Can I Drive my Viper in The Snow

FrankBarba

Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 2, 2000
Posts
3,285
Reaction score
3
Is it possible to drive my viper in the snow? Do you think that it would
be safe? Do you also think that all the chemicals that are laid down
on the road would hut the car? Does driving in this winter type of weather
bring down the value of this car?
 

Viperfreak2

Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 14, 2002
Posts
2,548
Reaction score
0
Location
Duncan, SC USA
I have driven my Vipers in the snow. Stuck at work, couldn't get out before a storm hit.....would NOT recommend this to anyone, anywhere, anytime. The wider the tires, the more a car becomes a big sled. BUY A SUBARU.
 

Magicboy2

Enthusiast
Joined
Nov 14, 2001
Posts
769
Reaction score
2
Location
Philadelphia, PA
No offense but you own a Viper and you're asking that question???

If you're in VW/PA I would hope you have another car. Your Viper will not do well in the snow for a multitude of reasons. I'm sure someone will respond with "I've done it and I lived blah blah blah", but I'm sure I speak for the majority when I say <b>don't try it</b>.
 
S

SUN RA KAT

Guest
You can drive your viper in the snow.

The biggest problem with driving in the snow is cleaning the dirty slush out afterwards - the Viper has many nooks & crannies where the slush accumulates. I drove my Viper once in a surprise snow - and it drove like a champ - but never again if I can help it.
 

knuk

Enthusiast
Joined
Jan 21, 2002
Posts
1,108
Reaction score
0
I think as long as you have a good set of tire chains you should have no problem. I take mine on all the logging roads etc. in the winter...I even strapped the ski's to the roof and took it skiing - have fun.
 

YouWish

Enthusiast
Joined
Aug 12, 2003
Posts
1,364
Reaction score
0
Location
U.S.A.
The Viper is excellent for off-roading also. :2tu: The fact that the ground clearance is 1 inch makes it an excellent choice for snow/off-roading. :headbang:
 

Viper Specialty

Legacy/Supporting Vendor
Supporting Vendor
Joined
Feb 14, 2002
Posts
5,710
Reaction score
54
Location
Cape Coral, FL
I'll answer this question like this:

I have gotten stuck in my DRIVEWAY, just MOVING the car.

I see a towtruck in your near future.
 

Gus Strakes

Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 6, 2000
Posts
518
Reaction score
0
Location
Monkton, MD, USA
Frank, shame on you (LOL) :D ! I think you guys have been had! Frank is a long time Viper Owner, and one of the best Road Racers around. At one time he campaigned the lime green RT/10 that has been in the Viper Quarterly from time to time. He knows as much as anyone the capabilities, and the limitations of the Viper.
 

JBenko

Enthusiast
Joined
Jul 26, 2000
Posts
87
Reaction score
0
Location
Stillwater, MN USA
Last year I was moving my RT/10 from the garage to the pole barn and I got stuck in my driveway. There was less than 1/2 inch of snow and it was very close to level ground. I ended up having to tow it with a strap attached to the front tow hook. Short of chains 13" rear tires aint goin' nowhere...
 

Steve-Indy

VCA Venom Member
Venom Member
Joined
Oct 2, 2000
Posts
8,530
Reaction score
168
Location
Zionsville,IN. USA
Frank asked:
1."Is it possible to drive my viper in the snow?"

May be possible(on level ground) but NOT practical or wise.

2. "Do you think that it would
be safe?"

NO !!!!

3. "Do you also think that all the chemicals that are laid down on the road would hut (hurt) the car?"

YES !!!

4. "Does driving in this winter type of weather
bring down the value of this car?"

VERY MUCH SO !!!

Living in a state that uses salt, sand, etc., we try NEVER to drive if there has been sleet, snow, sand, salt...though AFTER snow disappears, and AFTER a good rain that CLEARLY washes salt/sand away, we can occasionally get the Vipers out for a cold season drive.

Good Luck !!
 
OP
OP
FrankBarba

FrankBarba

Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 2, 2000
Posts
3,285
Reaction score
3
149 reads within 1 hour. Not bad. I thought i'd ask before a "Newbie" came on board asking. Actually i was thinking of COBRA48. Seems to ask lots of questions.

