RWD in the snow

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StangDreamer

New Member

Aug 19, 2006

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Aug 20, 2006

#1

• Aug 20, 2006

• #1

I'm looking into buying a Mustang GT and it would be my year around daily driver. How well does the RWD work in the snow and rain? Is this even something reasonable for me to think about? I live in SE Michigan so we don't get extreme amounts of snow or anything. How many things can you do to improve its handling; like sand bags and new tires? Many people make it sound like a death trap to drive a RWD sports car in our snow. Could I get this car? Thanks

 

Ernad

celibate sans pants

Apr 2, 2004

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Grand Rapids, MI

Aug 20, 2006

#2

• Aug 20, 2006

• #2

I've driven my 98 Stang in 3 Michigan winters in all kinds of conditions. Also, I've driven numerous other cars in the same conditions. Generally, if you behave yourself according to the conditions, you should not have a problem no matter what car you're in. I feel that the only real downfall to RWD in snow can be starting. But this can be helped with dedicated snow tires. If you're cautious in curves, then again, you shouldn't experience trouble. In my opinion, RWD can be driven to 95% of the conditions that any other car can. 4WD/AWD isn't really any helpful if you hit a real slick surface, read ice.

Rain is pretty much a joke compared to snow. Again, take it easy and it shouldn't trouble ya.

Hope that helps.


btw, my experience is in populated areas where roads are usually salted/cleared. out in the rural areas, a RWD maybe more trouble because the roads are not taken care off as much.

 

timeless2

Vi Veri Veni Versum Vicus Vici

Admin Dude

Nov 29, 1999

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the Shadow Gallery

Aug 22, 2006

#3

• Aug 22, 2006

• #3

Ernie put it quite well. Nothing much to add to that, other than patience and the allowance of extra time in your commute when the weather is bad. Getting in a hurry, no matter what the road condition, is what causes many accidents.

 

K

Kilgore Trout

Fried or Broiled ?

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Mar 30, 2005

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Aug 22, 2006

#4

• Aug 22, 2006

• #4

Try to get a Mustang that is not lowered and is at the stock ride heigth. This will help A LOT.

You must respect the rear wheel drive, as long as you do you will most likely be ok.

 

5.0 con-vert

No soup for you, Joe Rogan!!!

Jun 7, 2005

244

4

39

Boca Raton, FL

Aug 22, 2006

#5

• Aug 22, 2006

• #5

StangDreamer said:

I'm looking into buying a Mustang GT and it would be my year around daily driver. How well does the RWD work in the snow and rain? Is this even something reasonable for me to think about? I live in SE Michigan so we don't get extreme amounts of snow or anything. How many things can you do to improve its handling; like sand bags and new tires? Many people make it sound like a death trap to drive a RWD sports car in our snow. Could I get this car? Thanks

Click to expand...

Snow tires and sandbags FTW! I had an 89 Crown Vic through High school and as long as you take it easy in the corners, all is well. I just used to coast through them and never spun out. If all 4 tires are spinning at the same speed, you usually stay on the road. where in SE are you?

 

Mossberg

Active Member

Jul 21, 2003

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ATL, Shawty

Aug 22, 2006

#6

• Aug 22, 2006

• #6

Just move to Georgia like I did. Detroit winters sucked. I just used a daily driver/beater. Driving the Stang was too frustrating in the winter.

 

timeless2

Vi Veri Veni Versum Vicus Vici

Admin Dude

Nov 29, 1999

1,366

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the Shadow Gallery

Aug 22, 2006

#7

• Aug 22, 2006

• #7

Mossberg said:

Driving the Stang was too frustrating in the winter.

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It helps if you know how to drive.

 

Mossberg

Active Member

Jul 21, 2003

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1

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ATL, Shawty

Aug 23, 2006

#8

• Aug 23, 2006

• #8

timeless2 said:

It helps if you know how to drive.

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My skills are just fine. It's just that having a beater is so much better and easier. I'm from the school of work smarter, not harder.

 

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qcrun98

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Sep 11, 2005

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Moline, IL

Aug 23, 2006

#9

• Aug 23, 2006

• #9

lol no doubt my 98 saleen clone was lowered and acted as a snow plow.

 

Henceforward

The Avatar Master

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Jul 17, 2001

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Aug 23, 2006

#10

• Aug 23, 2006

• #10

Snowned!

 

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StangDreamer

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Aug 19, 2006

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Aug 23, 2006

#11

• Aug 23, 2006

• #11

5.0 con-vert said:

Snow tires and sandbags FTW! I had an 89 Crown Vic through High school and as long as you take it easy in the corners, all is well. I just used to coast through them and never spun out. If all 4 tires are spinning at the same speed, you usually stay on the road. where in SE are you?

Click to expand...

I live in Canton, if you've heard of it. Thanks for all the great replies.

 

5.0 con-vert

No soup for you, Joe Rogan!!!

Jun 7, 2005

244

4

39

Boca Raton, FL

Aug 28, 2006

#12

• Aug 28, 2006

• #12

StangDreamer said:

I live in Canton, if you've heard of it. Thanks for all the great replies.

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My grandma lives off of Ford rd and 275. I know it all too well. I was just there two weeks ago actually eating dinner at applebees after the Tigers game/ dream cruise weekend.

 

50FoxBodyGT

Member

Aug 24, 2006

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Memphis

Sep 1, 2006

#13

• Sep 1, 2006

• #13

Funny, I live in canton as well. Ford and Morton Taylor, near the new Ikea.

 

Leeroy697

Founding Member

Nov 26, 2000

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Detroit, Michigan

Sep 9, 2006

#14

• Sep 9, 2006

• #14

Kilgore Trout said:

You must respect the rear wheel drive, as long as you do you will most likely be ok.

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Nicely put

 

macdstr8up

New Member

May 7, 2005

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Greenville, ohio

Sep 9, 2006

#15

• Sep 9, 2006

• #15

Henceforward said:

Snowned!

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DOH! looks like my first mustang i flipped because of snow

 

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OUTSHINE1969

New Member

Sep 13, 2006

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CHICAGO,IL

Sep 25, 2006

#16

• Sep 25, 2006

• #16

buy a beater 4 wheel drive truck if you in a snowy state or blizzack's there great had them on my 3.8 stang had no problems

 

Twista

Active Member

May 7, 2004

510

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@ the z00 in chicago

Oct 18, 2006

#17

• Oct 18, 2006

• #17

stangs dont belong in the snow ;]

they just dont :/. My Gt is my DD, so it see snow whenever it happends. Its also my 1st car and we saw our 1st winter last year. Got stuck in the bad snow storm and almost spinned out acouple times because my tires was near bald. SUCKY!!