Can I drive a 2004 Cobra in the snow?

T

tmhutch

Founding Member

Dec 31, 2001

117

0

16

Seattle

Jul 24, 2004

#21

• Jul 24, 2004

• #21

Apparently it isnt so bad with GOOD snow tires but I'll tell you it is insane to try it with street tires. I've driven alot of snow in all kinds of vehicles and the Cobra is absolutely rediculous. Typical snow speed for me is 65-70 mph, but in the Cobra I was being passed by old ladies and barely keeping her in a straight line. The cars back end just floated around like like it was riding on skis. IRS does not a snow car make.

Todd

 

C

coreseller

New Member

Feb 1, 2004

18

0

0

Jul 24, 2004

#22

• Jul 24, 2004

• #22

I bought my 01 vert last November from a guy in Cleveland. After the transaction I got in it and headed South for home, got caught in a Ice/Snow storm. After toughing it out for about 30 (passing a couple of dozen accidents along the way) miles I was damn lucky to make it to a hotel without wrecking. I frankly don't know if a good set of snow tires would of helped THAT much but I do know that I will NEVER attempt to drive that Cobra in snow again. BTW, I'm over 40, have lived in the snowbelt all my life, drive 1000 miles a week as a salesman. A couple of business cars ago was a 96 Impala SS which I put 200k on driving it year round without changing tires over in the winter, no problems. I use to have a Vette in the early 90's, it was about as ridiculous as the Cobra in the snow. Given the dynamics of a Cobra (alot of power, short wheelbase, IRS, Front/Rear weight distribution, Etc.) trying to drive it in the snow is a Very Bad idea, period.

 

9

96MustangCobra

New Member

Mar 26, 2004

27

0

0

Powell, OH

Jul 24, 2004

#23

• Jul 24, 2004

• #23

Just go with a beater, it will save you in the long run. Learned it the hard way by totaling my 95 GT last winter.

 

Ganton

Founding Member

Jul 4, 2000

150

0

17

Olympia, Wash. USA

Jul 24, 2004

#24

• Jul 24, 2004

• #24

couldn't do it!

I tried driving my '97 GT in the snow once and it had way less power than my Cobra. I got down to the end of my driveway and was stuck, spinnin', and could go no where, and that was that!

 

motorCITY

New Member

Jul 26, 2003

97

0

0

Lansing, MI

Jul 24, 2004

#25

• Jul 24, 2004

• #25

onrailz - those 04's gotta'lotta power to be considering snow, ice, slush, etc... With my luck, if I were to try and drive in the winter, I would be super-cautious, best winter tires $$ could by, and then have someone in their winter-beater slide through a stop sign and smash the $hit outta my car. But that's just my luck.

I say go with a winter beater and store that snake for the winter. You could probably pick one up for about the same amount of $$$ that 4 good snow tires would cost you.

 

Q

Quick5pnt0

Founding Member

Aug 21, 1999

1,208

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36

north eastern PA

Jul 25, 2004

#26

• Jul 25, 2004

• #26

If you have the choice, just go out and buy a beater corolla or civic and be done with it.
Personally, i've been driving my Mustangs in the snow for years. I drove my 92 GT (not exactly an '03 cobra, but still a stang) in one of the biggest storms in the last few years. The funny thing was that i drove close to 200 miles that day (half that was in the snow storm!) and made it home safely. My friend on the other hand with his 99 4wd Grand Cherokee slide off the road and ran into a pole!!! Just goes to show what 4wd can do for you...LOL (actually he just cant drive, or was driving like an idiot)
It's definately possible, you just have to be really careful and light on the steering/gas/brakes.

 

CrimsonCobra_01

New Member

Oct 7, 2003

125

0

0

Chi Town

Jul 26, 2004

#27

• Jul 26, 2004

• #27

i drive in the snow all the time and i love it, just dont get anywhere fast

 

L

lemosley01

New Member

May 17, 2004

12

0

0

Columbus, OH

Jul 27, 2004

#28

• Jul 27, 2004

• #28

96 GT really sucked in the snow - minor grades (< 2-5%) would result in wheel-spin fishtailing if you weren't careful. If you got stopped on one of those - good luck getting going again because that rear would just slide to the side.

I did it all winter, but it wasn't fun. The days it looks like it will snow, I'll be driving our FWD Santa Fe.

