Mustangs are Death Chariots in the rain, its Amazing

[GTblack_00]

I'm sorry folks, but when it rains I love this poor behavior!! I get to throw the car around any way I want when its safe to do so and not toast my tires soo quick. My driving habits probably need to change though as I must toast a set of tires every 8-10K though.

 

[Sam98]

I have 275's and they are almost like slicks right (I know it is not the smartest thing but I don't have the money to replace them right now) but don't have too much trouble. Just be really easy on the trottle and you should be fine.
And AVOID puddles of water.....

Also sometimes on empty roads I practice to see how much throttle is too much that helps too

Parking lots work better for that, but it is good to learn where the limits are for your car.

 

[Ezekial]

you just need to learn how to drive.. I have had a RWD car since i was 16 and have only once almost lost control, and that was RIGHT after getting my 300hp 66 Mustang. It's second nature to me to keep it under control.

Driving a RWD car is totally different then a WWD car. Just gotta know how to not have a heavy foot, properly apply power and back out, and ot correct when it slides sideways a tad.

Ice is still fun though.. As long as it keeps moving I am normally pretty good. It doesn't like going up icey hills though Not enough weight and crappy tires for it.

 

[dew22]

Good thread here's my 2 cent's

I also went from a 2000 maxima to a 2003 gt and in the 1st week made the mistake of flooring it ( IN THE RAIN ) to get in front of an a-hole trying to keep me from merging, I was going about 50 gunned it (STUPID) and well that was it after 3 1/2 revolutions I and crossing a 4 lane road twice I missed 2 trees and at one point was doing about 50mph backwards looking at the other cars in my lane face to face YEEEEEE HAAAAAA I learned my lesson with more torque and rear wheel drive comes more responsibility and a hell of alot more fun. In the rain If I have anything on my mind other than driving traction control gets left on.

 

[JonJon]

Cobra = my only car, so I drive the piss out of it. It's fun and I wouldn't have it any other way.

That's what I'm talking about, none of this garaging crap My car looks horrid right now though, totally covered in salt. Car wash time tomorrow

But I still don't really like to drive in rain or snow. 245 is just too wide for that kind of crop. Now when I get my new tire(265&285), would be interesting...

I have 275 Kuhmo's all around, wow they suck in the snow!!!
I'll go through slush and I'll slide all the way through. It's amazing how crappy the wideness makes them handle in the snow. I chose to leave my winter tires off so far, haven't had a need to really drive around in the snow. Friend's with SUVs

My GT stays in the garage when it rains.

Drive it like you stole it!!

Good thread here's my 2 cent's

I also went from a 2000 maxima to a 2003 gt and in the 1st week made the mistake of flooring it ( IN THE RAIN ) to get in front of an a-hole trying to keep me from merging, I was going about 50 gunned it (STUPID) and well that was it after 3 1/2 revolutions I and crossing a 4 lane road twice I missed 2 trees and at one point was doing about 50mph backwards looking at the other cars in my lane face to face YEEEEEE HAAAAAA I learned my lesson with more torque and rear wheel drive comes more responsibility and a hell of alot more fun. In the rain If I have anything on my mind other than driving traction control gets left on.

That's pretty lucky!

 

[neoclasiccl]

Just a note. I have only been in Florida for almost 6 years. Before I lived in Mass and drove a S/Ced 90 LX 5.0. It was an interesting experience driving it in all the Northeastern storms. So I have experienced RWD and snow and ICE. Which is why I am glad to be in florida now But I feel bad for all of you northerners Just look on the brite side spring is getting closer.

 

[JonJon]

Just a note. I have only been in Florida for almost 6 years. Before I lived in Mass and drove a S/Ced 90 LX 5.0. It was an interesting experience driving it in all the Northeastern storms. So I have experienced RWD and snow and ICE. Which is why I am glad to be in florida now But I feel bad for all of you northerners Just look on the brite side spring is getting closer.

I love MA

 

[Beau]

i do just fine in the winter

 

[blkgt714]

Never had problems driving Mustangs in the rain... You don't get the rev's up any higher then 2500. Least I never do, I coast through turns and always shift earlier then normal. Never spun out my rear end yet, and I've been driving Mustangs since 95..

 

[BullittStangV8]

Im fine in the winter as long as i drive under control. Dont nail the throttle, and dont Stab the brakes too hard. You'll be fine.
Mike
p.s for a real good time, take your car to a empty lot in the rain and just do donuts. ive done a 720 before, im sure others have done better!

