cordius

Alright so I found a VR 7 with 24k on it at a dealership. My question is how are these things in the snow with good snow tires on it? I'd eventually want to put the car away for the winter, but, well, I dont have a garage so...would end up sitting outside anyway.

Thoughts?

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...highlight=snow

fendamonky

iTrader: (6)

Off the cuff I'd say that's probably not a very good idea. These car's will slide around when it's only wet out, add snow and ice and you've got yourself a recipe for disaster.

Just pick up a crappy beater, and (if need be) get yourself one of those easy setup shelter things to park the 7 under. Only drive the 7 in the winter if you don't really have any other choice (even though those cold intake temps *are* tempting)

20B 3 Rotor

iTrader: (7)

Heres my story with my 7 in the snow.

Basically I have some terrible tires on it (champiro), that are really only good in dry conditions, honestly I have enough trouble in the rain.

I am in winnipeg, of any other place in canada, this was probably the best place to test it.

Anyways snow hit early, no place to store it, and I was still in the process of fixing my winter car, so I had only one choice, drive the 7 until I finished fixing the winter car. If your wondering I put the 7 away at around nov.20 before we got anymore snow.

Contradictory to what is mostly said, I had no problem at all. No it wasnt the tires. I had a protege3 hatchback come in with the sames tires I was driving with at work and that car desperately needed snow tires, also I put my stock rims back on with different tires for storage with like 40% tread and still fine maybe tiny slipping.

Anyways the only problem I really had was the locks icing up, ground clearence ( can never be too careful) ohh and the constant state of mind if I am hurting her. By the way there was only sand, no salt yet.

I pretty much just followed these rules:

1. I let it warm up for about 10-15 mins (also depending on rpm and engine temp)

2. I tried to never boost, no matter what, take your time screw the other drivers they can wait for you to get up to speed (when I had the chance on a clean road no other drivers I would giver a bit to get rid of some carbon, only do this if road conditions are safe and you won't hit somebody if you lose control)

3. Drive slow, dont speed, just the speed limit, people may pass you but those are the people you always hear on the radio backing up traffic because they got in an accident

4. coast to a red light, brake gradually, even with ABS you never know

Another thing, maybe just my car, dont start driving without it being warm. I tried that once, just wanted to idle it forward to a different spot, black smoke started pouring out the exhaust and it really wanted to just quit and die.

Even with my good experience, I still wouldnt recommend it. Most people have had really bad experiences, I might have just got lucky. Not too mention it might be hard on it, also, if they salt then I would take the bus, you may clean it really well before storage but any remaining trace may start to eat it.

Snow tires may seem like a good idea, but honestly your probably looking at $500 for a pretty good set plus installation cost ( I am not too positive) and that seems like a waste for tires that you may only use 1 year. You probably could rent a car for cheaper then winter tires. Plus you still run the risk of getting in an accident, you may have good tires but maybe the other car doesnt or is going too fast and before you know it you have more cost's (higher insurance and deductible at the least here in canada).

Ohh, and if she actually only has 24k on her, thats not the kind of 7 you wanna experiment in the snow. If I had a 7 with 24k, it would never see rain, it would only go out on weekends, I would wipe her down with a diaper, when people are still going to the beach I would have it already sleeping in storage.

Well, thats all I have to say about that.

mono4lamar

iTrader: (32)

If you found a FD with 24k on it and drove it in the snow I would not be happy with you.

jeff p

don't boost in the snow you'll be sorry. rain , snow , ice not a good combo for a turbo rotary with a weight of 2800 lbs. it will turn into a snowboard quick.

Jeff

TwinCharged RX7

iTrader: (14)

I had an FB in highschool which only weighed 2300lbs. I drove this year round from the ages of 16-18. I lived in St Lawrence County, NY ( 1/2 hr from the St Lawrence River at the northern tip of NY State) so there was tons of snow and ice. any car is fine as long as you follow the rules.

1. do not skimp on snow tires, do not go with all seasons. the tires must be as thin as possible for your rims, and also have the biggest sidewall possible, a low profile tire is not good in the snow.

2. drive cautiously, if there is snow on the road do not speed, do not accelerate hard and do not break hard. And don't boost, its pretty easy to stay out of possitive pressure if you are careful.

I was an innexperienced driver, drove in some of the worst conditions and was fine.

P.S. - in no way do i condone driving an FD in the snow, anything can happen to even the most cautious and prepared driver, it would be a shame to see an FD go to waste.

f2racer

iTrader: (1)

My daily driver for over 11 years in New England was a '94 Mustang GT. On top of snow tires, I'd stick about 100lbs of sand in the trunk every winter. That being said, as others have already noted, my RX-7 is/was abysmal compared to the Mustang in the rain with regular performance tires, probably due to the difference in weight as the Mustang actually had wider (245) tires than the RX-7 (225). I've gotten caught out with my RX-7 in unexpected snow in the fall a couple of times (with performance tires, I don't have a set of snow tires for it) and I can attest that it's terrible. The rear will break even on the slightest grade. Do yourself a favor and get a beater for the winter as others have already suggested.

