Corvettes in the WINTER ???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 0
From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
and they wonder why there are salt shortages, lol. that is why i bought a DD and winter beater because i plan on keeping my car for a while and do not want to deal with the salt corrosion om the vette. To each his own. I would definitely plan on buying a 2nd set of wheels/tires so that you can just swap when the snow comes. you can find a set of used wagon wheels or thin spoke pretty cheap here on the forum and use those as your winter wheels. you'll be thankful you did when that first snow hits.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,467
Likes: 8
From: 972 and 405
Bought my car right as winter started. Driven it through a snowstorm and such, no problems, just use your head and be careful. As for washing off the salt, that's no prob just go to the car wash and have at with the power hose. I use my car as you are describing with NO issues. Good luck!
-Alex
-Alex
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,629
Likes: 7
From: Lawrenceville PA
I can only speak for myself, but I think it's a bad idea considering the winter weather you commonly experience. As much as you may want a Corvette, your primary consideration should be your personal safety and driving a 350HP, rear wheel drive, low ground clearance car with super wide tires in snow is a recipe for disaster. Like someone else said, even with as little as four inches of snow it'll be like your plowing the road. It sounds like money isn't the issue with your situation but if it were, why not find a cheaper Vette and look for a winter only vehicle to drive on those really nasty days. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Rock Valley Iowa
The C5 is a fairly light car with lots of power and big wide tires that sits very close to the ground. Four strikes for winter driving. I had mine stuck in my driveway last year and couldn’t move it a foot (no kidding).
I’ll bet that if you changed to a skinny winter tire it would help, but you still going to be limited by the other things that make the Corvette such a great summer car.
Not to hijack this thread, but I see you are from Iowa, do you follow the Hawks? I was in St. Louis watching them win the NCAA tournament last March!
I’ll bet that if you changed to a skinny winter tire it would help, but you still going to be limited by the other things that make the Corvette such a great summer car.
Not to hijack this thread, but I see you are from Iowa, do you follow the Hawks? I was in St. Louis watching them win the NCAA tournament last March!
Catholic Knight...
Racer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 352
Likes: 42
I've had my '01 Coupe as a DD since Dec. of 05. I drive it to work every day EXCEPT in the heavy snow. If it's more than a couple of inches I take the 4WD Yukon and drop my wife off at work.
It had runcraps (Stock Goodyears) on it when I first got it, they were REALLY bad in the cold weather. Slip slidding around all over the place! Even in the dry! (when it was cold) I switched to Bridgestone Potenza M+S last Fall and they were MUCH better this past winter.
With only 4" of ground clearance you can't drive 'em in much snow. Take it easy, keep 'er in 2nd and watch out for those other idiots on the road! Some of them don't know how to drive in the snow! or the dry, or the wet, or how to drive period!
Doc
It had runcraps (Stock Goodyears) on it when I first got it, they were REALLY bad in the cold weather. Slip slidding around all over the place! Even in the dry! (when it was cold) I switched to Bridgestone Potenza M+S last Fall and they were MUCH better this past winter.
With only 4" of ground clearance you can't drive 'em in much snow. Take it easy, keep 'er in 2nd and watch out for those other idiots on the road! Some of them don't know how to drive in the snow! or the dry, or the wet, or how to drive period!
Doc
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Frederick MD
I got stuck coming home from work after a suprise snowfall in MD (maybe 2 inches) and was on the edge of soiling myself the whole way home. Those wide wheels just dont cut through the snow and the torquey V8 just wants to break the back end loose. Get a beater for the snow season and save yourself the underpants!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
I drive it year round,but I do leave it parked in the really nasty stuff< I have a Focus and F150 Super Crew for that!But I can not leave i sit for very long It does see some slush and wet stuff!! I does Ok in that stuff as long as you don't get too frisky!!
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
I drive mine in the snow and I'm glad I have the A4. It's so easy to take off from a stop when you put the shifter in second and just let off the brake and let the car move on it's own without giving it any gas. With a manual you could start off in second too obviously, but you'd probably have a much harder time getting it rolling slowly without either stalling it or spinning the back tires.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Napierville Quebec
Thats where i found mine . It comes from Florida.With regards to driving in winter I think your nuts , no offense.
I live further north than 95% of this forums members, and have never dreamed of driving either of my cars in snow.
Traction control is for doing burnouts , not navigating snowbanks
Thats what 4x4's are for! I've got 2 suburbans just for that purpose.I hope you'll reconsider for the sake of the car!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 16
From: Anchorage Alaska
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Thats where i found mine . It comes from Florida.With regards to driving in winter I think your nuts , no offense.
I live further north than 95% of this forums members, and have never dreamed of driving either of my cars in snow.
Traction control is for doing burnouts , not navigating snowbanks
Thats what 4x4's are for! I've got 2 suburbans just for that purpose.I hope you'll reconsider for the sake of the car!
While it CAN be done, doesn't mean it SHOULD... and personally, I really enjoy my Vette and would just HATE to see it get wrecked because of the dingdongs who can't drive in the snow properly and end up slamming into it. That's why I have a basic 4x4... something that, if somebody hits me, I don't care so much. And, getting around easier is another benefit.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 2,077
From: Guelph, Ontario
Truth of the matter is, some dingdong can hit it on a perfectly dry summer day (and probably a better chance of doing more damage since he'll be driving faster!) You can't live your life worrying about the other guy, just keep an eye out and leave lots of distance in the snow and try not to live life thinking "what if?"
I enjoy my car a lot, too much to let it sit in my garage for half of the year. Sure, I won't take it out when the snow is super deep, the car sits too low for stuff like that. But for minor snowfalls, it can handle it, so I have no trouble taking it to work on those days. And if anyone thinks winter driving destroys your paint, they need to take a close look at mine. It still shines as good as new, the key is to get it properly washed (by hand) every week during the winter months and to make sure you've got a good coat of wax to protect it from the ravages of road salt.
I enjoy my car a lot, too much to let it sit in my garage for half of the year. Sure, I won't take it out when the snow is super deep, the car sits too low for stuff like that. But for minor snowfalls, it can handle it, so I have no trouble taking it to work on those days. And if anyone thinks winter driving destroys your paint, they need to take a close look at mine. It still shines as good as new, the key is to get it properly washed (by hand) every week during the winter months and to make sure you've got a good coat of wax to protect it from the ravages of road salt.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Napierville Quebec
While it CAN be done, doesn't mean it SHOULD... and personally, I really enjoy my Vette and would just HATE to see it get wrecked because of the dingdongs who can't drive in the snow properly and end up slamming into it. That's why I have a basic 4x4... something that, if somebody hits me, I don't care so much. And, getting around easier is another benefit.
Alaskanpilot I guess it'd be safe to say your one of the 5 %
Glad to know there are people out there less fortunate than ME
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 19,688
Likes: 523
From: Ideals are peaceful...History is violent...St.Charles, MO.
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'12 thru'22
