Post edited. The IRS really doesn't do anything for handling, anyways, so it's not much of a loss...
I just re-read the initial post and caught the "daily driver in Michigan" part.
If that's the case, you need something FWD or AWD, period. If you think you're going to drive a modified Mustang, Camaro, etc. year-roung through the snow, you're crazy. I'm sure someone on here has done it and will tell you that they "were passing spun out SUVs in the ditch," but it's really not a good idea.
So, I'd suggest either something FWD, AWD, or get a RWD car and a winter beater.
dj06482 wrote:
The early SN-95 Cobras '95-98 already start a leg up on the standard GT, as they have the better brakes and lowering springs from the factory.
Better brakes, yes. The difference in springs wasn't ride height, though. Ford called it "controlled compliance", which in layman's terms meant softer springs. Other than that, the suspension between a GT and Cobra was identical. The advantage for the Cobra is the handbuilt, all-aluminum, DOHC motor, which is light years ahead of the NPI SOHC 4.6 in the '96-'98 GT.
Regarding the snow comment, I'm one of the crazy people that has passed spun out SUVs in the snow. HOWEVER, this was with a 2.3L Mustang running on pizza-cutters, not a V8 car with 275s out back. Wide tires are death in the snow no matter which (or how many) wheels you're driving.
Yep, learn to drive (by practicing) and equip the car properly and you'll be fine on the plowed roads.
mustangs in snow...
my 97 cobra has gotten stuck in my driveway with one inch of snow before. that said, I had Nitto 555's on it at the time. last attempt at moving it in snow involved V700's and was even worse. (i shoveled the drive and still got stuck)
that said...
my moms 94 V6 convertable with all seasons wasnt a big problem. drove fine in ohio snow and dont remember ever getting it stuck.
drove a 2005 v6 rental car in denver for a week where 5ft of snow fell in that week. only time i got stuck was in a parking lot with snow up to the rocker panels. (was able to get it out myself)
If you are sensable and choose the right tires you might be able to make it work, that said, I have never attempted it with my cobra (rather not subject it to salt)
Narrow snow tires FTW. They'll make just about any 2wd vehicle great in snow, if you have the sense to practice throttle modulation. 
Hmmm...I hafta say that I'm quite happy with my late model pony on the autocross course, but it's kind of like driving finishing nails with a 3lb hand sledge. Fun, but there may be better tools for the job. Having said that, I can consistently run just above middle ranking on raw times at local SCCA events with only swaybars and wider tires. The older ponies needed more work to handle tight courses. I will also say that I have never been impressed with the GM Fbodies I've driven, even the 03 SS. visibility was awful, and handling seemed dodgy. Lots of power, but heavy. But, a local guy absolutely kills with his red camaro in fstock. Just depends....
I agree that identifying your goal is of prime importance. Mine was to have a car that could be a respectable weapon no matter what arena I entered. The new GT works like that. Just ask the the guys I embarrass on the street, then on the cone course, then on the strip.....
I'll agree with ultraclyde's comments about f-bodies. There's something weird that happens though, you get used to them and the heavy/big/etc-ness kinda goes away. I don't know how to explain it. .
belteshazzar wrote:
I'll agree with ultraclyde's comments about f-bodies. There's something weird that happens though, you get used to them and the heavy/big/etc-ness kinda goes away. I don't know how to explain it. .
Agreed. My 3rd gen felt VERY tossable.
While I've been an out of the closet GM Fanboy since birth, I've always awanted a 92 5.0LX with the BBK intake, long tubes, CAI, flowmaster catback, trickflow heads, subframe connectors, coilovers, tube k-member, tubular rear suspension, urethane bushings and bigger sway bars, 5-lug conversion with Cobra brakes and a T-56 swapped in.
Not that I have actually thought about it or anything....
But I always thought a 87-90 B-body GM was the car to mod out...
dj06482 wrote:
So, I'd suggest either something FWD, AWD, or get a RWD car and a winter beater.
Last winter I drove my 1970 beatle ALL year around. With bald tires,i n the snow. I had no problem, and yes I did see some SUV's off the road. Point being 90% of people dont know how to drive.
Volksroddin wrote:
dj06482 wrote:
So, I'd suggest either something FWD, AWD, or get a RWD car and a winter beater.
Last winter I drove my 1970 beatle ALL year around. With bald tires,i n the snow. I had no problem, and yes I did see some SUV's off the road. Point being 90% of people dont know how to drive.
For that matter, (NEVER DO THIS) i drove my gutted light Celica on 215/45-16 Ventus RS2s through the whole winter, and never got stuck or spun (except that one time in the Donatos drive thru) or failed to make it to work. Never hit anything, never had a scare.
Was it smart? HELL no.
93celicaGT2 wrote:
For that matter, (NEVER DO THIS) i drove my gutted light Celica on 215/45-16 Ventus RS2s through the whole winter, and never got stuck or spun (except that one time in the Donatos drive thru) or failed to make it to work. Never hit anything, never had a scare.
Was it smart? HELL no.
My point exactly. Can it be done? Yes. Is it the smartest thing in the world? Probably not.
A RWD Beetle with super skinny tires is not comparable to a 300 HP/380 TQ Fox body or SN95 Mustang. I guarantee you that the Beetle wasn't running 275 section rear wheels throughout the winter.
RWD and Mustang are not the same thing when it comes to snow. In addition to being RWD, a stock-suspensioned V8 Mustang has pretty poor geometry all around (especially over bumps), and has horrendous weight distribution. They have a well-deserved reputation for being very tail happy, and low traction situations (i.e. wet or snow) only exacerbate this quality.
A good driver will make a difference in the snow, but I think it'll get old pretty quick. I drove a 2WD pickup truck through college in upstate NY and had to go to hockey practice every day throughout the winter, which was 10 miles away from campus. Snowplowing in that area was seen as optional, and I made it through just fine with all-season tires front and back. However, would I recommend it - no.
I'm in a Mustang club in CT. Of the members, very few (I can't think of any off-hand) drive their car year-round. In addition to dealing with the effects of the salt/sand on your car, driving it through the winter is just a risk, plain and simple. Many have tried it for a year and then picked up a winter beater. Not to mention that unless you have stated value insurance, if your car gets wrecked you'll be lucky to get $2K for your car that you have sunk $10K into.
A lot of your decision depends on your commute and how well they plow in your area. I just wouldn't recommend a V8 Mustang as a daily driver in a climate that sees a fair amount of snow.
Port Huron is the Bob Costas side of Michigan, they don't even get Lake Effect. I have driven 3 winters with a 1992 Crown Vic on Hankook Winter I-Pikes and NEVER gotten stuck. RWD is not a bad thing in the snow. a modded mustang might be, but RWD is not inherently terrible in the snow...BUY PROPER TIRES!
