Would you drive a Ferrari in the snow?

Its not a Lamborghini so hell no!.

 

If it's really bad no, but light snow I don't care. The Range Rover is TOO much fun in the snow.

 

Snow is one thing, salt is another. Once a car is bathed in salt spray, no matter how you try to clean it off, you cant, it gets in everywhere and it will destroy the car. Not if, when. And honestly, if you wrecked it your insurance company would probably think your daffy for having it out on slick roads. But as everyone likes to say, its your car, do what you want and just be careful.

As for me, thats what I bought a Jeep for. It goes through snow like a horse and I dont care if it rusts away. So no, no Ferrari in the snow for me.

 

I did get caught in the snow once, in New England, driving the 328 back from a service in winter.
For me, the main thing keeping the 328 off the roads in winter is temperatures. The summer tires are useless below 40F.

But it's funny you should ask about driving in the snow further south. I'm sitting here debating whether to telecommute or take the day off. The EVO is fine in New England snows -- But in snow country, the minivans know enough to stay off the roads in the snow. In DC, they don't.

 

I would consider a quick drive around the neighborhood to take some hard-to-get "Ferrari in the snow" pictures.
But I definitely would avoid the salted major roads in the car.

On snow days, I drive my Chevy Silverado 4x4 pick-up.
I know the salt isn't good for it, but I get a new truck every 10 years or so (before any rusting shows up in the lower body panels).
When it warms up a bit, I take it through one of those gas station car washes that sprays water up from underneath as you drive in.
It is critical to get as much of the salt off the bottom of the car as soon as possible.

We don't get many snow days in Northern Virignia, but agree with DGS, not many folks here know how to drive well in the snow (me included somewhat).

 

I don't know, I look at Alex's pictures of his 400i in NYC in the snow and say, why not? <grin>

Having used my Ferrari's as daily transportation, I have been caught in snow while at work or away and unless my tires were near new tread depth, the car was a little too much of a handful in questionable traction conditions. As far as ArtVonne's well-established salt paranoia (<grin> look where he lives), I don't see any serious problems in the post 2V-injected cars (post '83), especially driven in the Southeast. They like sand down here, not salt.

That said, I'm glad I have 4WD in the 'burb today. <grin>

 

Just remember: EVERYONE has four wheel brakes ... for all the good it does them in snow.

What gets critical in snow is all the things you'd want at the limit of traction in any machine -- good weight distribution, good friction circle.

In Massachusetts, the Jeep Wagoneers always got annoyed when they'd get blown past by a Celica ---- a Celica "GT-Four", like the one Carlos Sainz took to the '90 WRC championship. (While the Wagoneers have all the weight in the nose.)

Ever try to stop on snow, going down hill, in a nose heavy machine? The rear end tends to go into business for itself.

Of course, you try not to stop or go on hills, but when the car (or minivan) in front of you gets it wrong, you have to stop, too.

I used to drive a RWD Alfetta GT in MA in winter, without even bothering with snow tires. But the Alfetta had nearly a perfect 50/50 weight distribution, having a front engine and rear transbox (like the 550).

 

I was thinking of taking my out just for the hell of it. Thanks for the comment about the salt. Three inches this morning... 70s forecast for Saturday. Yee ha!

 

Took the MINI out this morning. Drove like a champ. It is a base non "S" model, and was absolutely fine.

 

Took the Mondial down the drive way at Truckee, when it had snow on it. Does that count?

Art

 

Yes it counts.

 

Gee, I drove my Alfetta Sedan and many, many GTV-6's in the New England and Southeast snow and they were awful! Probably because I insisted on keeping track-event optimal level tread on the tires. <grin>

That said, my lady's 944 Turbo with Blizzaks was awesome. I remember the NC Blizzard of '98 and driving to work at 45 mph passing State Troopers in the ditch in perfect security, having an A4 blast past me only to get caught in ruts and overcorrect. Off he went! I had fun waving through the open sunroof of the 944!

 

As long as roads are dry and clear,no problem for me.
With slippery conditions car is not driveable on Summer tires and there is always increased chance of being rear-ended by some soccer mom in her minivan.
I do drive it through the entire Chicago Winter ,at least 2-3 times a week with the above considerations.

 

I did it once as a novelty and to get some snow pictures...but aside from that there's really no point. My daily driver is the ultimate fun snow car, 400+ hp AWD STi. Woohoo! having a blast today...

 

in the snow my ferrari don't go

 

Why not? I did it several times without problems
Ciao
Eugenio

 

I brought #22641 home thru Yosemite and there was still plenty of snow on the upper passes......so I say "yes"..

I got some really nice pics somewhere, the metallic blue was majic against all the sunlight, and the sunset over Mono Lake......

*sigh*

I'd do all that again, brudda!

 

In Atlanta, they are parked in favor of Range Rovers and Merc G Wagens.

 

It's not a Ferrari, but I've had my RX-8 out in the snow. Not fun.

 

I wouldn't recommend it. I've been caught out in the snow in the 456, and it was better than I expected. I wouldn't have done it by choice, though.

 

Got caught last winter going through Mammoth Sonora passes in my 355 over Christmas, there was lots of ice and snow the 355 handled awesome was the fastest car on the road but all the sand and crap from other cars messed up my front spoiler and bumper the only reason to avoid it but if your caught in it no big.

 

I drove a GTV-6 in the snow and it was fine on handling. Of course, with the Eagle VRs on it, once it stopped on hard-pack, it didn't want to get going again.

I remember following a local cop in the snow. He had his lights going and was trying for all he was worth, while I was putting along in the Alfetta, waiting for him to get out of the way. I never understood why a Massachusetts town would saddle their cops with Impalas.

 

No, never drive in snow.
Most high speed tires are very dangerous in snow and warn against driving them in snow.