so I met this s2000 owner. We had small talk, then he asked how long I had the car. I answered only maybe 2 months. Then he replied "Oh, so you haven't driven this car in the winter or rain?", and I said no...

Then he proceeded to laugh and shoots a "oh, have fun kid..." and drives away.

can i get a wtf?

what should i expect?

 

it's not JUST the s2000. most RWD cars with summer/performance tires cannot drive in the snow. literally, they cannot drive. the wheels don't grip the ground on snow and at best you can do donuts. i got an infiniti m45 sport dec 30th 2005 and a few days later a light coat of snow hit. i was getting off the highway on my way home after 5 minutes of light snow and even on a thing sheet my car went spiraling and i had to leave it on the side and had my friend pick me up. not fun. basically just don't drive in the snow with the stock tires and/or non-winter tires.


in rain it is driveable but it's so light that you are better off driving carefully. you can still drive, even on the highway, but be careful with the handling you don't want to take sharp turns or try anything jerky as you can slip out so just drive very carefully on wet roads and you will be fine. snow on the other hand, your car will turn into a 35k sled with a heater.

 

if you're driving it this winter, get winter tires. as long as you do that, and don't drive like an idiot, you'll be fine.

 

Yeah, you need winter tires. This will be my fourth winter on Dunlop Winter Sport M3s, and those tires have been fantastic in rain, ice and snow.

 

yep went through 2 winters in my M35 sport that i brought over from California. got stuck many times. some how I managed without getting winter tires, by working from home and taking public transportation.

Then drove a friends BMW 3series with winter tires.. HUGE difference. actually driveable as long as you keep your brain in check.

you have to think.. all the police cars are still RWD and they go around just fine,

 

i drove through an ice storm followed by a snow storm on the stock tires, and it was pretty rough, but i made it through. 200 miles took 11 hours... i ended up airing the tires down to 20psi just to get something resembling traction.

 

at least you were smart enough to keep your speeds low. and keep yourself and the s2 from harm.

That's all that matters.

 

People in this country love to see others worried or confused. That guy probably is one of those people that say that owning a Camaro or Mustang isn't practical and all of this other bologne. You decide for yourself. I wouldn't drive my S all year-round...if it snows I simply use another car. But most recommend snow tires, and if you do have snow tires the general consensus is you'll be fine.

 

didn;t have a choice. it was the day i picked the car up...

 

just be careful. getting winter tires would be a plus. a lot of people put their cars away for the winter. i plan to do this because i dont have enough money to buy winter tires. otherwise i would have to drive my car.