 

[2003BlackGT]

Really enjoyed this thread. Driving in the rain is a no brainer compared to
the frozen version; like we have had up north for the last week or so
nonstop.. My GT does just fine. All types of precip. requires a different
driving approach be it freezing rain, sleet or snow. Not only THAT but
which order did it come in. Sometimes get freezing rain than sleet on top
of that....NOT TOO BAD....Sometime get freezing rain on top of sleet....
VERY VERY BAD. Light snow in real cold...EASY....Slushy snow around 30
degrees...BAD NEWS. I have a 5 speed and live in a hilly area. At the
top of a hill and looking down you can have some real nasty things happen
to you. Shifting down and using the engine to slow the car rather than
hitting the breaks is safe and than come to a stop gently tapping the
breaks. It is all touch and experience. Yeah, rain can be hard sometimes
but northern winters are worse! The only thing that keeps the car
garaged is black ice....THAT IS DANGEROUS! Mark

 

[Lazer2KGT]

A SAFETY ISSUE??
First off you must have not driven many trucks in the rain, Big Blocks for sure. I live in the Seattle area and you better know how to drive in the rain. I try not to get my stang dirty and drive in the rain. It has 315's on it, the wider the tire the more your car will hydro plane. My Stang is nothing compared to driving my old lifted F-150 4X4 (351 5 Speed) with 33 12.5 tires on it. I've never had any problem with mine in the rain, but with the traction cont. off it's alot of fun to barely tap the throttle and go sideways. I have mainely driven trucks for years as my daily drivers. Tires are everything in the rain as well as common sense.
Scott

 

[2003BlackGT]

A SAFETY ISSUE??
First off you must have not driven many trucks in the rain, Big Blocks for sure. I live in the Seattle area and you better know how to drive in the rain. I try not to get my stang dirty and drive in the rain. It has 315's on it, the wider the tire the more your car will hydro plane. My Stang is nothing compared to driving my old lifted F-150 4X4 (351 5 Speed) with 33 12.5 tires on it. I've never had any problem with mine in the rain, but with the traction cont. off it's alot of fun to barely tap the throttle and go sideways. I have mainely driven trucks for years as my daily drivers. Tires are everything in the rain as well as common sense.
Scott

Common Sense..... rain or snow... you said it well!

 

[Ryan L]

Springs own you.

 

[Ken01GTvert]

Couple of suggestions (1) get a better understanding of your Stangs handling limits and know how far to go depending on the weather conditions both accelerating and decelerating (2) if you're interested in better performance in the wet stuff...get tires that are perform better in it. I bought my Stang used and the new tires that the dealer put on them were great on dry road but had practically no traction in the rain. I put on tires that were rated much better in the rain and light snow and it's made a world of difference. It's a trade off though usually for dry and wet weather traction.

 

[stang1989]

My sister went to that school, got to drive a Viper too. I have never went. But, all the skill in the world won't help you if your stang has taken control of itself if you know what I mean.

I think the best skill is self control and to keep reminding myself what kind of car I am now driving.

Upgrade the nut behind the wheel. Your sister can't do it for you.

 

[01'TRUE BLUE GT]

Is it just me or do Mustangs absolutely SUCK in bad weather conditions? I miss the safety of my Maxima in bad weather, and have taken it for granted thats for sure. Even though it was supercharged and modded, the FWD drivetrain was much more forgiving in the rain.

Well, now I have my '97 Mustang Cobra. It is downright SCARY to drive in the rain. There have been a handfull of times now in the couple months i've owned it where I totally lost control. One time I did a 180 and veered into the median and onto the other side of the 4 lane road. Thank God no one was coming or I would have been toast. The thing is, I wasn't flooring it, or anything close, it was ~%50 throttle at the most in 2nd gear with the stock gearing at low rpm. I get soo scared, because once your in a tailspin the Mustang doesn't forgive. Not only that, but it seems like it wants to break the rear end loose, I can't give it more then 20% throttle input during rainy weather, or the rear end starts dancing.

Are all RWD cars like this? I know for sure my dads 2k4 4runner and my moms 2k4 G35 handle MUCH better in the rain. I literally fear for my life sometimes on the highway, becuause if I'm giving too much throttle input, even if its in 5th gear lugging along, and I hit a road imperfection, I would be screwed. (or at least it feels that way) I drive like a grandma in the rain now, and can't help what would happen if I gave it too much gas on impulse, and pwned myself. Scary thought.

So, what are yall's take on this? My car corners extremely flat, balanced, and grips like mad with the help of my kumho's, handles almost as well as my moms g35 on smooth surfaces. BUT, it seems like Ford didnt put any thought into safety features in the suspension for hazardous weather.

Mustangs don't suck in rain or snow, I never had any problems with mine. I was actually surprised how good mine went in the snow with a decent set of snow tires. No offense, but to me it sounds like you need more experience driving a RWD car that actually has some balls. Having the right tires for the right conditions makes a big difference too. You can't expect your tires that hook good in dry conditions to excel in the rain and snow as well, that's impossible ... you can't have everything with one set of tires.

 

[103]

I live in Florida and I haven't had any trouble since i had a set of balding Dunlops two years ago...

 

[Makalani_96GT]

Hey my tires are bald as hell but I go as fast as I want to in the rain I like living on that thin line you know but the wife hates it and always seems to remind me that her honda handles "way" better. I then go one to remind her where the door is and where the line for real cars start.

 

[ChrisXoxide]

I actually have no problem driving the Mustang in the rain. I just try not to drive over 65-70mph.

They handle fine in the rain too... and you can even accelerate some out of a turn. (Atleast stock you can).

The Viper is kinda bad in the rain, the biggest problem being once you do even 50mph in some conditions you can start hydroplaning. And, it can't accelerate out of a turn.