Let me add, if you can find a parking lot someplace, go do donuts! They may suck for daily driving in the snow, but donuts turn out GREAT! My son just loved it.

 

r6bullet

New Member

Jul 25, 2003

112

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0

Jul 27, 2004

#29

• Jul 27, 2004

• #29

I drive my Z year round, and in the snow. I don't recomend it but if you have to then take your time. One morning on my way to school I backed out of the driveway and got stuck right in front of my house. About 10 min. of going forward and reverse I finally got out. RWD and gobs of torque in snow=Bad

 

P

Pumped03Snake

New Member

Jul 18, 2004

15

0

0

Jul 28, 2004

#30

• Jul 28, 2004

• #30

My 03 is a daily driver. I've had it since June, 02 and it just rolled over 38k miles. I live in the Blue Ridge hills and it's seen several snows up to 12 inches running 470 rwhp and 4.10/3.90 gears. If you take it easy it'll make it if the road has been plowed some. I wash mine regularly including getting under it and scrubbing it. I had it at a shop the other day and got compliments on how clean it was underneath. They couldn't believe the car had almost 38k miles at the time.

 

BlackenedSVT

Active Member

Jan 18, 2004

1,841

7

38

New Jersey

Aug 2, 2004

#31

• Aug 2, 2004

• #31

Dont even try it. I was driving back to school once in late April...and it started snowing (im in Vermont mind you). And when i was doing 50-60mph on the highway, in LIGHT snow, i went to switch lanes and that was that. Car did a 180 across the highway from the far right to the far left all the way to the side and off the road at 60mph. I SOOOO luckily didn't hit a DAMN thing. I missed everything on the road, even the reflector markers! I dont know how, but after that i was doing 15mph the whole hour back to my campus. Trust me when i say get a beater car. Cause dude, if ANYTHING happens to your 04 Cobra, you'll be kicking the **** out of yourself for taking it in the snow. DONT EVEN TRY IT.

and the money spent on new wheels and snow tires...get a beater...

 

BlackenedSVT

Active Member

Jan 18, 2004

1,841

7

38

New Jersey

Aug 2, 2004

#32

• Aug 2, 2004

• #32

Dont even try it. I was driving back to school once in late April...and it started snowing (im in Vermont mind you). And when i was doing 50-60mph on the highway, in LIGHT snow, i went to switch lanes and that was that. Car did a 180 across the highway from the far right to the far left all the way to the side and off the road at 60mph. I SOOOO luckily didn't hit a DAMN thing. I missed everything on the road, even the reflector markers! I dont know how, but after that i was doing 15mph the whole hour back to my campus. Trust me when i say get a beater car. Cause dude, if ANYTHING happens to your 04 Cobra, you'll be kicking the **** out of yourself for taking it in the snow. DONT EVEN TRY IT.

and the money spent on new wheels and snow tires...get a beater...

 

9

97poonstang

New Member

May 22, 2004

76

0

0

Lake Tahoe, Ca

Aug 4, 2004

#33

• Aug 4, 2004

• #33

I live in tahoe and I drive in the sow every now and again.... its hard to get going and even harder to stop! But i do make a great snow plow! lol

 

W

whitesnake98

New Member

Apr 23, 2004

6

0

0

Aug 7, 2004

#34

• Aug 7, 2004

• #34

WHY?????

Why would u even want to drive a 30k car in the snow, or even rain. Are u an idiot? Spend another 1000 or so on a winter driver to get u through the bad weather. Why take a chance with a car like that? You only get one mistake and then its over........

 

F

fiveofanatic

How to fuel a Mustang:

Founding Member

Aug 12, 1998

8,152

0

76

Phoenix, AZ suburbs

Aug 8, 2004

#35

• Aug 8, 2004

• #35

It's no Cobra, but my '91 LX went through a couple of snow seasons when I first bought it. The 245/5016's came off, 205/6515 snows went on all four corners, & about 250lbs of bagged gravel went over the rear axle. Never had a problem. Also did snow in a '68 Ranchero with the same recipie, Blizzaks on all four & bagged gravel over the axle.

I'd pick up a set of 17x8's & slap the best 225/50 snows you can find on 'em. That & some ballast in the trunk, & it'll be fine.

No, wait. I wouldn't do that. I'd move to Arizona.