How realistic is it to drive a rex during the winter in snow? I'm curious, I live in Salt Lake City and I wonder how interesting this is going to be when it gets icy and cold. Thanks.

 

I live in MN where it snows all winter. Been through 2 of 'em NO PROBLEMS. Just make sure you got some good tires and you can have some good safe driving.

... not to mention some fun when you give it a little gas


just make sure your tires have lots of tread and you'll be fine.

 

Oh i did forget to mention that for the last 2 years i've driven my 87 Fiero GT so i don't think it should be too difficult, but i was curious if it was crazy.

 

Limited slip helps. When it snows around here, driving's a bitch. These cars are light, so when you romp on it, it gets.. "interesting"

JB

 

my friend has an '85 he drives, and those are friggin' tail happy as all can be. You'll live if you know what you're doing, just take it incredibly easy.. that's all.

If it were me, I'd avoid it like the plague.. I don't like rust on my car.

 

I'll tell you this.... My front wheel drive turbo saab sucked more *** that a dirty ***** in the snow. Those damn ABS brakes are the only thing that kept me alive. I slid into curbs this one night like 6 times.

The tII on the other hand did not slide me off the road at all this past winter. It stopped better, accelled better, and cornered much better. plus it was hello fun doing brake stands on some ice!

 

looks like I'll be driving my AE this winter... WASH IT OFTEN, and get it oil guarded or it won't be rust free for very long...

 

If I had something else to drive, I would, but I made it through the winter with mine on the Western side of Michigan, and we are supposed to get "lake effect" snow. with 1/8" of snow, your back end will slide around pretty easy when you give it any kind of gas. Like Taranis said, LSD definately helps (I laughed at pickups trying to get out of our parking lot where they can only plow down the aisles). Just be careful.

 

It can be done. I got my 7 in march and since then weve only had one snowfall and it wasnt very fun but I had also only got the car like a week earlier. My car doesnt like lots of rain either cas it starts to throw its *** around like a cheap hooker. But once you get the hang of it its not so bad.

 

Driving an Rx-7 in winter is definitly a learning experience especially sence it was my first car and my first winter driving. If you just learn how the car responds to every situation you will be fine. My advice is to take it to a large open parking lot the first time it snows and toss her around a bit. It is tons of fun.

 

yeah, IMO RWD cars are ALOT easier to manage in winter than FWD. in FWD, if you're going head on into a lamppost (for example), you CANNOT steer at all. But in a RWD, you can always "throttle-steer" around things. Plus, if you're in a spin you just let off the gas (or put it in N).


Never driven a AWD, but im sure it's better than either FWD or RWD... or is it??

 

I have an '82 GSL with LSD that I used as a daily driver in Nebraska when it was new. It was a FINE snow car. Amazing from such a light car that is so low to the ground.

My son bought a '91 coupe last fall without LSD. No point in taking it out when anything slick is on the road. Unbelievably tail happy on anything wet.

Bought the LSD from a GTUs a couple of weeks ago. With the LSD, all weather tires, and a little ork on the rear suspension, hopefully the '91 will be driveable this winter.

 

The Rx-7 with good tires is as easy to drive on snow as any RWD car. Actually with the LSD I think it is easier.

AWD is nice. Don't have to worry about getting stuck at an intersection in deep snow.

 

Do yourself a favor: Take the $500 or so that it will cost you for winter tires and oil spray and go buy a POS corrolla for the winter. If you store the RX, you can transfer its registration to the beater, and it will be way cheaper to insure. In the Spring, you can take your immaculate 7 out of storage and have fun all summer. The car's value doesn't decrease, and there's no wear and tear. In the meantime you can be having a grand 'ol time abusing a FWD rice box all winter. They're cheap on gas and they'll drive across a field in 3 feet of snow. (experience talking) After the winter, scrap it or sell it for $300. I've lived in Montreal all my life, and there is no way I'd drive my 7 in the winter. I've survived on a string of $100 - $400 accords/corrollas/sentras and subarus. A $500 rusted piece of crap is wicked fun to use and abuse. Left-foot braking and handbreak turns are just as fun as RWD in the snow. So it's cheaper in the long run, and it'll give you a whole new respect for your 7 when you take it out in the spring. It may not be pretty, and It may not get you laid, but then when has owning a Honda ever heped in that department?
Nick

 

BTW, Do they put salt on the roads in Utah?

Salt + 80's Japanese metal = lots of rust.

Do you want your Rx7 to be rusty?

 

That's why I still have my celica. When winter comes, there's no way the seven is taking me up to the slopes. Too many morons to avoid.

 

Couldnt of said it better.

The RX-7 is responsive and very connected to the road, so you should be able to predict some of what you do. If you are going to have fun, do it where nothing is even close to your car

 

Man, my car is pretty slippery on water, I couldnt imagine it on ice. I wouldnt drive it. Well, only for some mad donuts. haha

 

One more piece of advice... DON'T SLOW DOWN USING THE GEARBOX!! Unless you like doing 360's.

 

My Rex is my daily driver, and ive had it for two winters here in Pgh. I haven't had one bad experience. Granted, it hasn't snowed a whole lot the past two winters, but when it did it f'n came down. Its also a great way to learn how to drift a little bit

[quote] It may not be pretty, and It may not get you laid, but then when has owning a Honda ever heped in that department? [quote]

 

I used to drive my '86 in the winter before I painted it, but now I have a '79 1st gen beater instead. The car behaves just fine in the snow, and I don't find the 2nd gen or the 1st gen tail happy at all.

However, do yourself and the car a favour and get a beater. The salt will murder the RX-7 in a short time, even with oil sprays and other protection.

 

Derek, the only thing crazy is you and this stupid thread. lol j/k You will be fine this winter as long as you don't drive like kyle. lol

 

I used to have a TII that I drove through 2 winters in Colorado Springs. The lack of torque before the turbo spools is very beneficial on the ice. I only had some Yokohama S03 tires and can remember going up one hill passing a couple fwd cars and a 4wd Cherokee, It was 2 lanes each way and I had to go into the oncoming lanes to get around. I wonder what goes through your mind when you cant figure out how to get your 4wd up a small hill then here comes a little sports car, goes around you and over with no problem...

I believe that driving in snow is 80% driver, 10% car and 10% tires.

 

hmm should I drive the Supra or 7 In winter :[

 

Well i posted this same question a little while ago and my decision is to store the 7 and use my honda for the winter. Why? RUST. I love my car too much to see it rust even more that it is rusted on some side panels and underneath. Sure its gonna be fun and probaly very confident in the snow but the RUST factor out weighs any other reason to drive it in the winter. Get a **** box for the winter there like 4-500 bucks

I just can miss the oppertuntiy to f*** around in the snow a bit though So im gonna drive maybe a little then wash her up good right after