Is it terrible in the snow

Doctore · #1 (**permalink**) 02-27-07, 01:07 AM

I live in Toronto, sometimes very snowy. I saw a 2007 STS-V I could probably get for $56 or $57K in the U.S. and bring it up here. It's got 1400 miles. I'm concerned, however, about how it'll handle Canadian winters. Any advice? (In Canada this car sells for equiv of $85K U.S. Thanks.

RunningOnEMT · #2 (**permalink**) 02-27-07, 01:09 AM

get some really nice snow tires and keep your foot off the floor and you'll be ok ...

i drove my CTS-V 425 miles in a winter storm over the weekend, did ok except around 1 turn i had the stability system kick in for a second

steveLT1 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-27-07, 09:27 AM

I also am considering a CTS-V...my wife is making me get down to one car. I currently have a vette which never sees a bad day. But, with one car, I need something that can get me through all the seasons. The V made sense as it is comfortable, yet I would still have the power I have grown to love. Would a V still get me to work? Has anyone else had any snow experience they could offer? Hell, currently my winter ride is a '93 Ford Escort, if the V at least matches that then I'm good!!

Kadonny · #4 (**permalink**) 02-27-07, 09:28 AM

I won't drive mine in the snow. God bless those who do.

me_dimitri · #5 (**permalink**) 02-27-07, 01:02 PM

I live in Toronto as well...

The car would be unusable without snow tires in the Winter, but with them it is fine.

I have had mine for about a month and have Blizzaks installed on the stock rims, (seems like a very good tire). It has bought me to work safely through the last two snow storms that everyone whined about.

Just go easy on the accelerator and enjoy the comfy cabin and heated seats / steering wheel.

Now that I'm getting the feel of the car, (the threshold when the traction control kicks in / braking times etc.), I am feeling very comfortable in the Canuck Winter.

I leased mine and there was a very good package offered. I downsized from a Corvette Vert and a GMC Jimmy.

Dimitri
T.O.

Doctore · #6 (**permalink**) 03-01-07, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by me_dimitri

I live in Toronto as well...

The car would be unusable without snow tires in the Winter, but with them it is fine.

I have had mine for about a month and have Blizzaks installed on the stock rims, (seems like a very good tire). It has bought me to work safely through the last two snow storms that everyone whined about.

Just go easy on the accelerator and enjoy the comfy cabin and heated seats / steering wheel.

Now that I'm getting the feel of the car, (the threshold when the traction control kicks in / braking times etc.), I am feeling very comfortable in the Canuck Winter.

I leased mine and there was a very good package offered. I downsized from a Corvette Vert and a GMC Jimmy.

Dimitri
T.O.

Thanks for your reply. What do you think of the price I'm quoted for the car?

Berger 93 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-01-07, 11:55 AM

On stock tires I just stuck in a small snow storm . . . very unfriendly to drive.

When Pirelli say the tires are not meant for snow use they mean it.

Now stab on some nice M+S tires, and I'd say it would be fine.

me_dimitri · #8 (**permalink**) 03-01-07, 07:10 PM

Your price looks very good to me...
I am assuming that warranty and inclusive service would be intact in Canada?

you chould definitely check on that, as it is a big part of the value of the car.

Get some Blizzaks or other good snows right away if you are going to drive it in weather like we have today, the Pirellis are not even functional in very cold / albeit dry conditions.

As mentioned there are some very attractive lease incentives on the car in Canada, (.5% financing over 39 months with some price reductions as well).

So if the Warranty and all-inclusive service does not work on a cross border car, you may want to consider this.

Either way, I am loving the car more every day...
Way faster than it feels and decadent inside.

Regards,

Dimitri
T.O.

Albertan · #9 (**permalink**) 03-02-07, 06:57 PM

I brought a CTS-V in from the USA. Re Warrenty: Gm will NOT warrenty the car UNTIL it is 6 months old AND 12,000KM on odometer. Canada also needs daytime running lights and kilometres on the speedo which is no problem. Make sure you go through a customs broker to do the importing, it will make things easy. You do not want to import it wrong and have it seized!
Bruce

JimKathy1 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-15-07, 10:27 PM

Hello..........I'm buying my STS-V next Feb and I live in Chicago and travel often to Wisconsin.............Since I live in a condo and lack storage room, I need to have one set of tires all year round for both snow and dry weather.

Any suggestions would be appreciated..............I love this website.

Jim

Davidstan · #11 (**permalink**) 03-16-07, 09:34 AM

Nice planning ahead!

me_dimitri · #12 (**permalink**) 03-16-07, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimKathy1

Hello..........I'm buying my STS-V next Feb and I live in Chicago and travel often to Wisconsin.............Since I live in a condo and lack storage room, I need to have one set of tires all year round for both snow and dry weather.

Any suggestions would be appreciated..............I love this website.

Jim

You must be a Boy Scout with that kind of advance preparation...

My personal opinion, (I'm in Toronto and have had my V for just over one month), is the car is not drivable in the Winter without _high quality_ snows.

Find a dealer that will store your Summer tires if you buy the snows from them, (they exist, mine did it).

I have Blizzaks on the stock rims and they have worked fine in some brutal weather.

Best of luck,

Dimitri
T.O.

JimKathy1 · #13 (**permalink**) 03-16-07, 12:12 PM

Well, I'm not a boy scout but I've been around long enough to know that timing and planning are two of the secrets of success in life.

Do you have all four snows on there or just the rear tires? I saw that the recommendation by the manufacturer is for all four. (I know they are trying to sell their tires)

Does anyone in the Chicagoland area have a tire dealer that will store your summer tires for you?

Thank you for the advice. I appreciate it.

Jim

z06bigbird · #14 (**permalink**) 03-30-07, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveLT1

I also am considering a CTS-V...my wife is making me get down to one car. I currently have a vette which never sees a bad day. But, with one car, I need something that can get me through all the seasons. The V made sense as it is comfortable, yet I would still have the power I have grown to love. Would a V still get me to work? Has anyone else had any snow experience they could offer? Hell, currently my winter ride is a '93 Ford Escort, if the V at least matches that then I'm good!!

Dang!! Are people lining up to buy that Escort? Hell, I thought I was embarassed to drive an Olds Cutlass.

Just yanking your chain.

Ed

Doctore · #15 (**permalink**) 04-20-07, 02:59 AM

I would love to speak to you more about the car. Maybe you could e-mail me and I'll give you my number. I live in North York. Address is drhealthclinic@rogers.com Thanks, L.