2015 GT in the Snow???

[JoeDogInKC]

How about putting a car cover on the outdoor vehicle when you get home in the evening? Then you can pretty much just pull it off along with most of the snow/ice the next morning.

Sponsored

 

[Tony Alonso]

How about putting a car cover on the outdoor vehicle when you get home in the evening? Then you can pretty much just pull it off along with most of the snow/ice the next morning.

Not so easy with the weight of the snow and ice on top of it. Plus, wind-whipped car cover scratches might be possibly occur.

OP, my 2010 GT has been out in the weather daily for 4 1/2 years. Before that, I had an '03 Mach 1 that was outside for 6 1/2 of the 8 years I had it. So long as you keep the salt off with periodic washes (I use a touchless car wash that has a blow dryer at the end of the bay), your car's finish should weather OK. It won't be picture perfect (rock chips, small nicks, etc.) because of its daily driver status, but the more you protect it with waxing and doing the periodic clay bar treatment, the better it will be.

Yes, the car underneath will look less than perfect, so if you like that kind of appearance, you would have to work more at cleaning the undercarriage.

I've driven both of those cars in the snow. In the Mach 1 (last generation platform), I put sand tubes in the trunk to shift weight to the back. I drove on both on the stock Gatorbacks and then later all-season tires. The 2010 GT was able to get around on the stock Pirelli all-seasons in light to moderate snow - no sand bags necessary (different platform and traction control system). If I lived in an area where we saw more snow, I'd have a separate set of snow tires mounted on another set of wheels for winter.

The new GT with selectable driver modes should be even more stable. If you want an account of how the electronic aids in current cars work, read this thread on the C7 Corvette forum. This is a 455hp sports car that many would say "no way in the snow", and yet the owner of this car did some great tests of the Vette's system with all-season Michelins. Great reading!

 

[JoeDogInKC]

Not so easy with the weight of the snow and ice on top of it. Plus, wind-whipped car cover scratches might be possibly occur.

I was thinking that you could likely pull out a floor broom and knock most of it off. Of course, that won't work for ice, but if there is that much ice on it, I (personally) probably wouldn't be going anywhere in it anyway. The wind whipping is a great point though.

 

[Tony Alonso]

I was thinking that you could likely pull out a floor broom and knock most of it off. Of course, that won't work for ice, but if there is that much ice on it, I (personally) probably wouldn't be going anywhere in it anyway. The wind whipping is a great point though.

Ask me how I know I actually tried this one. Didn't work so good.

 

[wjones14]

Ugh.. I hate driving my old car. It's such a bland experience. We get a lot of snow, so it would be more than "some mornings." "Most mornings" is more accurate.
I just think when people leave cars out in their driveways, it's tacky. Looks bad. Not quite as bad as parking on the lawn, though.

Yeah, my thought was, for folks that don't do it themselves, every time you take it to a shop to do it, it's added risk. Those guys aren't real gentle on cars. Having them pull it on and off a lift twice a year could get it banged up.

If it's a job I could do myself, I'd consider that. I'm not sure I'd trust me strength in securing my wheels to my car, though! Hope I could "screw them on" (or whatever) tight enough!

I'm not really sure what you want someone with experience to tell you. you asked about getting a Mustang in addition to your older car, and then when you get responses from others who do just that, you say you really don't want to drive your older car anymore... :shrug:

Based on your comment about "screwing" the wheels on, you have little to no mechanical aptitude, so I'm going to guess that jacking your car up and changing wheels yourself isn't really an option. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you don't own a floor jack either. But perhaps you have a friend who could provide the tools and know-how?

As far as having a tire shop swap the wheels for you - that's what they do! I've never heard of anyone's car getting damages while changing wheels, though I suppose it's possible. If you have the cash for a new Mustang, I would say an additional $100 for a floor jack and torque wrench would be an excellent investment.

 

[JoeDogInKC]

Ask me how I know I actually tried this one. Didn't work so good.

haha, I had a feeling. Thanks for the input!

 

[Tony Alonso]

As far as having a tire shop swap the wheels for you - that's what they do! I've never heard of anyone's car getting damages while changing wheels, though I suppose it's possible.

I've seen wheel damage on the finish from using a impact tool and not being careful to properly torque lug nuts. I am picky about nicks in the finish. If the person doing the work is careful, it shouldn't be a big deal, but the carelessness does make it one!

 

[Sal JC]

I've seen wheel damage on the finish from using a impact tool and not being careful to properly torque lug nuts. I am picky about nicks in the finish. If the person doing the work is careful, it shouldn't be a big deal, but the carelessness does make it one!

^ This, most shops have animals working there, I've had rims damaged and centercaps. Using an impact wrench on wheels is like using a chainsaw to carve a turkey, and yes lugs should always torqued otherwise your rotors could warp and you'll get brake flutter

 

[marjen]

Rear wheel drive and snow

Hey everyone. I am thinking about getting a mustang this fall when they are released. I leave in the North East and obviously winters can be brutal. Its also very hilly in this area and most of the hilly roads are also have lots of curves. So I have always heard rear wheel drive is not good in snow but have never owned a rear wheel drive car. Currently I have an AWD fusion which performs well and prior had a series of FWD which did fine.

I am not planning on being out with 3-4 inches on the ground (unless caught off guard) just wondering about the 1-2" slushy mess they often happens.

thanks.

 

[DivineStrike]

Just get some snow tires for the winter and you'll be fine. You can also get old school and put a couple hundred pounds of bagged sand or something else that's heavy in the back. Depending on the hill the extra weight can really help. Ya just gotta be a little more careful since its easy to get sideways. I know it's a truck but I still kept my ranger in 2wd and it did fine going up to Erie this winter through the mountains in snow. And they have a really light rear end. My tires are slightly snow rated but honestly it would have been fine if they weren't.

 

[RoryTate]

Too much weight in the back and the front tires become ineffective (I like being able to steer in the snow). You want closer to a 50/50 weight distribution.

 

[DivineStrike]

True but the big concern in snow and ice with rwd is getting sideways so a little more weight in the back will be more of a benefit than 50/50. And you'd have to put a ridiculous amount of weight in the car to make steering ineffective. That said it's still best to add only what ya need and not go over board. Although weight in the back is more for steep hills that you can't get up. So if you aren't having any trouble with them I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[Blue_blur47]

"I'm really considering buying a new Mustang GT"

"Dude, you live in PA"

"Yeah i know :("

 

[tbonez3858]

The Mustang is an awesome car but in my personal opinion its not worth your safety...There are many great choices for AWD performance cars near this price range..

S3
EVO
STI
IS 350 F
ATS-V (awd rumors)

I realize none of these cars have the V8 brute force the stang does. I think the excitement of owning a Mustang would quickly dwindle after a few trips of ice and snow. There is nothing like white knuckling a car for a couple of hours in a storm.

 

[DivineStrike]

RWD will be fine but i guess it does depend on the individual. If it makes you that nervous then yea you probably shouldn't get one but there are tons of people with sports and muscle cars in the snow belt areas. And there are many more other rwd cars out there in these area's as well. But if this will be your only vehicle definitely get dedicated snow tires and if you need them, studded tires. Ideally you should keep your fusion and just enjoy the mustang on better days but it sounds like you'll be trading it in.

Sponsored