Considering GT350 for Daily Driver in Northeast

I don't think I would suggest this car for a daily driver in Pittsburgh for the winter. Sits way too low and I wouldn't count on any tire giving you much grip. I just feel you are asking for trouble
Mike

It would be fun but not very practical.

Michael P said:

I don't think I would suggest this car for a daily driver in Pittsburgh for the winter. Sits way too low and I wouldn't count on any tire giving you much grip. I just feel you are asking for trouble
Mike

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Are you citing low grip from any tire due to high hp / tq figures (anotherwards throttle mgmt) or is there a different reason specific to Mustangs. Just curious as I've never owned one before. Given the same winter tires, I was actually expecting it to handle a bit better in the snow than my BRZ given how much heavier it is.

you have such low ground clearance that I can't imagine attempting to drive in the snow no matter what tires. I have driven my 2011 BMW 335iS in the snow with good tires and it just plain sucks and is risky--and I have spent a lot of time on the track and skid pad. Drive your GT350 only on dry days with the factory tires--but be wary below 45 degrees as your tires will have markedly diminished grip in the cold and it will be tough to get temperature into the tires unless you were really driving it hard(like on the track). Regarding the hp/tq issues, that will be a problem even if you put the car in "rain" mode. I have had several Mustangs and they just aren't great winter cars. I would just encourage you not to do it as you are probably flirting with disappointment.

Mike

The torque out of this engine is fairly mild within the normal driving range, I don't think that would be the deciding factor with good snow tires. Again, the ground clearance would be an issue for any snow over 3-4" snowfall. Also, I would worry about the hills and inclines around Pitts.

Look at the pictures of the underside of the prototype display car at the Track Tour. There are lots of aero bits under the car that would be problematic in the snow. I believe this is also one of the reasons that car washes are not recommended.

Thanks for all the feedback guys.

Interesting... can you point me to where it says that car washes are not recommended for this car?

barstowpo said:

Look at the pictures of the underside of the prototype display car at the Track Tour. There are lots of aero bits under the car that would be problematic in the snow. I believe this is also one of the reasons that car washes are not recommended.

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Page 33 and 40 of the GT350 owners supplement.

I agree with barstowpo that the underbelly is a very significant factor. You get into any accumulation of snow and the underside will act as a toboggan and you will be skimming on the snow if you don't tear those parts off.

Regarding the owners manual--please everyone read it! You will learn about the position of the windshield wipers when doing maintenance, what the torque specs are for the lug nuts (150 lb-ft), don't use a drive thru car wash, what the alignment settings should be if you use the car on the track, etc.

Mike

barstowpo said:

Page 33 and 40 of the GT350 owners supplement.

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OK, so I looked this up, and it sounds like pure nonsense:

"Washing Your Vehicle
Do not drive your vehicle through an
automated, commercial car wash due to
the vehicle’s low ground clearance and tire
width."

My C6Z06 has about 2.5 inches of ground clearance (slammed on coilovers) and runs on 345s in the back and 295s in the front. Have been using automated car washes for years with no problems whatsoever. If there's a more scientific reasoning for this, I'd be really interested to know.

Let us all know how all this turns out

Mike

Just because you might be able to slap winter tires on it, you're gonna trash the car with salt, sand, chemicals...inside and out.
Get a winter beater if you must- consider it added cost to owning a GT350.

Michael P said:

I don't think I would suggest this car for a daily driver in Pittsburgh for the winter. Sits way too low and I wouldn't count on any tire giving you much grip. I just feel you are asking for trouble
Mike

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THIS. I grew up in Pittsburgh. The GT350 will be great three seasons out of the year, but when the snow flies, you want a winter car that you are willing to sacrifice to the road salt.

A WRX wagon with performance snows, if you can afford one as a second car, is a damned amazing winter ride. I had a 2008 when I lived there, shod with Dunlop Wintersport 3Ds. I-79 with inches of snow on it was like driving on dry pavement, and other cars were rolling chicanes.

It IS an awesome car, but for the reasons cited above, I'd get a beater for the snowy days and keep this one for good weather. Once you've driven it in good weather, you'll understand...good luck!

r u nuts
don't drive when road has salt
never drive in snow
I drive mine 9 out 12 months/year
daily driver lots of fun
best with good roads

blckzed06 said:

OK, so I looked this up, and it sounds like pure nonsense:

"Washing Your Vehicle
Do not drive your vehicle through an
automated, commercial car wash due to
the vehicle’s low ground clearance and tire
width."

My C6Z06 has about 2.5 inches of ground clearance (slammed on coilovers) and runs on 345s in the back and 295s in the front. Have been using automated car washes for years with no problems whatsoever. If there's a more scientific reasoning for this, I'd be really interested to know.

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To add to what you said, I agree with you. I wouldn't put the GT350 in a regular car wash. I would look for a touchless car wash and it will be just fine.

I agree with what others have said. The car is way too low for snow travel. Get it, but not as a daily in the winter. I don't daily mine at all. If you have to, get something cheaper and more appropriate for the weather and keep the gt350 garaged.

NoXiDe said:

To add to what you said, I agree with you. I wouldn't put the GT350 in a regular car wash. I would look for a touchless car wash and it will be just fine.

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There is a full service car wash near me that specializes in high end cars. I take my '18 GT350 there on a regular basis. I haven't had any problems. The spliter clears by about an inch and the tires by a couple of inches. They always double check to make sure it clears/fits and follow it as it goes through.

madlag said:

I agree with what others have said. The car is way too low for snow travel. Get it, but not as a daily in the winter. I don't daily mine at all. If you have to, get something cheaper and more appropriate for the weather and keep the gt350 garaged.

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Have you seen "Auto Fanatic" on Youtube drive his GT350 through the snow?