2015 GT in the Snow???

[Rickycardo]

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.

I'm not sure I could disagree more. While I admit the Mustang or any RWD car is not the worlds best in snow and ice it is anything but white knuckling. I have lived in the Midwest almost all my life and have driven RWD cars in the winter for 30 years or more. I drove my 2011 in the winter. It is no 4x4 but with patience, skill, practice and some brains you'll do fine. Remember, for 100 years we have driven RWD cars in the snow and ice. You'll find in most cars, even my AWD Taurus, it's stopping and turning that's the issue more than acceleration and fish-tailing.
Also remember that Ford has built this car (any many before it) for a country of consumers half of which live in the snow belt. They wouldn't build a car that half of it's consumer base couldn't drive.

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[2panther]

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

"Dude, you live in PA"

"Yeah i know :("

I live in western NY, I feel your pain. I ordered a 2015 GT anyway, fuck em.

 

[BillB]

Having done quite a bit of driving in snow/ice in some very adverse conditions I figured I'd mention a few things I haven't heard on this thread yet.

First I'd consider how flexible can you be. Can you take public transit, carpool, or related? Will you be fired if you can't make it to work?

The normal cheap car has a few advantages:
* skinny tires
* front weight bias
* FWD (a plus with the front weight bias)
* fairly intuitive handling when slippery.

They do however have two disadvantages:
* they are typically one wheel drive, power goes to the worst traction wheel
* when climbing the weight shifts to the rear, reducing traction on the drive
wheels when traction is most needed.

So if you have your heart set on a mustang. I'd consider:
* skipping options that lower the ride height.
* consider winter tires and/or a different set of wheels to run narrower winter tires
* get limited slip (upgrading from 1wd when slippery to 2wd).

I've had a WRX and it had limited slip in the rear differential, and the front/back differential. The front differential was open, actually kind of handy. You can do donuts with the front inside wheel staying still. The result is when it gets really slippery I effectively have three wheel drive, and can get stuck if any 3 wheels don't get enough traction. I've only had that happen a few times when the snow was deep enough to lift the car off the wheels.

With limited slip and assuming the snow isn't so deep/soft that it lifts the car (or builds up in front of it) a RWD with limited slip can do quite well in the snow. I've seen quite a few RWD cars do fine in challenging conditions during storms in the sierras. Not as good as my 4wd subies, but plenty to get around. Amusingly in the worst conditions seems inevitable that when someone ends up stuck in a snowbank it's a 4wd. Sure 4wd makes it easier to go faster when slippery, but you have no advantage when turning or stopping. So the 2wd folks go slower, and have more traction in reserve in the corners or surprisingly slippery spots.

In truly treacherous conditions make sure you have 4 channel ABS, but I doubt any recent mustang doesn't. Nothing like descending out of the mountains at under 10mph hearing all 4 wheels chatter as they strain to have enough traction to keep you on the road.

I've heard there's a "snow mode" in the 2015, not sure if it's stock or an upgrade. I believe it uses the brakes to transfer power from the slipping wheel to the non-slipping wheel. Should help quite a bit.

I'm seriously considering a mustang that will do some snow duty, but I'm waiting to actually test drive one and won't decide on eco boost vs gt until I test drive and see the MPG numbers. I'm particularly interested in the HP and Torque vs RPM. I don't drive near red line all the time so I do care quite a bit about HP/torque at 2-4k RPM.

 

[mustang317]

Having done quite a bit of driving in snow/ice in some very adverse conditions I figured I'd mention a few things I haven't heard on this thread yet.

First I'd consider how flexible can you be. Can you take public transit, carpool, or related? Will you be fired if you can't make it to work?

The normal cheap car has a few advantages:
* skinny tires
* front weight bias
* FWD (a plus with the front weight bias)
* fairly intuitive handling when slippery.

They do however have two disadvantages:
* they are typically one wheel drive, power goes to the worst traction wheel
* when climbing the weight shifts to the rear, reducing traction on the drive
wheels when traction is most needed.

So if you have your heart set on a mustang. I'd consider:
* skipping options that lower the ride height.
* consider winter tires and/or a different set of wheels to run narrower winter tires
* get limited slip (upgrading from 1wd when slippery to 2wd).

I've had a WRX and it had limited slip in the rear differential, and the front/back differential. The front differential was open, actually kind of handy. You can do donuts with the front inside wheel staying still. The result is when it gets really slippery I effectively have three wheel drive, and can get stuck if any 3 wheels don't get enough traction. I've only had that happen a few times when the snow was deep enough to lift the car off the wheels.

With limited slip and assuming the snow isn't so deep/soft that it lifts the car (or builds up in front of it) a RWD with limited slip can do quite well in the snow. I've seen quite a few RWD cars do fine in challenging conditions during storms in the sierras. Not as good as my 4wd subies, but plenty to get around. Amusingly in the worst conditions seems inevitable that when someone ends up stuck in a snowbank it's a 4wd. Sure 4wd makes it easier to go faster when slippery, but you have no advantage when turning or stopping. So the 2wd folks go slower, and have more traction in reserve in the corners or surprisingly slippery spots.

In truly treacherous conditions make sure you have 4 channel ABS, but I doubt any recent mustang doesn't. Nothing like descending out of the mountains at under 10mph hearing all 4 wheels chatter as they strain to have enough traction to keep you on the road.

I've heard there's a "snow mode" in the 2015, not sure if it's stock or an upgrade. I believe it uses the brakes to transfer power from the slipping wheel to the non-slipping wheel. Should help quite a bit.

