Are these cars awful in the snow with all seasons?
05-09-2015, 09:23 AM
#1
Are these cars awful in the snow with all seasons?
I'm considering an S197 GT for year round use. I figure with snow tires these things are just fine in the wintery conditions but with the stock tires (all seasons) are these cars basically awful in the snow, meaning you're the car that takes a lot longer than most others to get moving from a stoplight?
05-09-2015, 06:49 PM
#2
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NY
Posts: 198
Depends on where you live and how much snow you get. I live in Buffalo NY and drive my '07 GT year round with snow tires and it handles great. The stock Pirelli's are crap in the snow, but the TCS and ABS helps a ton.
05-10-2015, 12:18 AM
#4
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: MI
Posts: 37
They are not very good. Yes with decent tires, ABS, TCS and the superior driving skills most of us on here have they can get through most winters. But with RWD, low ground clearance and not much weight in the back it has a lot going against it. I've gone through Michigan winters in older GT's with stock tires and lived to tell about it but wouldn't have one as an only vehicle at this stage on my life even with good winter tires.
05-10-2015, 06:41 AM
#5
I'm considering an S197 GT for year round use. I figure with snow tires these things are just fine in the wintery conditions but with the stock tires (all seasons) are these cars basically awful in the snow, meaning you're the car that takes a lot longer than most others to get moving from a stoplight?
Park it in the garage for the winter and buy an AWD vehicle to use in bad weather conditions. At least your Mustang would be protected from the elements and from other lunatic drivers.
05-10-2015, 08:28 AM
#6
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: RI
Posts: 690
I drive my car all year long. For Winter I use Continental ExtremeContact DWS tires on a dedicated set of rims. Use your head when driving and stangs are no worse than any other car in the snow, a little weight in the trunk over the rear axle helps too. Ideally, it would stay in the garage but I do not have an alternate beater to use in the winter.
For Summer I use Conti ExtremeContact DW tires.
For Summer I use Conti ExtremeContact DW tires.
Last edited by jpplaw; 05-10-2015 at 08:32 AM.
05-10-2015, 08:51 AM
#7
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 1,329
it depends on what "all season" tires you have. The stock P Zero Nero "all seasons" that were the standard tire on 2010+ GTs are lousy on snow. when I had my 2010, I got caught in a pop-up snow shower. I couldn't even launch the car gently (easing the clutch out without touching the gas pedal) without it fishtailing.
I'd highly recommend budgeting for a set of cheap wheels and real winter tires. Prior to the 2010 GT I had an SRT-4, and with Blizzaks that thing was great in any amount of snow it could reasonably plow through.
I'd highly recommend budgeting for a set of cheap wheels and real winter tires. Prior to the 2010 GT I had an SRT-4, and with Blizzaks that thing was great in any amount of snow it could reasonably plow through.
05-10-2015, 09:47 PM
#8
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: MI
Posts: 37
05-10-2015, 10:09 PM
#9
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: wisconsin
Posts: 2,260
there are always those who will use something, thats not designed to work well for something, just to say they did to make it seem that they have won some battle or something. its universal, lol
05-11-2015, 06:36 AM
#10
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: DE
Posts: 546
IMHO I think S197's are awful in the snow with the stock pirelli's. These cars are manageable with dedicated snow tires. Anything more than a couple of inches and its best to just stay home. I don't drive mine in the snow because I have a second vehicle, but I still put blizzaks on it. They make a big difference in cold weather and sub-zero temps.
