hey guys,

glad to come on here and find a group of other canadians!

ive been looking very deeply into the 2011 gt500 for awhile now, and im very convinced as to getting one as soon as i can set the cash aside.

i will be using the gt500 as a daily drive, and was wondering how it holds up in the snow? or if any of you have happened to drive in winter conditions?

i live just outside toronto, where the streets are plowed in the morning pretty well, and would be driving to work downtown toronto, where in the winter would be slush by the time i got on it (and probably traveling 10 km/h...damn hate rush hour)

from what ive researched, snow tires and some added weight in the trunk (sand bags) is what will do optimal performance.

just wondering to hear some feedback from you guys!


Thanks!

You figured right. added weight (300 to 400lb) and the best studded snow tires you can buy.
You might think about narrower rims for your winter tires. maybe a bit taller so you can keep the spliter longer.
I have driven everything in the winter and although the mustang is not the best it will get around just fine with the right setup.

I plow snow for a living durning the winter and these have been some of my personal cars.

67 Ford LTD, 69 Z/28, 72 Datson 240Z, 89 thunderbird SC, 90 thunderbird SC, 2006 Lincoln LS, plus another 12 or so rear wheel drive cars.

do they use salt on the roads there? i grew up in NYC but i have not seen snow except in the mountains of california in 35 years so i don't know if salt is still used.

Seems like it's worth getting a beater car or suv/truck for the winter to me. Keep the GT500 for days without snow. It is a very low car and even going through intersections and into driveways where the plow has been those little slush piles are like frozen rocks to the splitter.

do they use salt on the roads there? i grew up in NYC but i have not seen snow except in the mountains of california in 35 years so i don't know if salt is still used.

from what i understand, where i am they use a mix of sand and salt?
i could be very wrong haha.

and what is the clearance of the front of the 2011?

right now i drive an audi a6 and it does pretty well in the winter

I would hate to do that to a Shelby...all that salt being tossed up into the under-carriage and on your exhaust etc...you would have to wash it very thoroughly to prevent rusting.

I would suggest narrower tires made of the best winter rubber you can find.
What part of the GTA are you in?

Buy a beat up 5 yr old truck....or you will be sorry:boohoo:

our winters here in BC are brutal, lots or rocks, sand and salt. So my GT500 is a summer car only. And only on nice days in the summer. Im proud to say I purchased a garage queen.

picked up an SUV for an every day driver.

salt will destroy your beautiful car....period......

747 Kcm,

I wouldn't drive it in the snow because the GTA likes to spread the salt on very thick. I've seen the roads look almost pure white in the middle of winter. The salt is only going to eat away at your car and shorten its life considerably. But if you must, then get some thinner wheels and throw some Blizzaks on it. Like others have said, add some weight in the trunk.

Good luck navigating through the Toronto snowfalls.

Arbour88

thanks for the input guys! you have been very useful :)

for the next year and a half it will only be a non-winter car, and im sure by then ill be able to get some money for a p.o.s. truck! :)

and bane, i live in oakville, but im at school at dalhousie (in halifax) and wont be bringing the car out here, its just for my semesters at home and co-op work terms!

I would seriously consider public transportation, if not then Arbor88 has it right high profile Blizzaks narrow rims and weights in the trunk. As for the very fine calcium powder that has been ground super fine, it will get in every little crack

thanks for the input guys! you have been very useful :)

for the next year and a half it will only be a non-winter car, and im sure by then ill be able to get some money for a p.o.s. truck! :)

and bane, i live in oakville, but im at school at dalhousie (in halifax) and wont be bringing the car out here, its just for my semesters at home and co-op work terms!

Are you saying you now have the car?

Are you saying you now have the car?

no no, well not yet haha im looking at the next 3-4 months, is when ill be getting one :)

Buy a beater if you can.

If you must drive the Shelby, 3-400 lbs of sand or salt over the rear axle and definately get some narrower wheels with taller snow tires. I've had good luck with Blizzaks, but you may want studs...

For what you're going to spend on wheels/tires, mounting and balancing, etc. etc. go buy a $1,500 beater. This way you won't have to worry about all the nasty looks from everyone over the winter like "why are you driving THAT car in the snow?"

Years ago in college I restored a 67 Stang. Nice car, good runner with high 12s in the 1/4. It was my daily driver and I used to catch hell from people in the winter time as I pumped gas as they asked me what the hell I was thinking driving that car in the snow like that. Oh well. Do what you have to do....

Don't drive it in the snow period. Where there is a will, there is a way. Find your way into a beater.

Buy a snow plow then in the spring you can buy a new Shelby.

hmm or i could get the snowplow to drive infront of me everywhere

anyone know how snowplows look murdered out?

