Soft snow cables for sports car in snow?

[Cohiba]

Yes, you read that correctly.....snow.

I may take my wife's car and she buy a new sports car or I may just get one myself....don't know yet. Truck is out....no more cattle and probably won't get into the cattle business anymore. My retirement eyes are set on going West.....Vegas, Flagstaff, or Santa Fe.

Anyhow, what I need to know from you all. Does anyone use a snowsock, autosock, soft cables for their sports car? Ground clearance/wheelwell clearance is very close and if a chain or cable breaks....dang, it will tear up the fender and wheelwell.

Here's what I'm looking at so far:

Michelin Easy Grip...kinda a soft/rubber net.
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Jeko...Italian plastic grip.
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Snobootz.
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Snowsock.
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RUDmatic softspike....fiber/kevlar with wire woven in it.
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Will go to the local tire stores and autoshops sometime this week. Just wanted to ask here first and see if anyone knew about these and which one they had/have. Want to get some BEFORE the bad weathere.

Thanks!!

Cohiba

 

[Shoot Summ]

My wife's Z4 doesn't leave the garage when there is snow on the ground, it sits way to low to try to get around in snow. I would suggest getting a "snow beater"....

 

[Beerzerker]

Growing up in Canada I have never seen these things. Chains yes. Used em a few times even, but never seen those sock things.

Them winter sock things just look like a disaster waiting to happen and a really doubt they would be safe at any speed or for long drives.

OK, here's my opinions:

1. Best option is to not drive a sports car in snow. They are not any good for it. Rear wheel drive, light, lots'a power... No good. No way.

2. If you insist on driving a sports car in the snow, get studded winter tires on a spare set of rims and swap em out seasonally.

3. Don't waste your money on these snow socks.

Seriously, you can buy winter tires in OKC. My tire guy is going to order me a set, and when you see all the donk impalas and hummers on rims (with slickity summer tires) stuck in the middle of britton and penn, I will be putting along in my minivan all nice and warm off to pick up steaks for my BBQ.

 

[IndVet]

Beerzerker, how can you say you've never seen something before, than say it won't work? Michelin has a little bit of experience in tires and tire related accessories.

Studded snow tires are illegal in lots of snow states, they tear up the road. While growing up in Colorado I've used plastic cleats similar to the Jeko things in the second picture in your post. They worked really well, but will not pass muster if chains are required (as they frequently are in mountain areas).

You may want to inquire online about some of these solutions. I doubt any local tire places are familiar with most of these products.

 

[Simon]

I lived in NE Montana for most of the 80s. During this time I drove a Mustang, an Olds 88 and a International Scout. I also drove probably 35 thousand miles a year in various
gov't vehicles and never used chains. We used studded snow tires on 4X4s for couple of winters. Based on my experience, I would reccomend a full time 4 wheel drive SUV if you are worried about snow and ice.

How ever you don,t really need 4 wheel drive or chains unless you have to respond to call outs during a snow storm. All the western states have very good snow removal and sanding equipment and if the weather is that bad you shouldn't be out any way.

 

[WhiteyMacD]

While I cant speak from 1st hand experience (we always ran snow/ice tires when I lived up north), I can say I see quite a bit of what looks like the italian plastics on smaller cars. So FWIW, just going off of what people who really have to deal with it... thats what I see. Then again, quite a few people I know from back home, dont take those types of cars out in the winter. Usually have a beater on "snow reserve".

Northern NM/AZ,... Im jealous dude. I would give up 25% of my salary if I could move back to the north. Love oklahoma, just miss my winters. Miss skating on ponds and rivers. Miss ice fishing. Missing awesome nights with spiked cocoa and a nice wood fire.

 

[bettingpython]

Been thinking about getting the wife a set of these for her GT

http://www.spikes-spiders.com/

 

[buckeye]

Get a second set of rims that are wrapped with some variety of Bridgestone Blizzak. Worked for my "shouldn't go in the snow" car for near ten years now.

 

[Beerzerker]

Beerzerker, how can you say you've never seen something before, than say it won't work? Michelin has a little bit of experience in tires and tire related accessories.

Studded snow tires are illegal in lots of snow states, they tear up the road. While growing up in Colorado I've used plastic cleats similar to the Jeko things in the second picture in your post. They worked really well, but will not pass muster if chains are required (as they frequently are in mountain areas).

You may want to inquire online about some of these solutions. I doubt any local tire places are familiar with most of these products.

Yes yes, point taken. I have never used them things... but they look mickey mouse to me.

But my condensed opinion is this : Get snow tires. If studs aren't allowed, then don't get studded.

Congrats on retiring!

 

[Cohiba]

No,no,no....10-15 years before I retire. My wife and I are looking into retirement areas. I don't want to set at home when I retire.....so if we move to Vegas, I'll be the older guy either parking valet cars at the casino or picking you up or dropping you off at the casino.

Flagstaff or Santa Fe? Hmmm, substitute teach HS Science, Biology, or Chemistry.

Thanks for the info on the snow cables. I think studded tires are illegal in Oklahoma. May keep the truck for a snow beater.

Cohiba