Miata on snow and icy roads?
ALYSONSDAD
once about every three or four years and it is about time. Should I park the
Miata and go in the civic? Thanks
Nick Horianopoulos
During those storms, yes -- not because you are driving a dangerous car, but
more because so many southerners haven't the slightest clue on how to drive in
snow, and those automotive peasants might wreck your baby.
--
Niko
They can have my Miata when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers!
http://www.concentric.net/~Greek/
If you're gonna e-mail me, you gotta rip off the "K" in "Koncentric" and change
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Tom Barnes
enough that the chassis starts to scrape) PROVIDED you have good winter
tires installed. I have more confidence in my manual trans, RWD Miata
that the wife's auto trans, FWD Saturn.
Staying off the road completely sounds like the best course if you live
where wintry road conditions are infrequent, though.
Tom
Jim Murphy
>Staying off the road completely sounds like the best course if you live
>where wintry road conditions are infrequent, though.
Yup, seconded. Trust no one.
However, if you're in an area with lots of frequent snow, the Miata can be
lots of fun. I've had my '91 up to the Lake Tahoe area a bunch of times
for snowboarding trips. Last season I put about 100 miles on it with
chains on, and I had no problems (other than having to un-bury it a few
times). I did cheat a bit by following around a friend who has a Land
Rover Defender 90. :-)
Jim Murphy Mac OS Release Engineering/MacsBug
murph@apple Apple Computer, Inc.
Jim Stuyck
>How is the Miata on snowy and icy roads? Here in Alabama we get snow and ice
>once about every three or four years and it is about time. Should I park the
>Miata and go in the civic? Thanks
Yeah, that's one plan. Another plan -- this one I use in the Dallas/Fort Worth
area where we get infrequent snow and ice -- is to stay at home no matter
which vehicle is available. I'm convinced that so few in this climate know
how to drive in snow/ice that it's not worth the risk.
Actually, the Miata doesn't handle well at all in snow/ice (very few vehicles
handle well in ice). So, since nearly every other vehicle on the road outweighs
the Miata, the odds are stacked against us.
Jim Stuyck
John D. Ford
The miata is a more competent winter car (in most conditions) than
many other cars since it has 50/50 weight distribution.
However, without proper snow tires it isn't fit to do a run around the
block. I doubt you're going to put snow tires on for an average of
less than one day a year. The most difficult conditions for snow
is when the temperature is around freezing which is probably
the only snow conditions you will have.
Ironically, summer tires work fairly well once the temperature drops
below -20C as traction increases. (Clear road conditions - no snow)
I use an AWD Subaru for the winter just to save my miata from the
salt. The only conditions we have here which the miata would not work
well in is where you have two to three feet of snow on the road.
(Assuming the use of a good snow tire)
The lack of ground clearance will be a problem.
On 15 Sep 1998 23:22:44 GMT, alyso...@aol.com (ALYSONSDAD) wrote:
> How is the Miata on snowy and icy roads? Here in Alabama we get snow and ice
> once about every three or four years and it is about time. Should I park the
> Miata and go in the civic? Thanks
John D. Ford
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Remove SPAM and convert DOT
Lanny Chambers
jdfordNOSPAM@freenetDOTcarletonDOTca wrote:
>However, without proper snow tires it isn't fit to do a run around the
>block. I doubt you're going to put snow tires on for an average of
>less than one day a year.
Just so. Reality check time: for the price of winter tires and wheels, you
can ride a lot of cabs to work. Just as you can rent a large car when
relatives visit, or a truck when you have to move something. Use the right
tool for the job.
--
---
Lanny Chambers (la...@derived.com) St. Louis, USA
Visit the Hummingbird Page: <http://www.derived.com/hummers/>
W. Munro
performer in inclement conditions. I had to use mine in the last Atlanta
blizzard and I was surprised at how very well it went.
However, don't risk your Miata with with the other fools on the road if you
can avoid it. By all means sitck that Civic out there if you have to.
Losing a Civic is no big deal. Better idea: Stay home, but have your wife
call in and ask if you've arrived yet..
Good luck
ALYSONSDAD <alyso...@aol.com> wrote in article
<199809152322...@ladder03.news.aol.com>...
Two00mph
The advise from Ontario is excellent, and I (a near life-long New Englander)
concur.
Also, in snow, a NARROW tire has much better grip than a wide one... for the
same reason snowshoes work. A wider tire distributes weight and available
traction across a larger area, making the tire float across the surface instead
of biting through it. Same reason a snowmobiles skis are narrow and track is
wide.
