]

Not as deep as Zippy's...but I'm sure it's not the first time he's heard that

[03SonicBoom]

I do and they suck in the snow. I recommend getting studded tires if you have to drive it (especially since you're 22 miles from work). Nothing like making it to work and snowing while you're there to leave you stranded.

[1FUN4RD]

Dont drive it in bad winter weather. Car pool, get a ride with a coworker.
Chech into ride share or public transportation. Where there a will,there a way.

[MamaStang]

When the roads are too bad...I drive hubby's 4x4 and he rides co-pilot

[03SonicBoom]

Originally Posted by MamaStang When the roads are too bad...I drive hubby's 4x4 and he rides co-pilot

Even Mustangs that aren't lowered shouldn't be driven in the snow.

[Mustangshar]

I only have the one car.....This car does NOT have snow tires and we had some nasty snow last Winter here in the Chicago area. Way back when I learned to drive with rear wheel drive in snow <SS 396 Chevelle> and I did Ok with that.

I have dumped the BFG KDWS all seasons in March 08 for the new BFG G Force Super Sport A/S. There was a complete write up in the Nov <Ithink> Modified Mustangs. This tire is superior to the KDWS, and ZR rated. Was chosen as the tire at Miller Motorsports Driving School.

The KDWS had 16K on them and were even bad on wet surfaces. The new ones have not seen real snow yet.

BUT when it snows, it takes me 2.5 hours to get home. That's mostly on the brake because the traffic is so heavy. There was one day we got off work early and I could really see how the Stang handled. It was fine. Sure don't mess around or you WILL spin out. I made sure I took flat roads home, no hills with stop lights at the top and used my gears on the automatic. I get there and actually the car handles WELL given all factors. Driving in 3 inches of snow sucks in any car except 4 WD.

This year..I'm thinking I'll just get a room across the street from work and skip that 2.5 hr commute from hell. Yes, you gotta watch the other drivers, i've been lucky and everyone cooperated even giving me extra room to get going. Some people know Stangs are rear drive and will sit and spin from time to time. : ) But I'm going to always see some asshole....

It's not a choice, but a necessity and you gotta have brass ones and some smarts behind that wheel. I salute ALL Snow Stangs! LOL we're insane, yes?

[2006greyGT]

my other car is a 2001 Dodge 4x4 with a plow mounted on it... when it snows I plow and almost never get to drive the Stang in unplowed snow.. but as far as driving a hi powered rear wheel drive car in the snow... if you can drive it doesn't matter... I see SUVs get stuck all the time... I suggest find a friend with 4WD

[mustang fanatic]

I drive mine year round but then again its like 80 here in the winter.

[mustang fanatic]

In fact it was 95 today. Uh you guys are lucky to have some weather.... I hate the heat.

[ReverendDexter]

Big wide tires SUCK in the snow, you have *no* traction. If you're not trusting of a beater, get some steelies and put the skinniest all season mud+snow tires you can find on there. I also suggest throwing some extra weight in the trunk.