TwinCharged RX7

iTrader: (14)

and for pricing, I drove my G35 coupe all winter last year, its a lot heavier and was fine in the snow, but i paid $200 per snow tire, 225'sx18 all the way around with the biggest sidewall that would fit.

gio64

iTrader: (1)

+1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1

gracer7-rx7

iTrader: (16)

^What he said.

cabaynes

iTrader: (4)

Having the car sit in your driveway under a cover is not nearly as bad as you taking it out and driving through all the salt on the roads in Mass. If you found an FD with 24k in miles, you really should have a garage if you intend to keep it nice. These are not cars to daily drive through a north east winter.

cordius

Neighbor has a garage I may be allowed to use. I'd have to ask him.

My thought as well, I figure having the car in a cover and under an aluminum shelter, as well as undercoating it about 5 times or more should keep it well during the winter. I have a couple other cars I could drive in the winter, as well.

I saw that when I searched for a thread like this, but Quebec and Mass have VERY different winters. Was considering driving my 8 in the winter if I don't trade it in to the dealer for this 7.

I had no intentions of driving it year round, but I wanted to make sure that if I absolutely HAD to drive it for the first snow or two, that I could do it at least once or twice.

IRPerformance

iTrader: (41)

You could be the best driver and you are asking for trouble. Its just no fun. If your budget does not allow for 2 decent cars, buy a beater to get you through the winter.

20B 3 Rotor

iTrader: (7)

Stick with the 8, and put some snow tires on it. My buddy is currently dd his 8 in both summer and winter and has had no problems what so ever.

Also, depending on what the dealership is selling it for, I am not too sure if this car is going to sell to fast because if snow is coming, you might be the only one looking for a summer car to put away. So you probably have some time too look for a place to store it and find a beater.

Supernaut

iTrader: (83)

Not babying a 24k FD is a crime. Don't do it.
Kudos for trying to find a safe and clean place for it.

badddrx7

iTrader: (7)

These cars are exotics, you don't go around driving them in the ice and snow for cryin out loud ! Especially one with 24k miles. But if you are deadset on it, here is my recommendations.....fill the back hatch up with 8" concrete foundation blocks, throw on a set of titanium tire chains on all four corners, and keep the boost under 5 pounds. Install one of those nice road grader V blades on front to clear you out a path.



LAter

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

As selfish as it is, I agree completely.

Clearly, FDs are not good in snow. They can be driven in snow but IMHO it's always best to drive the most well-equipped vehicle that is practical when weather is bad.

If you must drive an FD thru winter I strongly recommend snow tires. In fact I recommend snow tires for anyone that drives in winter conditions. But with an FD that extra grip is paramount.

Dave

1QWIK7

iTrader: (33)

I find it funny how people will spend a good amount of money on an FD, just to daily drive. And the fact to say, "i can daily drive my FD".

If you spend 15,20, 25k on an FD, you cant spend another 2k for a winter car?

Even when people say, "just drive careful and you'll be fine", i laugh at. Because they are forgetting it takes ONE idiot on the road with you, to ruin it for you. You can be jeff gordon in your FD. If one idiot comes along and meets with you at the wrong time, there goes your precious FD.

Do yourself a favor, as part of the FD investment, GET A WINTER BEATER.

userjh5174

Why would you want to drive such an iconic and beautiful collector car in the snow?

96fd3s

i was down a steep driveway that was damp and didnt have enough room for me to turn around down.
I was doing wheel spins in reverse trying to reverse out of the drive...and that was only in the wet. I cant imagine what it would be like in the snow! not good i rekon

fendamonky

iTrader: (6)

I have to agree... Between parts and dyno time I've got over 15k in mine, after purchase price.

A car to drive when the weather is crap (and get about 3x better gas mileage in!) costs about 200-500 bucks.. if it gets wrecked, who cares???

AnArKey

iTrader: (1)

Every RWD sports car I ever had is a terror in the snow. Hell, RWD in general is hell in snow, manual trans being much worse than auto. The low off idle torque of a rotary, requiring a good amount of reving before letting off clutch makes it even more tricky to get going without spinning.

If you plan to be in the snow a lot get a auto trans AWD something. You will be very thankful you do when you drive by cars sitting in the ditches.

7syawedis

iTrader: (1)

i daily drove an fc snow and all for a few years. not that it wasnt doable, but it was enough to know i would rather attempt to ride a saucer sled to work than drive my fd. its just not a good idea and not worth the risk however small.

Monkman33

iTrader: (28)

The best mod you could EVER do to an FD... is an alternate Daily Driver.

FD + Snow + Other Drivers = Bad Idea