So put your stock steelies on the car and narrow tires with aggressive tread,
and have fun.... because the Miata is well balanced, it resists the temptation
to rotate (Mustang. Camaro, etc) or plow (any FWD car), and you can have a lot
of fun on slippery surfaces.
Donald DiPaula
ALYSONSDAD <alyso...@aol.com> wrote:
!How is the Miata on snowy and icy roads? Here in Alabama we get snow and ice
!once about every three or four years and it is about time. Should I park the
!Miata and go in the civic? Thanks
1) you rarely get snow/ice
2) you have another (front-wheel-drive) car available for those situations.
sounds like it shouldn't be a major concern for you. get the car that'll
keep you happy 999 days out of 1000.
-D-
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Nik Simpson
ALYSONSDAD wrote in message
<199809152322...@ladder03.news.aol.com>...
>How is the Miata on snowy and icy roads? Here in Alabama we get snow and
ice
the
I live in Huntsville Al, I used to drive it all year round, March 1993
really cured me. The ruts left in the snow by other cars were so deep I
almost ran aground :-0 Actually if you know what you are doing and can
ignore the imminent peril of being mistaken for a bump road by an F150, then
its quite fun to drive the Miata in snow, you know exactly what it's going
to do, usually before it does it :-)
--
Nik Simpson
Dave Christian
It SUCKS on icy roads. BIG time! I couldn't even get it out
of my driveway a couple of winters ago.
But I wouldn't trade it for any other car!
Definitely take the Civic.
In article <199809152322...@ladder03.news.aol.com>,
alyso...@aol.com says...
> How is the Miata on snowy and icy roads? Here in Alabama we get snow and ice
> once about every three or four years and it is about time. Should I park the
> Miata and go in the civic? Thanks
>
--
Dave Christian
To email me, change my domain name to what's right.
You're smart, you figure it out.
I am not one of the following "things"...
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Alan K. Young
right tires, but is light especially with the normal sorta wide tires.
I'd take the civic. By the way, I think the Miata would be good on cold,
packed snow as long as the bottom doesn't drag, but when we have more
black ice and ice/slush/snow mixes the car with more weight on the drive
wheels (and narrower tires) will do better.
All non-southerners' protests aside, it is far more dangerous and
difficult to drive on 1/64" of ice than the heavier snows that are
common up north and in the midwest. 4-wheel drive, size, skill, nothing
helps much when the coefficient of friction is approaching zero.
Alan
LariClan
>Subject: Re: Miata on snow and icy roads?
>From: ANTIdave...@ANTImindspringSPAM.edu (Dave Christian)
>Date: 9/16/98 11:55 PM Eastern Daylight Time
>Message-id: <MPG.106a5250a...@news.mindspring.com>
>
>
>It SUCKS on icy roads. BIG time! I couldn't even get it out
>of my driveway a couple of winters ago.
>
>But I wouldn't trade it for any other car!
>
>Definitely take the Civic.
>
>
>In article <199809152322...@ladder03.news.aol.com>,
>alyso...@aol.com says...
>ice
>> once about every three or four years and it is about time. Should I park
>the
>> Miata and go in the civic? Thanks
>>
>
>Dave Christian
>
Perhaps someone has already offered this solution, but if you drive your Miata
backwards, that might work in icy weather. It'll make it front-wheel drive. :
)
Really, though, I've never tried them, but maybe a set of tires like
Bridgestone's Blizzak might help somewhat?
Darrell Dacus
second guess just why you bought this car in the first place (especially if
you have a LSD). Snow tires on all 4's will help I've read. Honestly, take
the Civic...it's less expensive to repair when you hit that curb, or better
yet, when that Californian slides into you! If you are really insistant,
here's some good news - the frist snow of Oct '97 dropped about 30" and an
out of control '78 Corvette passed me....
Nicholas K Tulach
: All non-southerners' protests aside, it is far more dangerous and
: difficult to drive on 1/64" of ice than the heavier snows that are
: common up north and in the midwest. 4-wheel drive, size, skill, nothing
: helps much when the coefficient of friction is approaching zero.
: Alan
The only actual excuse southerners have as to why it is more dangerous is that
their isn't a salt budget for the local governments down there, so the road ice
up more frequently then up here. Salt does wonders for traction, but Miata-no-
likey.
;)
Nick
'99 TBM
slowcarfasterbike
>Perhaps someone has already offered this solution, but if you drive your Miata
>backwards, that might work in icy weather. It'll make it front-wheel drive. :
>)
I know that was a joke, but it was pretty silly nonetheless. The key
to FWD is not that the driving wheels are in front, but that the
weight of the engine is over the driving wheels.
