Who drives their ctsv daily in a northern area?

jcar302 · #1 (**permalink**) 01-08-08, 01:03 PM

Guys, seriously considering a cts v.

But i will have to rid of 2 cars to get it, one being an AWD suv the other being a foxbody mustang.

The foxbody has caused much paranoia about driving in the rain or snow, basically it's a death trap. Luckily i haven't had to drive it in bad weather in years.
I do realize technology has come a long way, but is it good enough for a NJ winter. Some years it snows alot, some none.
I just don't know if i can make the transition back from awd to rwd.

So basically the question is (i'd like to know from experience, not speculation) is it nerve racking in heavy rain, and how will it do in 1-4 inches of snow. I wouldn't drive it on purpose in the snow, but i need to know if i can, if i had to.
I would be willing to buy snow tires too.

A beater or alternate second car is not an option, nor a desire at this point in my life.

trukk · #2 (**permalink**) 01-08-08, 01:30 PM

I'm in MD, not too far from you in a general sense. I Daily drive my car.

The main thing it comes down to is tires. In the rain, most tires are going to be OK. the original OEM tires were Goodyear F1 Super Car EMT's. Those were scary in the rain. Since then I've had GY GSD3's and Falken Azenis RT615's. Both have been amazing in the rain (even in heavy downpour condictions). As long as you don't have bald EMT's you should be fine in the rain.

The snow is a different story. If you change to snow tires, no issues at all. Without snow tires I don't like to drive my car at all in the snow. It is scary. I've had to do it on perhaps 4 occasions over the last 3 years. One time was in about 3 inches, and it took forever, and I was lucky not to get stuck. Not worth driving this car in the snow w/o snow tires, unless it is an absolute emergency. The 3 other times I've driven in the snow, was comming home from work, when it started to snow just before leaving. Not a big deal, but one it starts to get to about a half an inch or more, it starts getting dicey on hills, and heavily cambered roads.

Hope this helps.

-Chris

jcar302 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-08-08, 01:37 PM

Thanks trukk,
Are any of your snow trips with snow tires on?
You say without snow tires on you don't like to drive it in the snow, not sure if that means you tried it with them or not.
Keep in mind too, that i will not be using studded snow tires, more like tires i can put on in december and take off in march.

I know maryland is only about 2 hours south of me, but i think you guys get about 50% less snow than us too, is that about right?

trukk · #4 (**permalink**) 01-08-08, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcar302

Thanks trukk,
Are any of your snow trips with snow tires on?
You say without snow tires on you don't like to drive it in the snow, not sure if that means you tried it with them or not.
Keep in mind too, that i will not be using studded snow tires, more like tires i can put on in december and take off in march.

I know maryland is only about 2 hours south of me, but i think you guys get about 50% less snow than us too, is that about right?

It depends what part of MD you are in I guess. Where I am, I'm sure we get less.

I have not drivin w/ snow tires. For me it's just not worth the investment. I can drive my truck, or just not go in to work when it snows

There have been a handful of threads on here about running the V w/ snow tires (w/o studs), having no issues in light to moderate snow. Blizzacks seem to be popular.

You should be fine if you get some snow tires.

-Chris

jcar302 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-08-08, 01:54 PM

thanks chris.
I'm kinda like you, it snows i don't go too many places. Even my awd suv is a limited production vehicle that can't be repaired easily, so i do drive minimum in bad weather. I just like to know in an emergency situation if i'm going to wreck this rwd car or not.

I'll check out some snow tire posts.
If you know i good one, could you link me?
thanks,
Joe

trukk · #6 (**permalink**) 01-08-08, 02:09 PM

there are a ton in the CTS-V section, with the word SNOW in the title. Just do an advanced search.

Her's the one I just did. I don;t know if this is tied to my local cookies or not, and/or how long the searchid will remain valid, but give it a try.

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...earchid=571278

-Chris

Bigron · #7 (**permalink**) 01-08-08, 02:10 PM

A set of snow tires and second set of rims was going to be around $2,000 so I am just driving a Taurus for the winter. At least it makes me appriciate V more when I do get to drive it.

robertb · #8 (**permalink**) 01-08-08, 02:43 PM

Joe,

I am also in Maryland. I bought snow tires and wheels the first year I got my CTS-V (04). I switch them some time between Thanksgiving and New Years depending on the threat of the first snow storm and then back again in the spring. I figured it was essentially a one time investment since I only need them about 3 months a year. They should last a dozen years (I hope my CTS-V lasts that long!). So far no problems driving in light to medium snow (up to a couple of inches). After that its not he car, but the other drivers are too hazardous for me.

Robert

RyeV · #9 (**permalink**) 01-08-08, 03:46 PM

I am across the river in Westchester county and drive it daily all year long. Past year plus has been just to the train station on the weekdays, but used to drive weekly to Philadelphia and/or Boston. Bought snow tires (dunlop winter sport from tire rack) and wheels the first year and no problems.

type911 · #10 (**permalink**) 01-09-08, 07:51 AM

I drive in Mass,NH, VT. With my snows it is easy driving. With my Factory tires it would be sure death.

Twitch · #11 (**permalink**) 01-09-08, 08:10 AM

If you dont get the V till spring, you'll have all summer to find a deal on rims. I have the wintersports, and they felt great with the little snow we've had this year. It's a heavy car, that helps. Go for it.

Tony

ahahnu · #12 (**permalink**) 01-09-08, 10:50 AM

I drive it everyday. Used F1s in snow, Falken 615s and snow tires. Huge difference. Get the V and some snow tires and don't give it a second thought. Its not the best in the snow I'm not gonna lie, you stiil have to be careful and take your time but it works.

jcar302 · #13 (**permalink**) 01-09-08, 12:12 PM

Ya, i think i'm gonna do it.
Probably take about a month to unload everything i've got right now. I want a low low car payment, so i'm not going to run out and finance the whole thing.
Is it me, or are black ones more expensive?
Also seems NJ prices are a bit higher than everywhere else

nspharmd · #14 (**permalink**) 01-09-08, 12:28 PM

I'm in chicago and I use my V as a daily driver. I was a little skeptical at first about driving it in the snow, but its just fine with snow tires on. I can drive mine anywhere when its snowing and not have a problem. Obviously you still have to drive carefully, and if its a blizzard out just dont go out. Make sure to go with snow tires and not all-season tires as snows have a huge advantage over the allseasons.

nspharmd · #15 (**permalink**) 01-09-08, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcar302

Ya, i think i'm gonna do it.
Probably take about a month to unload everything i've got right now. I want a low low car payment, so i'm not going to run out and finance the whole thing.
Is it me, or are black ones more expensive?
Also seems NJ prices are a bit higher than everywhere else

Go with silver, they are faster