Hello,

My first post here on the forums. I've been reading for a little while, but I have a question. We've been looking into a S2000 lately, but one thing has kept us from really making it a contender in our new car search. Clearance. Here in NJ, we obviously get snow, and the bottom of our driveway commonly gets a bit of snow and slush deposited in it. Right now, the car that is kept in this driveway is an All Wheel Drive Eclipse GSX. The S2000, being RWD and of low height, we thought would get caught up in this bit of snow that the snow plows push up onto our driveway. How valid is this concern? Those of you that have driven in the snow, have you had any problems where the cars low height got the car stuck or bogged down? We'd like to avoid a beater as much as possible since the S2000 wouldn't be driven too much in the first place. Our 91 Eclipse has only 36,000 miles (it's used for driving around town and "fun driving" out on the highway, only occasionally does it make the trek to work). Even so, we do want to be able to get out of the driveway if there is a bit of snow down at the end (the actual driveway isn't the issue, but the area between the sidewalk and the street) incase our other car has problems, etc.

Thank you all for your help!

-Mike

 

A search using "snow", "winter", etc. will reveal many, many threads on this subject.
But briefly, I've driven this car through 2 Calgary winters now.
1. You cannot go any where, even down your driveway, without snow tires.
2. That having been said, this car makes a great winter vehicle.
3. The ground clearance is only an issue if your street gets deep ruts in hard packed snow/ice. In Calgary, this is only an occasional problem as they grade the streets frequently. I stay off of side streets when the ruts are too deep or I drive on the humps when I really have to and for as short a distance as possible.
4. You can plow through snow that is higher than your ground clearance. The only problem is that your front grill opening will get filled with snow but then, the snow acts as the rad cooling instead of the air so for in town, this too, is not a problem. Just clear out the grill before you hit the highway.
5. Get the block heater and use it on cold days/nights if the car is parked outside.
6. A hardtop will add to your comfort and security but is NOT absolutely necessary as my first winter was without.

 

xviper,

Thanks for the fast and concise reply. I tried searching, but most of what I found had to deal with the snow tires, not actual clearance. Again, thanks a lot, you answered my question!

-Mike