Gus: Thank you for the kind words. The Lime Green Machine is still tearing up the circuits. Took 2 Divisional point championships (in different regions) this past year along with many Podiums & Champaign Bottles in other Sanctions.

ACCELLR8: Great to hear from you. GTS is tucked away (winterized) no other street cars at the present time.
 

Tom F&L GoR

Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 3, 2000
Posts
4,983
Reaction score
5
Location
Wappingers Falls
Darn. I was hoping for more driving tips, like go two gears up from normal, time your annual state inspection (i.e. time for new tires) in November, where to find those skinny wiper blades, how to install aftermarket rear window defoggers...
 
Joined
Mar 25, 2000
Posts
4,368
Reaction score
0
Location
Quantico, VA
I just perused this and thought Frank might have had an accident and bumped his head. Might have forgotten he has owned more Vipers than me and MarkO put together. :)
 

RedEnuf93

Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 14, 2002
Posts
2,591
Reaction score
2
Location
Lancaster, PA
Hah, Haa!!! That is a good one Frank!!!

What? Are there no snow track time at Summit Springs in January???

Lauri
 

VENM8R

Viper Owner
Joined
May 8, 2002
Posts
231
Reaction score
0
Location
The Last Frontier
Living up here in the extremes of the north means you have to often make do with what you have and adapt it for more than one use.
Here is what my viper does for me:

(1) I use it during the winter after a particularly deep snow fall, to pull out stuck motorist's in their pathetically skinny tired automobiles. Due to my extremely wide tires, I don't sink and actually float on top. This enables me to move about much like a snowmachine would, but at the same time be much warmer and more stylish.

(2) For parties: After a hard day of skiing doesn't a beer sound good? Of course it does! That is why I use the door latch to open beer bottles - then open the hood and voila - you have a HUGE warmer for all the hor'dourves!

(3) Livestock: I keep chickens in the back during the winter. The cold would kill them you know? (what a waste of space that trunk is otherwise) Anyways, they really like the view from the rear window. What a fantastic sight it is: the auroa borealis, dancing about during the cold, clear arctic night.

Sure, you can drive your viper in the snow, but why limit it to just that? There are many more things it can do. Why, with just a little fore thought, I bet the possibilities would be endless. :D
 

jimandela

Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 19, 2001
Posts
2,980
Reaction score
0
Location
Western New York, USA
i had to move my car from one garage to another.
about 100 yards in the snow...

only 3 gear was practical to even get it moving forward without spinning the tires.
 

Mopar Steve

Enthusiast
Joined
Oct 27, 2000
Posts
2,871
Reaction score
0
Location
Newark DE
No snow tires just get 4 donut spares! Not too wide and should be able to find 4 that have never been used. Not to mention that chains would be more availabe in this size.
 

JDR

Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 7, 2002
Posts
248
Reaction score
0
Location
Sonoma, CA USA
Just do it!
You must be registered for see images


(Actually, after I took this shot for the kids, I drove it right back in the garage.)
 

slaughterj

Enthusiast
Joined
Mar 6, 2001
Posts
5,266
Reaction score
0
Sure you can, and you can drive it on ice too!

You must be registered for see images
 

GR8_ASP

Enthusiast
Joined
May 28, 1998
Posts
5,637
Reaction score
1
I agree. Wide flat and non aggressive tread makes the Viper great in the sand. Just make sure you route the intake through the hood speakers before fording rivers and such.

For snow I installed studs. Couldn't find acceptable chains for the 335's. They kept loosening and hitting the fenders :)
 

ViperJoe

Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 5, 2001
Posts
2,973
Reaction score
0
Location
Virginia
Absolutely freakin NO!
Frank you OBVIOUSLY need help. You need to be confined to a rubber room. Get off some samolians and buy a POS ****** to drive in inclement weather. :)
 

Bonkers

VCA Venom Member
Venom Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2002
Posts
5,326
Reaction score
75
Location
DelaWhere? USA
Frank How did Bonkers get a hold of your Login?

Ooh, another cheap shot 8? So be it...

Snow? Of course you can (****, when I bought it I drove mine home in the snow and ice.) Be careful, there are plenty of posers who are scared of the snow and rain and will tell you the car will melt (or some other horrific thing) when in reality they are merely afraid of getting their garage queens dirty (or they just simply can't handle the car - your call.)

Our European friend is right though - you have to try at least once.
 
Top