I'm seriously considering a mustang that will do some snow duty, but I'm waiting to actually test drive one and won't decide on eco boost vs gt until I test drive and see the MPG numbers. I'm particularly interested in the HP and Torque vs RPM. I don't drive near red line all the time so I do care quite a bit about HP/torque at 2-4k RPM.

I agree thats why i am keeping my 2002 lancer when it snows and i will drive my mustang when it snow theres no point on driving the the GT if the snow is very bad out there just for safety

 

[tbonez3858]

I'm not sure I could disagree more. While I admit the Mustang or any RWD car is not the worlds best in snow and ice it is anything but white knuckling. I have lived in the Midwest almost all my life and have driven RWD cars in the winter for 30 years or more. I drove my 2011 in the winter. It is no 4x4 but with patience, skill, practice and some brains you'll do fine. Remember, for 100 years we have driven RWD cars in the snow and ice. You'll find in most cars, even my AWD Taurus, it's stopping and turning that's the issue more than acceleration and fish-tailing.
Also remember that Ford has built this car (any many before it) for a country of consumers half of which live in the snow belt. They wouldn't build a car that half of it's consumer base couldn't drive.

I don't doubt rear wheel cars can be managed effectively in the snow. If I had to choose between an awd vs something that required "patience, skill and practice" for 1/2 of the year guess which one I would choose? I "managed" riding a dirt bike in the snow but when it snows guess what my tool of choice is.... my 4 wheel drive utility atv with built in locker. If I take that same quad out of four wheel drive going up an icy hill guess what happens....I spin. Do I want to have that difference in daily driver? I personally don't but to each his/her own.

 

[Nitro]

I live in Michigan and have had 3 RWD cars (86 Mustang 5.0, 2007 Miata, 2013 FRS). As long as you have snow tires and a plowed driveway, there should be no issue. People are making a big deal for no reason. I got my Civic Si stuck more times than all my RWD cars put together.

I would probably stay away from the GT performance pack though because it will be expensive to get winter wheels/tires over those huge brakes.

 

[Steve-OO]

People are making a big deal for no reason.

Exactly. I would rather drive a Mustang with winter tires than anything with all-seasons.

 

[JoeDogInKC]

I will say this, I had a 2002 Focus. I can't remember the exact trim level, but it was just behind the SVT version. It was the WORST winter car I've ever had. Low profile tires on a light FWD car is no fun at all. I'd much rather have had a Mustang at the time.

That said, I think people are freaking because it's not just you that you need to worry about. Being able to have some control when another vehicle is out of control is of concern. I'm lucky in that I can work from home virtually all of the time, so I don't have to get out in it. If I didn't have that option, I'd probably want a beater just so I didn't have to worry about my nice Mustang getting in an accident in the snow.

 

[Tony Alonso]

So if you have your heart set on a mustang. I'd consider:

* get limited slip (upgrading from 1wd when slippery to 2wd).

A limited-slip differential is standard and has been for many years.

 

[GNS]

People drive their RWD BMWs in the snow, right? Some of these BMWs are pretty powerful, right? (M3, M4, M-badged 2 and 3 series)

So why is driving a Mustang / Mustang GT in the snow any different? (of course, assuming all aforementioned cars get a skinnier set of good snow tires on all 4 wheels)

 

[marjen]

Thanks for the answers. It would probably be ok and I will probably not let it be the deciding decision. I know how to drive in the snow and always slow down considerably based on the conditions. Like others have said I see so many idiots hauling ass in their ass in their SUVs only to see then in a ditch a couple miles up the road I have a pretty flexible work situation where working from home when its really bad out wont be an issue, its just really for those times you get caught off guard.

Still not 100% I am going to pick up a mustang but definitely thinking about it. I have a 2013 fusion AWD now, I wish they would come out will a killer performance version of that.

 

[Mark's M]

I live in western NY, I feel your pain. I ordered a 2015 GT anyway, fuck em.

Lol!!!

 

[MATT0404]

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

"Dude, you live in PA"

"Yeah i know :("

I hear that all the time, too. The confusion is compounded when I tell them I hope my little one's car seat isn't too troublesome.

I live in western NY, I feel your pain. I ordered a 2015 GT anyway, fuck em.

+1 though I won't be buying/ordering until next year.

People drive their RWD BMWs in the snow, right? Some of these BMWs are pretty powerful, right? (M3, M4, M-badged 2 and 3 series)

So why is driving a Mustang / Mustang GT in the snow any different? (of course, assuming all aforementioned cars get a skinnier set of good snow tires on all 4 wheels)

Tires, tires, tires...controlled inputs...and staying relaxed (i.e. not panicking at the edge of traction). I've had many different BMW's that I've daily driven through some tough NW PA winters. WS-60 Blizzaks on my e39 M5 made me completely comfortable in deep snow.

I've also had the pleasure of owning an Evo IX with LM-25 Blizzaks through one of the toughest winters I can remember. That thing was an absolute tank with 400 whp. Given the choice, AWD wins for winter but RWD with proper tires and a confident driver is very manageable, even in the deep stuff.

 

[Spartan]

That's why I'm keeping my 1999 Ford Explorere Sport for those really bad days here in DC/NOVA.

Otherwise, around here, snow is more rare (this last year was the exception) so the majority of the time it's just wet conditions here and the summer tires are even fine in winter for that.

 

[Blue_blur47]

Still haven't haven't ordered because of the head ache in the winter this machine will be as a daily driver.

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