I am picking up my first Lexus, a 1996 SC300 this week, and I wanted to know how it will handle the winter driving if any of you have any experience. -Dave


P.S. - That's winter in Boston, hahah, just to avoid any confusion.

 

Get yourself a nice set of winter tires. Don't SKIMP... I have a 92 sc400 with ABS and Trac and on all seasons that thing just flies around in the snow. I don't know which comp systems you have but it will probably handle like mine. Get the tires

 

Speaking from experience (I've driven an SC400 in Boston for 5 years now):

Get the nice winter tires, but for God's sake take it easy when it's snowing out! This car is just not good in the snow (rear wheel drive).

I put about 120 lbs. of sand in the trunk now and that seems to help.

I totalled my old SC400 last year in a storm, was going about 27mph and that was just too fast!

Good luck!

 

I'll sell you a set of Blizzacks with 80-90% tread and stock rims if you want.

Up here in Minnesota when it snows I leave the SC in the garage and drive my Audi quatro (with Hakkapolita NRW hign performance snows).

I never used the Blizacks on the SC, I used all-season in the winter, but they were mediocre at best. What ever you do don't try high performance summer tires in the winter. This year I'm getting Hakkapolita's for the SC.

Even though I have the Blizzacks for sale I'd strongly recommend the Hakkapolita NRW's (by Nokian). From Finland, good in the snow and good on dry pavement.

In any event I agree with Whitmanpc1, take it easy. The SC is not very good in the snow

Jon

 

all i have to say about the SC in snow is WEEEEEEEEEEEEE

 

well i will have to get some cheap rims and tires, and hope for two things:

1) traction control to work great, and
2) Boston public works to be REEEEAAAALLL fast.

 

my sc300 spun out on the highway going 65 in the winter this year...no damage to the car but i did a 540 first turning into traffic or a big a$$ semi truck, then slid into the grass...not really made for the winter at all.