Miata + snow = ?

[aknapp]

How bad (or good) would a 1st gen Miata be in the snow? Good snow or a/s tires and extra weight in the trunk. I'm talking a maximum 2-4 inches of snow.

[tcar]

IF it has limited slip diff, bag of sand in the trunk and all-weather tires, it does ok.

Limited slip is important. Not all Miatas had it. You can send the VIN to Mazda USA online and they can tell you if the car has it. Takes a couple days.

[wludavid]

From what I understand, miatas do great with a little extra weight and snow tires. That is, until the snow gets to the bumper. Then all bets are off. In Richmond, that wouldn't often be a problem.

[aknapp]

Originally posted by wludavid
From what I understand, miatas do great with a little extra weight and snow tires. That is, until the snow gets to the bumper. Then all bets are off. In Richmond, that wouldn't often be a problem.

Yeah, I grew up in MN, and I've had my share of driving in snow that deep, though it's much easier (and more fun!) in a 4x4. Now, I'd rather stay home if it snows more than 3 or 4 inches.

I am moving soon to the Chicago area, and I have a lead on a 1st-year Miata that has been recently refreshed (timing belt service, new shocks, new top, etc.) for a decent price. I'd rather not drive the Carrera in the snow.

[azasadny]

Put some Blizzaks on it and you'll be OK. My best friend drives a Miata year-round and he doesn't have any troulbe here in MI.

[ZOO]

I think a Miata with a hardtop and good snows would be a ton of fun in the snow

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by azasadny
Put some Blizzaks on it and you'll be OK. My best friend drives a Miata year-round and he doesn't have any troulbe here in MI.

+1

There is a local fellah who drives a miata year round. He loves it, and says it's loads of fun until the snow is so deep the car gets hung up. As far as I know he doesn't use any weight in the rear, but he does have Blizzaks.

[}{arlequin]

dedicated snows... if you can, avoid the blizzaks**, and 2 bags of cement in the trunk. you will pass quattros...



**i have both and compared to the pirelli's the blizzaks umm... 'underperform', to put it mildly.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally posted by }{arlequin
you will pass quattros...

Only if my wife is at the wheel

[}{arlequin]

well yeah, i'm not counting those occasional track-rats w/ snows on a quattro/scooby etc, but rather the average all-season tire'd audi that's on the road... but still, it looks funny when you do it

[Tim Hancock]

Originally posted by }{arlequin
well yeah, i'm not counting those occasional track-rats w/ snows on a quattro/scooby etc, but rather the average all-season tire'd audi that's on the road... but still, it looks funny when you do it

I admit to being a maniac on snow, it is juvenile, I know, I cannot help myself no matter what car I am in.......m u s t t e s t l i m i t s.

[}{arlequin]

LOL, i'm the same

[bigchillcar]

a carrera 4 is fun, too.

(New car) Huge thanks to Denver Pelican Jeremy (Gogar)! (pics)

[BrokeMyCar]

Does great - couple years ago I slapped on some all-seasons, loaded the trunk with luggage and went driving around washington, B.C., wyoming, yellowstone, etc... I took it pretty easy on really icy roads, but in general felt very comfortable. You do get lots of funny looks in Montana though...




Last year I gave the car to my dad, and he drives it all-year in the relatively mild (but sometimes snowy) Vancouver winters.

[masraum]

And then you can get a set of Ground Controls which give you height adjustment. In 30-60 minutes you can raise or lower the car to your hearts content. Jack the thing up in the air for snow and lower it when the snow is gone.

[aknapp]

Originally posted by masraum
And then you can get a set of Ground Controls which give you height adjustment. In 30-60 minutes you can raise or lower the car to your hearts content. Jack the thing up in the air for snow and lower it when the snow is gone.

That thought has crossed my mind.

Thanx for all the replies.

The car in question is a 1990 model. I've come across this article on miata.net (dated several years ago, FWIW) that indicates a fairly serious potential problem with the 1990 and early 1991 crank, known as the "short-nose crank" syndrome. Anyone with 1st- or 2nd-hand experience with this issue would be appreciated. PM me if you prefer.

There is WAAAAAY too much Miata info on the 'net for one night. I'm going to bed now.

[ZOO]

The car in question is a 1990 model. I've come across this article on miata.net (dated several years ago, FWIW) that indicates a fairly serious potential problem with the 1990 and early 1991 crank, known as the "short-nose crank" syndrome. Anyone with 1st- or 2nd-hand experience with this issue would be appreciated. PM me if you prefer.

Both of ours "were" short-nose cars. One actually succumbed to it -- and it was dramatic and quick when it went south. The other never had a lick of problems with the short-nose, but I ended up installing a later 1.8 engine in lieu of a head replacement.

Miata engines are cheap and easy to swap. The short-nose wouldn't keep me from buying a car, as it is relatively easy to prevent with care and diligence. There is even a fix for a damaged crank.

For what it's worth, if the crank pulley has 8 slots, the car is not a short-nose, but if it has four it is.

[}{arlequin]

if you have ground control or any other coilovers on the car, i doubt you'll want to disturb your settings just to get it to sit an inch or 2 higher.... much easier to just get 55 or 60 profile snows which would also raise your car.

for *most* types of snow driving you'll be fine w/ the clearance.... you'll get in trouble trying to leap over snowbanks, but then again, this isn't a land rover defender either. just know the limitations.

[aknapp]

ZOOMiata, just the type of info I was hoping for - thanx!

The first winter I had my NX2000, I drove home from work with about 4 inches of snow on the ground...on the original Bridgestone RE71's! I can't believe I made that drive with damage to me, the car or anything else, though I did perform 2 unintentional but rather graceful 360's!