For the best snow driving experience, VW Bugs make awesome vehicles!
Tail out, and still really in control.
>
>Really, though, I've never tried them, but maybe a set of tires like
>Bridgestone's Blizzak might help somewhat?
Not for the original poster. Original poster asked about the one day
in 1000 that they get snow. If that is the case, then I still
recommend taking alternate methods to get to work since no one in the
south knows how to drive (even former northerners forget).
BTW, I live in CT where we get a good deal of snow, and I drive the
Miata year round with dunlop D60A2's - not snow tires. Car is
slippery, but not uncontrollable.
Stuart
Slowcarfasterbike
aka stuar...@geocities.com
93 Passat GLX, 93 Mazda Miata
DoD #2057 (Denizens of Doom)
VPOG #1 (Volkswagen Passat Owners Group)
AAAAA #147 (American Association Against Acronym Abuse
David Clarke
fine in winters if:
A) You have a competent driver who is used to winter driving.
B) You have *four* good-quality snow tires.
Making comparisons to autox, a 'crappy' driver will make even the best
of cars seem slow and heavy. Same holds true for winter driving. A
driver who isn't used to driving in snow/slush/ice will find *any* car
less than useless in these conditions. The Miata is no exception.
In my somewhat limited driving life, I have gone through 8 Canadian
winters and I can personally attest to the fact that the Miata, when
equipped with 4 high-quality snows, will easily out perform most FWD
cars out there. It's partly due to 50/50 weight distribution, but 75%
of it is a direct result of having the right tires for the right
conditions.
Richard Deckker made a great point when he said that the Miata is a
fantastic car and should really be enjoyed year round.
David
'90 White--who is putting on snows in about 6 weeks.
TeamEuroMeko
you know I spend almost every other week off road in my rig slipping and
sliding through mud and such.
___________________________________________
EazyPc Solutions - Computer Support For The SOHO
http://home1.gte.net/euromeko - euro...@gte.net
Darrell Dacus wrote in message................
Jim Stuyck
>With all due respect to those who think otherwise, the Miata is just
>fine in winters if:
>
>A) You have a competent driver who is used to winter driving.
>B) You have *four* good-quality snow tires.
>
Of course, the original question dealt with:
A) Driver(s) in the South, NOT "used to winter driving."
B) One day out of, say, 1000, which makes purchase of "*four*
good-quality snow tires" impractical (dumb, not cost effective).
Other than that, well maybe the Miata is good on snow (but ice???).
My "sun belt" advice remains: Stay home.
Jim Stuyck
scottsc...@my-dejanews.com
I assume that I'm going to need a new set of tires before my lease ends, so I
justify my snows as tires I need to buy sooner or later.
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Leon van Dommelen
>Miata's and snow don't mix well. They will go, but you will slip, slide and
>second guess just why you bought this car in the first place (especially if
>you have a LSD). Snow tires on all 4's will help I've read. Honestly, take
>the Civic...it's less expensive to repair when you hit that curb,
Why? I remember from my 86 CRX Si that Honda part prices were excessive
all over the board.
Leon
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veb...@remove.auticon.no
(Leon van Dommelen) wrote:
>"Darrell Dacus" <darrel...@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>
>>Miata's and snow don't mix well. They will go, but you will slip, slide and
>>second guess just why you bought this car in the first place (especially if
>>you have a LSD). Snow tires on all 4's will help I've read. Honestly, take
>>the Civic...it's less expensive to repair when you hit that curb,
>
*WRONG!!!*
Miatas and snow make a perfect mix - at least in my book!!
Last winter I enjoyed my Miata all through the winter - with the HT
on, the LSD in full action - and four spikeless winter-tires.
Nothing is more fun than to stop behind a Volvo stuck in the middle of
a hill-climb, then backup a little, and drive by him/her......
NOBODY expects the Miata to be good to drive in the winter, but I've
have to say, after driving FWD cars the last five years: NOW it's fun
to drive in the winter again!!!!
(And, yess - we have a lot of it, herer in Trondheim, Norway - the
snow normally comes around the end of October, and stays to about
March/April. So - during those months, it's "bye-bye" to the Softtop
and the 195/50-15 w/TSW Stealth rims - and back to the
originals.......)
Actually, I wouldn't mind if winter forgot us this year..... :-)
Regards,
Vebjoern - '91 Red - driving to work with the top down today.......