As with all cars, front or rear drive. You should know how to rock the car (gently) to get out of the snow. If my SC400 can't get out of the snow then the Civic can get out either its all about how much snow on the ground. Sure the Civic can pass you on the road but he doesn't have to pay as much when he hit something. I rather drive at a speed I can control. Even if you have full coverage, you still pay $500 deductible don't you.

 

Voice of experience (92 SC$ with 325K) agrees: "Snow tires and put some heavy stuff in the trunk"

I had never bought snow tires in my life, but the sofeter compund really works.

I kept my old wheels and tires (including snows) for a winter set.

 

The other day I was helping a friend (1loudlex from here) to replace his brake pads and rotors. Since it was really cold and snow was everywhere we had to pull my car out of the garadge to make some space. So, here I am driving out of the garadge to the snow covered drive way. No biggie, right? I hit the brakes and the car is still moving. I am like, wtf? The brakes don't work? So I hit the gas a littlebit because I am going down the drive way streight to the street. The car starts shaking and turning to the right. Then I see the trac light coming on. Yep, I was sliding down the drive way. So somehow I managed to stop when I got to the sidewalk. Turned off the trac and attempted to move up a little, but the only thing that's moving is the rear tires.

Chris

PS. I have 17/40/255 ZR rated tires in the rear at the moment. No snow tires!

 

lol

 

I was thinking of getting snow tires, but can't decide between the Dunlop Winter Sport M2's and the Michellin Arctic-Alpins. Anybody have a suggestion? Also, I was thinking of just getting 2 snow tires and putting them on the rear (as this is what slides most of the time and doesn't grab). Is this an okay to good idea? I figure 2 snow tires in the back are better than none...right?

Thanks!

 

Check on tirerack.com and the back of car magazine to buy a set of snow tires & rims. You don't want to keep changing tire every spring and fall do you? The snow tires and rims are good if you have to drive the car on more than 3" of snow. I use my 4 season tires on the car and drive it all year round. When there too much snow on the road, I don't drive the car anyway. I'll wait until the roads are clear...

Think about this, how much money do you make on the snow day when you have to pay at least $500 deductable if you hit something or they hit you...plus the rate goes up no matter what...

I'll stay home when it's snow a lot from now on. Save on my insurance and stress on the long run

 

im the guy with the 89 civic HB flying by all the lexus's that are stuck in ths snow!!! Sure beats risking rust on my lexus.

I drove the lexus in the snow last year when it was stock. i dont want to be plowing the street with the front end of my kit this year. :eek:

So i picked up the civic for cheap! i recommend it to all CL members cause i laugh when i see porsche, AMG MB's, and corvettes covered in SALT!!! and not moving in the snow!! LOL

Kevin

 

Some Porshes are AWD, so the joke is on you. Then again, what fool would take out their AWD Porshe in winter?

Chris

PS. I do not consider Boxster a Porshe.

 

I don't think I've heard of such a thing,.... (j/k )


I am anti-snow,... I've never been stuck cuz if it's deep, I ain't goin' nowhere! Job will just have to be mad with me.

 

I can tell you based on my many years driving the SC300 (I'm on my 3rd one), it is a fine car for nice weather. However, if the weather gets nasty in the winter like here in Indiana, it is a whole different story even with snow tires. It can handle snow up to about 2 inches but anymore than that, it has a real problem. The low ground clearance creates a significant problem when the snow is say deeper than 3 inches. The SC is probably no worse than driving a Mustang or Camero where both have RWD. Worst I found is trying to turn in center turning lane where the plowed snow is generally much higher. I've been stuck in snow a number of times (make sure your AAA membership is current because you'll need it).

After the first winter driving the SC without snow tires, I decided to switch to snow tires the second winter. It gave more bite but again they are useless in deeper snow. The other problem with snow tires is they ruin the nice SC Lexus ride and generates much higher tire noise on the road while cruising on highway (they also wear out much faster than normal tires). The fact that I have to travel regularly to neighboring state like Illinois, the snow tires became a nuisance (noise and harsh ride). I finally got smart and I bought an ES300 for my all weather driving and save the SC for nice weather only.

If the SC is your only automobile and you live in the snow region like I do, you have a problem. The SC is simply not cut out to be an all weather car. It's best to have a second car (say a used Civic or Corolla) just to get around the winter months. My wife drove a SC also for a year and got rid of it the next year because she got scarced of it during winter weather when she lost it several times. She got a RX300 instead which she loves. FYI, my son drives a BMW and is a graduate student at Purdue. He says his BMW handles poorly in the snow so he just leaves his car in the parking garage in the winter months and takes the bus instead to avoid wrecking his car. I personally feel the ES300 or the RX300 is the better choice if you can only afford one Lexus because they can handle all weather. Besides they can store a lot more stuff in the trunk than the SC.