I'm in fort mcmurray and I wouldn't consider driving my shelby in the winter under any circumstances. In fact, its been in the garage for 2 weeks and it will probably be there till late april/early may.

GTA is much better at keeping the roads clear than they are here but I still wouldn't risk it. You can be as cautious as possible and go slow, but I would be so worried about the salt and the people ripping by on the 401 in their trucks doing 140 kicking up who knows what at you.

747, I live in Milton and commute to Toronto for work.

I only drive my Shelby to work on the nicest of days in the spring/ summer.

I would never think of driving it in town during the winter - specially if your doing it in rush hour. You'll hate it. And with the heavy clutch, your left quadricep and calve will be huge compared to your right leg.

Let us know when you pick up the car!

I live in Markham... Just put it away today!!!!:( It's gone all warm and comfy for the winter... I don't think I would want to drive this beast in the snow!43:thinkerg:

i think there's a company owned by some newfies that invented a type of plow that attaches to the front of mustangs...lmao......

i think there's a company owned by some newfies that invented a type of plow that attaches to the front of mustangs...lmao......

I think you can get them at Home Depot. I know they make them for a Subaru

i think there's a company owned by some newfies that invented a type of plow that attaches to the front of mustangs...lmao......They should try out for Dragon's Den! I can see it now!! rotflmao

I would never think of driving it in town during the winter - specially if your doing it in rush hour. You'll hate it. And with the heavy clutch, your left quadricep and calve will be huge compared to your right leg.I don't find the clutch in the '10 very heavy. I get caught in rush hour all the time and find it's a lot lighter than the clutch that was in my 05 GT.

I don't find the clutch in the '10 very heavy. I get caught in rush hour all the time and find it's a lot lighter than the clutch that was in my 05 GT.

Well you better get a heavier clutch and a few other things if you plan on beating me next spring ! J/K

Well you better get a heavier clutch and a few other things if you plan on beating me next spring ! J/K

LOL.

My clutch ('08) is pretty heavy. To say I hate it is an exaggeration. I just don't enjoy it when I'm stuck in bumper to bumper traffic after a long day of work and am struggling to stay awake all the way home. Add snow to the equation.... no fun.

braing it on. any day in my Shelby is better then (you fill it in) almost.

rear wheel, anything, is not for snow. dangerous.

2000 Crown Vic makes drifting those corners a blast. You should see the looks I get when they see a grandpa mobile sideways around a turn.

If I have to be someware in the snow then 4 wheel drive is the way to go but I still love playing with rear wheel drive in any weather. I am not into been led around so there is no front wheel drive in my future.

Super-bad idea to spend serious money on a car like that and subject it to those kinds of conditions. I'll gladly admit that I don't drive mine at all during winter as I live in the boonies. These cars are gems and deserve to be taken care of as they're quite the investment. I look at mine everyday and add something here and there since winter is a great time to mess with it. You should look on the internet for other winter drivers and see how their Shelbys ended up. Kinda like one of those "scared straight" programs:)

Now that's gonna leave a mark.Better in your garage than the body shops.:mofo:

I enjoy my cars and none are garage queens.
I don't see snow in eather of thoese pictures you posted there AlcanCorba.
infact in all the cars posted in "unlucky Shelbys" I dont remember any been in snow.
Not to say it can't or won't happen but it hasn't yet to me. and if and when it does I will look back on it and say "Damm what have I done"? untell then I am having fun.

Ah, and the reason you don't see snow in any of those pics because these are not winter cars. Check-mate:)

You win! I won't drive mine any more in the winter. LOL

Where can I buy narrower tires buddy? I will use it when I have an adventure in a snow place. :)

Michelin and Bridgestone Make the only two winter tires that do a Shelby justice. I put speed rated Blizzaks by Bridgestone on 18 inch rims on my 2011 Shelby and the traction is unbelievable. It handles better then other cars Ive had and the braking is amazing. Of course you must keep in mind that it can spin the tires on dry pavement so keep that lead foot off the gas and it works great. I dont buy a car to store it in a garage so Im not afraid of a little salt, just wash it often and spray some rust inhibitor on the undercarriage and it will last as long as you do. :pimp:

A 2011 SVT PP car in Calgary Alberta. Don't do it in the snow with a GT500. Made me cry when I saw these pics. A guy out here in Vancouver bought it for salvage.
http://www.venommustangs.com/pics/cpg1410/albums/userpics/10001/DSC01988.jpg

http://www.venommustangs.com/pics/cpg1410/albums/userpics/10001/DSC01973.jpg

I wouldn't drive that much power in the snow if it had tracks....well maybe :lol: