New ZL1 - how many have kept the Goodyears and driven through a mild winter?

[harmonyp]

Requesting more input on whether or not I'm likely to survive the rest of the Northern California winter with the default Goodyears on my brand new ZL1. Interested in hearing from folks that actually have kept the Goodyears, and can confirm they've made it!

Driving temperatures will not go below 30 degrees. Snow - NEVER. I'm guessing I could have from one to three weeks max, where temps would be in the 30's in the a.m. Once we hit March, won't see below 45 degree temps until next Winter.

I don't want to die, but I also want to avoid another $1500 cash output. I can and would drive very carefully during the cold snaps and rain. I know what the recommendations are.

Thanks for your feedback.

[el ess A]

Chance it if you like. It's your car.

Personally, I'd spend 1500 on a beater and just park the ZL1 until warmer weather.

[wirebender]

Knock on wood...has been fine here with prudent caution over 2 winter. I don't even attempt if there's snow.

[mlee]

I'm on my 2nd set of Goodyears.

Always use your PTM2 to keep things in check. Two quick taps and no more spinning.

[ZO6 Bryan]

I've driven mine in 3 winters now in Tennessee. We get some snow here but only rarely. We dipped down in the single digits a couple weeks ago and I didn't take it out in that weather. I wouldn't drive my ZL1 in the snow but I don't hesitate taking it out in 30 deg weather. Some of you all need to stop being such pansies about winter driving.
If your weather gets down into the teens you might want to drive something else that day.

[RLHMARINES]

I drive mine thru mild winters here in coastal Ga with the stock tires and as long as you took precautions and listen to what the car is doing it should be more than ok. I have pilot super sports on now and they are much more forgiving in the cold and rain but the f1's now are in the garage ready for track days.

[ZL1_TA]

Use PTM 1 for the rest of this winter or drive carefully, I have scared myself a few times when forgetting to take it easy which will happen... we bought these cars to drive and stock tires do not allow this in the cold. As soon as you get 10k on the stock tires switch to MPSS and don't look back. They make a huge difference in the cold which is anything below 70 from the perspective of the GYs. I even get decent traction when it's wet and cold compared to almost no traction at all in the GYs. I also live in the bay area.

[jwl013]

I've been driving mine though this alabama winter. Many 20* days, as long as you kick it down and know your car, you won't have a problem.

[hognutz]

I did but if I had it to do over again I would drive right from delivery to the tire shop and have the tires swapped out and sell the goodyears as new.

short story long I never had and issue. my wife looped it out once on on onramp entering I-5. the real issue is once the temp is below 45 at all it get sketchy in a hurry.

I took delivery in july they seemed fine but I new by october I had scewed up and should have sold them or kept them for track only duty.

[Red Hot ZL1]

I've driven mine as a DD for one-year in Florida winters (this being the 2nd) with the original tires (13K) and have had no unusual issues. Rain? Slow down. Snow? What's that?

[jayno20]

I never drove the Camaro in the snow, but I drove my previous car (370z) with summer tires on it and it was a disaster. I am not talking about just driving while its cold. I am talking about driving with some snow on the ground.

3 winters ago in PA there was maybe 2 inches on the road and that Z was a freaking sled. I had next to no control over it and almost wrecked it a few times before I just pulled over and waited for the plow trucks. It was because of that winter that I got snow tires the next year on the 370z. I was never a huge believer in tires making a big difference, but let me just tell you... After putting winter tires on that 370z it was one of the BEST cars I have ever driven in the snow. It is amazing the difference those tires made.

With all that being said, it also DESTROYED the bottom of my 370z. All the salt, rocks, and moisture from winter here in PA made that car look like it was from the early 90's. I'd never again drive a sports car in the winter, not in this state anyway.

[Todd in Vancouver]

I've found that I just had to be hyper sensitive using the throttle when cold out and even at freeway speeds it was easy to get squirming along the freeway. In all honesty it was taking the fun out of driving the var because I just felt I couldn't relax while driving as it didn't stop or accel as well so I purchased other tires and rims but I also knew I would need snow tires as well. But, what I found was I was changing overnto my snows earlier and getting off the GY sooner as the cold approached.

As an option you could take off the GY and sell them and then buy a set of tires that are more capable in the cold and wet weather but still hook up for you in the Summer. Maybe a set of PSS.

[CAM....ZL1]

Illinois here and it gets cold. I do not drive it in temps below 25, or with snow or salt on the roads. Second set of GY's and have had no problems, I just drive with common sense. When is cold just keep your foot out of it and you will be fine.

[Jeb114]

Got rid of those tires 2 days after I purchased the car. If the cold don't get you the wet will. Changed to Mickey Thompson tires all those problems went away...