Does the 2005+ go in the snow?

[Two Wheel Peel]

Hi guys. I was just wondering if anyone knows or has heard of how well these cars handle in winter driving conditions.
The reason I'm asking is because I own a 2001GT that I've used over the years as just a toy on nice days. I aslo have a 94 Cadillac Deville that I bought cheap off of my father as a daily driver. It's front wheel drive and works great in the snow.
The problem is that My Cadillac needs to be replaced. It's getting old and needs work.
I'm getting tired of reparing, fueling, and insuring two vehicles.
I understand that the new GT is almost 50/50 weight balanced. I hear that they have an improved traction controll, and come with a good all season tire.
With those things being said, I would think the car actually can be used as a real daily driver. Please chime in with your thoughts or experience.

 

[Fourth Horseman]

With those things being said, I would think the car actually can be used as a real daily driver. Please chime in with your thoughts or experience.

Not a Mustang owner myself (yet), so take this for what it's worth, but I've been driving high horsepower/torque rear-drive cars my whole life and it's my opinion that driving in the snow is 95% driver and only 5% car.

Keep good tires on your car and manage your vehicle's energy state intelligently based on the conditions you're in and you should be fine.

 

[fin1]

As Fourth Horseman stated... a large part of it is driver and tires. The 05 handles well in the snow with the stock tires or good all-season set. Last winter I only had one challenge up a steep snowy hill and I just powered it up about walking speed with tcs off. It was actually a bit fun.

 

[Kyle F]

Mustang+Snow=

Seriously... if you get a lot of snow and absolutely have to get places... go ahead and get the stang, but get you an older POS Escort that runs to get around in the snow. The FWD will eliminate a lot of the driver error.

If you just get a few days with snow... where it is all mostly gone by noon... the stang will be fine.

 

[The Fang]

Put a couple of bags of snd mix in the trunk and you'll be good to go!

 

[Mossberg]

Winter stang driving is doable as long as you don't put POS Kuhmo tires on it.

Thus, I will be storing mine.

 

[TGJ]

Look at the pics in my sig. When I got my 05, I was forced to drive it home in the snow. I did drive it a bit initially. Now I will comment on this, the 05 GT 5 spd manual with stock tires was better in the snow than the 96 TBird with 4 spd auto and 4 winter tires. This winter, I have a 4X4 so no worries. That said, you should be fine, if need be add 4 good winter tires and you should be good to go.

 

[MCMustangMan]

I live in the Detroit, Michigan area and I just acquired four of the most aggressive snow tires I could find and placed them on my stock rims and will be putting them on in about a month or so. Anyways, my experience with mustangs and snow have all been with the '87-93 variety and it really sucked! I have did 360s twice in them on black ice and nearly killed myself one sunday morning. With the traction control and anti-lock brakes and better weight ratio my suggestion is to get four (not two) aggressive snow tires (I heard Blizzaks work the best, but are expensive), I picked up four on ebay (two dunlops new and two firestone used) for under $200 and I plan on putting about 200 pounds of sand in the trunk to keep the rear axle down on the pavement and I think I will be fine. Watch the corners though, that is where you will lose traction and feel like you are in a merry-go-round. Also, watch the people in front of you as sometimes in heavy snow/ice situations idiots don't always give themselves enough time to stop and if you happen to be behind one you might not have enough time to stop, so a wide berth is especially suggested in the white stuff. Hope this helps as i have about 30 years experience in the stuff!

 

[wbstanggt]

driving in the snow with RWD no problem... remember we can go in REVERSE also. It may look stupid, but it's a heck of a lot easier then trying to go uphill at a snails pace on ice.

 

[hamidlmt]

My 05 hasn't seen snow... but, I used to put concrete cylinders in the trunk of my '68 coupe in the snow and ice. That, combined with some studded tires made for a very safe ride. But, I agree with the rest... it's mostly in the driver. Take it slow, go easy on the gas and brakes... just take your time and you'll be dandy!

 

[Blakthorn]

it seems like everyone who owns a stang has a 2nd car for bad weather, i usually daily drive mine all the time...im looking for a beater though

 

[born2run74]

it seems like everyone who owns a stang has a 2nd car for bad weather, i usually daily drive mine all the time...im looking for a beater though

I drove my GT stick last winter for 2 weeks in snow/ice covered streets. We don't get too much winter weather up here, relatively speaking. I put 100 lbs of sand bags in the trunk, turned TCS on and just TOOK IT EASY. It seemed to work fairly good, even with the P Zero Nero stock tires. Make sure no one tailgates you, and don't tailgate yourself. The road crews don't use salt here, just sand.

This summer I picked up a "beater" 4x4 ranger so next time there's snow and ice the Stang will be kept in the garage!!

 

[Hypnotist]

FWD, RWD, 400hp, 100hp, doesn't matter. Driving in snow is all 100% driver and 10% car. Anything will drive in the snow as long as the driver can handle it safely. In a snowstorm you see everything from 4WD Jeeps to FWD Saturns in the ditch; it's all about the driver. I've driven a Porsche 944 in the snow with summer slicks on; it's challenging, but doable.

The only thing about winter that frightens me is the salt.

 

[04DarkShadowGT]

I drove my 04 GT last winter in heavy snow at times too. (northern IN, Michigan, Chicago area, Wisconsin, etc)

I had 15s with 215 winter tires. I had 4 80lb bags of salt in the trunk and it was better than any fwd car I have ever owned in the snow. Its easy if you actually know how to drive.

 

[DaNd4Speed]

My mustang really stinks in the winter, hence why I have a beater that I normally drive to work and in the winter time.

All it would take is 1/2" of snow to cover a level driveway and my car would be stuck. My tires would literally spin the moment I released the clucth, giving it no gas either. Even with my Auburn Pro limited slip it doesn't help.

I consider myself an excellent driver, and there's no way I would think about taking out the Mustang on days like this. Why risk it?

 

[I8URVTEC]

I personally have not driven mine in the snow but I heard that if you HAVE TO drive it in the snow and you can get a set of good snow tires you should be fine. IMO though, go out and invest like $1000 into a beater and save yourself and your Mustang the headaches of winter.

 

[ruffy]

I picked up my '05 last Dec. and drove it across the Austrian mountians in snow and sleet. I had absolutly no problems. The car handles great and the stock all season tires performed excellent.

 

[rich8566]

Hi guys. I was just wondering if anyone knows or has heard of how well these cars handle in winter driving conditions.
The reason I'm asking is because I own a 2001GT that I've used over the years as just a toy on nice days. I aslo have a 94 Cadillac Deville that I bought cheap off of my father as a daily driver. It's front wheel drive and works great in the snow.
The problem is that My Cadillac needs to be replaced. It's getting old and needs work.
I'm getting tired of reparing, fueling, and insuring two vehicles.
I understand that the new GT is almost 50/50 weight balanced. I hear that they have an improved traction controll, and come with a good all season tire.
With those things being said, I would think the car actually can be used as a real daily driver. Please chime in with your thoughts or experience.

My Stang is GREAT in the snow - When it snows it stays in the garage and I drive my Audi with AWD!