Got Ice?
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Got Ice?
Hello to all you other Corvette lovers! This is my first post. I live in an area that gets ice and snow during the winter and I was wondering if any of you could tell me if the car handles on the ice/snow without traction control. I don't want to drive it in the snow but where I live the weather can change in a heartbeat. There is a 1990 Vette I want to buy but I need to know how it handles before I make my desicion. Thanks!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Tire selection is going to be key. My Goodyear F1 GS-D3s are not as good in the snow ice or even in sub zero weather as the Potenza RE730s that the Goodyears replaced (the RE 730 was discontinued).
But life wasn't impossible with the Goodyears and snow, lowering the car didn't help my winter driving capabilities either.
That's a minus 18 and its farenheit not that surrender monkey measurement celsius.
But life wasn't impossible with the Goodyears and snow, lowering the car didn't help my winter driving capabilities either.
That's a minus 18 and its farenheit not that surrender monkey measurement celsius.
Last edited by aboatguy; Sep 15, 2007 at 06:54 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 17,298
Likes: 33
From: The Top of Utah
In my experience, you can't have a Corvette, in snow country, as your only means of transportation. At least not if when you go out isn't totally under your control. What you CAN do and what you want to live with are two different things.
RACE ON!!!
RACE ON!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 4
From: Hinckley Ohio
Traction control isn't the only issue.....it is low ground clearance, wide tires that don't really cut it in snow, etc.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
I've found that my '85 will do just fine on a slight amount of snow and/or ice if I take it easy. Of course if theres 4" or more on the ground you'll become a snow plow and possibly risk sucking some into the engine.
I would not recommend it as your only means of transportation if you live in a area that sees a lot of snow. I live in OH and I have 2 cars for that reason.
I would not recommend it as your only means of transportation if you live in a area that sees a lot of snow. I live in OH and I have 2 cars for that reason.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 4
From: North Carolina
Last year I had to drive my vette in the snow, BECAUSE my 96 Impala kept getting stuck. I am running Falken Ziex Summer Tires, and although it was a long trip in the car through the snow storm I got stuck in, I managed to make it to my destination. This year, I saved up for a winter beater so neither me or my girlfriend will be driving the Impala or the Vette in the snow.
With that said if you want the vette buy it... you don't necessarily have to drive it though every snow storm, if your worried look into public transportation, cabs, friends, parents, whatever....
Don't drop the car, keep it stock ride height, and get a good set of snow tires and you should be OK.
Just my $0.02
DG
With that said if you want the vette buy it... you don't necessarily have to drive it though every snow storm, if your worried look into public transportation, cabs, friends, parents, whatever....
Don't drop the car, keep it stock ride height, and get a good set of snow tires and you should be OK.
Just my $0.02
DG
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 2
From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
Snow and ice are two different things. I've driven my 4WD in ice and even that is chancey.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Central NJ
Putting a rear drive, traction limited car, into a further traction limited situation should be carefully considered. At the very least you will incur considerable cost to drive the car in the winter. Do they even make winter tires that will fit our cars? A quick search shows Dunlop making some 255's, the same quick search turned up nothing for 285's. So availability of winter tires with wheel sizes that already have limited tire selection might be another issue.
Oh yeah, I live in CO, my car doesn't like snow much. Just because it can be done doesn't make it a good idea.
Oh yeah, I live in CO, my car doesn't like snow much. Just because it can be done doesn't make it a good idea.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski