Hey guys... glad to be joining you guys on this list. This is my second week with my '02 S2k Suzuka Blue in the Boston area and I am really enjoying it. But I wanted to hear from you guys, your experiences about "winter driving", i.e. SNOW...

I know that the SUMMER is just starting, but hey... better be prepared for what is to come ya?

~JL

 

Welcome and congrats! This winter wasn't really a winter, so I'm not one to judge, but I'm sure some others who use their S2K year-round will be happy to pipe in.

 

get a beater!! I am telling you, get a beater..!!
you don't wanna drive it when snowing..!!

 

SO2's at low road surface temps NOT good. If roads are covered with snow - forget it! If you are going to drive in snow or slush, get dedicated snow tires. All season radials will NOT do. A second set of wheels - a real good idea because you don't have to let some ham fisted kid at the tire store scratch your rims twice a year and impact wrench your lugs on each time. If it gets real cold, a block heater is a good idea. Protect your "nose" paint with 3M Scotchcal film (rock chips). If this is your first FWD car, be real careful the first winter. Even with snow tires, this thing spins around faster than you can react at first. And maybe consider a hardtop for added comfort - not necessary as your '02 already has rear defogger. As you can see below, the search function works really neat (for next time):

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...&highlight=snow
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...ighlight=winter
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...ighlight=winter
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...ighlight=winter
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...ighlight=winter
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https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...ighlight=winter
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...ighlight=winter
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...ighlight=winter
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...ighlight=winter
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...ighlight=winter
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...ighlight=winter
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https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...ighlight=winter
https://www.s2ki.com/forums/showthread.php?...ighlight=winter

ps. People who don't like to drive this car in winter, don't do it for many reasons. They think the car will get damaged. They are saving the car for whatever reason. Winter driving scares them or they simply do not know how to drive this car in winter conditions. For me, this car is as much fun in winter as it is in summer. To get a beater and let this car sit for 6 months is a huge waste.

 

S2000 has problem with carrying big stuffs...
like, can you move a set of computer with 21 inch monitor in it? no, you can't, you need another car to do it..
when driving in the winter, you get more salt under the body which is the thing you don't want (even tho I have done it few times) So, just for those reasons, a $3000 beater to drive when salts are all over the road, snowing, and go supermarket to buy something or carrying a big amount of stuffs...
Of course, that doesn't mean to not drive the S for 6 months... but during that 6 months, drive it only when the road condition...etc is good.. just my 2 cents

 

Hate to tell you Derrick, but once you get salt in those nooks and cranies, you're not going to get it al out easily. If you've driven it once in the salt, it's almost as messed up as the rest of us who drive it daily.


Get yourself some winter-specific tires, like the Blizzak MZ-01, and drive it year-round. I'm happy with them, but just remember....it IS snow and ice, so you can't go taking corners at 50 like you can in the summer.

Other than that, you're set...

 

I'm not saying salt being sprayed on a car is good, far from it. (Before I forget, MacGyver is correct.) Modern day cars are far more corrosion resistant than ever before. Example: our '89 Caravan, after nearly 13 years of "salt" had no rust (it did not have any aftermarket rustproofing). This whole "rust due to salt" thing stems from "paranoia" of an age long gone. You have to have a real good "incursion" into the factory anti-corrosion process for the salt to get in and do some damage. How come some owners will NOT drive their cars in the RAIN???? Hell, I've even heard of people NOT driving their PT Cruisers in the RAIN!!! I bet these are the same kind of people who wrap their new sofas, couches and LazyBoys in clear vinyl so they look great after 20 years. True, it's a great car, but it's just a car - basic transportation that looks real good. Go out and drive the thing! Enjoy it whenever you can.
I can also see where, in certain regions of the country, "winter" only lasts a few weeks and snow actually stays on the ground for a few days of "winter" that you can say you park the car for the "winter". It would be like me saying I park my car during the "mud slide" season. It happens rarely, if ever. But my winter is really here for 5-6 months a year. Sure, I can't carry big stuff in this car but how's that different during "non-winter"? That's why my wife's car is the "family" car. It's used for the big stuff.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MacGyver
[B]Get yourself some winter-specific tires, like the Blizzak MZ-01, and drive it year-round.

 

Thanks for all the replies in such a short time... hopefully I will prepare some winter tires in about 6 mos. from now... but in this mean time, hopefully I will be able to meet some of you guys around in what seems to be a pretty good and sunny summer.

 

Interested in autocrosses? They may prepare you for winter driving...