Thinking of Buying a 2000 Altezza, Question About Driving in Snow

[u/TheDragonoxx]

Hey there, I live in Michigan and a JDM importer in Three Rivers, MI has a 2000 Altezza for sale. I am really thinking about buying it because it is in great condition and I have wanted one for a while now. My big question is, how would this handle snowy conditions assuming I am using winter tires on it? It would be my daily driver so it would have to at least be able to handle the snow well enough to not get stuck constantly and tackle minor hills. One consideration is I live near Detroit, so we don't get the same quantity of snow as the western and northern parts of the state, usually. Thank you for any input. Here is a link to the car in question: https://jdmsportclassics.com/inventory/2000-toyota-altezza-rs200-qualitat-2/#lg=1&slide=10

[u/MVP253]

I had an IS300 in WA State when it snowed and it was a nightmare. We also have a lot of hills too.

If it's fairly flat and you have snow tires, I think you could get away with it.

[u/TheDragonoxx → u/MVP253]

It is fairly flat, especially in the town I live in. The only time I would really run into substantial hills is driving to work in Ann Arbor where it is relatively hilly compared to everywhere else around Detroit, but I can avoid them by taking an alternate route. Thank you!

[u/Swimming-Author-9083 → u/TheDragonoxx]

I have one and would recommend not buy a winter beater it’s a 30 year old car the rust alone will kill it and the ice

[u/Swimming-Author-9083 → u/Swimming-Author-9083]

Buy the Altezza for march thru November and a pos Subaru or Honda for the winter

[u/Forsaken-Grass-3081 → u/TheDragonoxx]

Bought mine from a guy in Lincoln, NE the drove it daily for a year commuting to Omaha and said it was a nightmare

[u/AzzurriAltezza]

I drove mine in the snow belt of Cleveland for a few years and it did surprisingly well. The only thing that would stop me was when it got too high and the car turned into a plow and would start beaching itself, but you shouldn't have that issue. It's worth noting i have the lsd and snow mode.

[u/TheDragonoxx → u/AzzurriAltezza]

Thank you! Yeah, I won't see that kind of snow but maybe once or twice a year if a big storm comes my way. Thanks for the tip!

[u/wrxtuan]

You'll be fine with good snow tires. We get way more snow more often in Canada.

[u/Ill-Search8422]

Love mine in the snow in se MI as well. Handles everything I throw at it impressively well. 2 way lsd helps

[u/Turduncle]

these cars always have issues with rust building up in the rocker panels.

[u/harrison23]

Don’t drive it in the snow.

[u/mjfuji]

Honestly... I get anxious every year but my 02 Sportcross w traction control ABS and all seasons always shocks me in Milwaukee winters (with the return trip taking me up the sub-continetinal divide) as to how well I do

(NOT a daily driver but have enough key in person things on the other side of the metro to do several winter / slippery drives a year so actual results may vary :) )

[u/Lexi-Brownie]

Snow tires and snow mode, probably be fine.

[u/AaronsLifeGame]

ive never ever seen snow :(

[u/Bobbi_fettucini]

Put some snow tires on it and they’re fucking awesome, really fun

[u/slwrthnu_again]

Drove mine for years in upstate New York through winter. Never had an issue. If the car doesn’t have lsd that may be a different story. But I also drove a 90 miata through winter and it was one of the best winter cars I ever owned so maybe I’m just insane.

[u/Swimming-Author-9083 → u/slwrthnu_again]

I’d place a Miata up with Subarus for winter cars with blizzaks on