Cobra's in the snow

S

shadowland2000

Member

Mar 28, 2003

97

0

6

Dec 23, 2003

#1

• Dec 23, 2003

• #1

Its very likely I will be driving my 01 cobra in the snow for the first time. I read in the owner's manual that if chains are required, you must use cable chains.
(In the San Bernadino Mtns they require chains when it snows).
My experience in the past with cable chains is they suck, particularly with rear-wheel drive.

So, first, how well will the car do without chains? Is the traction control going to be a major plus?

And second, will I be able to go up steeper hills with the cable chains?

Third, am I crazy for even thinking of using this car in the snow? I guess I could rent an SUV.

 

B

blk32V

New Member

Apr 10, 2003

130

0

0

Portage, IN

Dec 23, 2003

#2

• Dec 23, 2003

• #2

Yeah, don't drive your Cobra in the snow up a mountain!! Crazy talk there!! If you have to drive it, buy some good snow tires or buy a junk car!

 

01SilverL

Founding Member

May 5, 2002

262

0

0

Massachusetts

Dec 23, 2003

#3

• Dec 23, 2003

• #3

Snow is fun in the cobra. I only had to abandon mine twice so far this year.

 

WHITE94COBRA

New Member

Nov 14, 2003

816

0

0

HUNTINGTON BEACH

Dec 23, 2003

#4

• Dec 23, 2003

• #4

I lived in lake arrowhead for 18 years and the snow was never really that bad, however our cars wont go in snow!!! Buy a little junker suburu 4x4 for now I know a bunch for sale really cheap up there.

 

missouri_guy197

New Member

Aug 31, 2002

1,441

1

0

St. Louis, MO

Dec 23, 2003

#5

• Dec 23, 2003

• #5

Find a $500-1000 FWD beater for the winter snows and your Cobra will thank you...mine sure has and my little blue rusted out 90 Tercel has paid for it's $800 pricetag about 3 times over in the 2 years I've owned it...

 

J

joey8656

Founding Member

Apr 1, 2002

273

0

0

NJ

Dec 23, 2003

#6

• Dec 23, 2003

• #6

Well, my 97 got stuck at the foot of the driveway in 2 inches of snow- so I'd stay way from anything steep.

P.S. I got it out /up by shoveling 2 tire paths and laying down 5lbs of salt in the 2 paths. What a PITA.

 

BlackOnBlackCobra96

Founding Member

Dec 11, 1999

800

0

16

Cleveland, OH & Detroit, MI

Dec 23, 2003

#7

• Dec 23, 2003

• #7

I once drove my '95 GT in the snow. Key word is "once." Buy a beater

 

T

tmhutch

Founding Member

Dec 31, 2001

117

0

16

Seattle

Dec 24, 2003

#8

• Dec 24, 2003

• #8

I drove alot of older cars (GTO, Camaros, Firebirds, all 67-70) back and forth over the Cascades for many years while going to school. Recently, I got stuck driving the Cobra in the snow between ID and WA. All I can say is, what an F'N nightmare. Snow is not so bad, but if you get caught in ice, get ready for a white knuckle ride. I'm not afraid to say I'm a damn good driver in the snow, but old ladys were blowing my doors off.

Each side of the IRS grabs for every little crack in the road, and if it's slick, it's just like dragging the rear of the car behind you because it wont track at all.

Dont do it

Todd

 

dark_cobra_01

Founding Member

Apr 19, 2002

853

0

0

RI BEACHES

Dec 24, 2003

#9

• Dec 24, 2003

• #9

I had to drive my 01 cobra through the winter last year .. After that I said "NEVER AGAIN".. I now got a beater and the 01 sits in the yard hibernating.


1 inch of snow:

I could totally forget about gettin into my driveway because of a slight incline.. And if ya ever got plowed into a parking lot you might as well leave it till spring.. I went sideways trying to leaving a parking spot more than once.. figured out that I could turn off the traction control and power burn my way out of the snow .

Traction Control:

That shhiiizz was the life saver as well as the devil's advocate..

last year I was in a heavy storm on the highway. I would not of been moving if it weren't for the traction control, but at the same time I was moving along at 30 mph in my lane almost sideways but still going forward.. to this day I still say WTF on that.. it was quite an experience.

 

I

isdnmatt

Founding Member

Mar 22, 2001

368

0

0

Smithtown, NY

Dec 25, 2003

#10

• Dec 25, 2003

• #10

As everyone has stated, there is no way you will be able to drive the Cobra with SNOW CHAINS. That part of the manual should be ripped out and discarded.

I can bearly get the car moving on wet grass, let alone an inch of snow. It has spent only one night at the bottom of the driveway cause of some flurries, after that i was all about a beater.

Matt

 

SVTCobra97

Founding Member

Nov 9, 2002

310

0

0

Dayton, Ohio

Dec 25, 2003

#11

• Dec 25, 2003

• #11

This is my second winter driving my 97 Cobra in the snow. As stated before, going uphill with snow on the road doesn't really work to well..... Forget chains, just take your time and be cautious. I'm more afraid of all the other drivers out there.

 

duner

Mr. Warmth

Jul 21, 2003

1,756

3

0

Oregon

Dec 25, 2003

#12

• Dec 25, 2003

• #12

I wouldn't even try it.

Like others have said buy an old beater 4x4. I have family hundreds of miles and two mountains passes away. I rent a 4x4 when I visit them.

I learned how to drive and grew up in Alaska. I owned RWD cars there but never one with 400hp.

Can't even imagine driving my Cobra on slick snowy/icy roads.

 

AsianStanger

New Member

Sep 6, 2002

21

0

0

Cumberland, Rhode Island

Dec 27, 2003

#13

• Dec 27, 2003

• #13

the only good thing about the snow with the cobra is for playing with your ABS and IRS