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Why do you store your vette during winter?

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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 04:17 PM
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Default Why do you store your vette during winter?

Forgive me, I'm new to the forum and still shopping for a c5.
I came across a couple posts and wonder why owners put their vette away for the winter?
Is this just a mere fact of babying it? That I totally understand
Or is there more to it? Like poor weather strips for the targa and verts that may cause water leaks?
Or worse, there is areas that hold water that may cause rust?

Thank you all in advance.
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 04:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Display0409
Forgive me, I'm new to the forum and still shopping for a c5.
I came across a couple posts and wonder why owners put their vette away for the winter?
Is this just a mere fact of babying it? That I totally understand
Or is there more to it? Like poor weather strips for the targa and verts that may cause water leaks?
Or worse, there is areas that hold water that may cause rust?

Thank you all in advance.
Because the snow gets so deep here it would be over the hood. I bought a sports car not a snow plow
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 04:21 PM
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I store mine because of the climate..... We do get snow occasionally here in MD and well it's no shocker that my car is a garage queen... And there are really no shows to go to from November till about March or April.... Also during the winter for me I do some projects or just spend time working on the paint (basically as a stress reliever) My vette is not my daily driver so I just fill it up with gas, put the battery tender on it and cover it up...
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 04:23 PM
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I live down south, so my red convertable never gets time off.
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 04:31 PM
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Most store it just because they do not want to have it out the elements, God forbid frozen water touch the car. However bad conditions can be serious driving issue in a high horsepower rear-wheel drive vehicle such as this. I am storing mine due to necessity of tires and driving my other car until I can purchase the tires.

-Alex
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by slolane
Because the snow gets so deep here it would be over the hood. I bought a sports car not a snow plow
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 04:43 PM
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If you live somewhere where they salt the roads, its good to avoid getting the underbody coated in it. Canadian winters reek havoc on metal parts.
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 04:49 PM
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I drive mine all winter long weather permitting.
no snow or salt on the roads and try not to drive it in the rain deliberately.
BUT! it has seen both but not by choice
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted by slolane
Because the snow gets so deep here it would be over the hood. I bought a sports car not a snow plow
Totally!
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 05:01 PM
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No need to stored it in South Texas
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 05:08 PM
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6 feet of snow and 4 inches off the ground!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S We just recieved 6 inches of that white S*@T yesterday!!!!!
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 05:18 PM
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I don't. It's my only car and I run snow tires. In the rare instance the snow is + 4" then I stay home, or call a friend with a truck or jeep to come get me. In the spring, I give it a thorough washing with a pressure washer on the underside. Been doing this since 2003.
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 05:22 PM
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Road salt, sand and the new spray stuff kills the car.
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 05:23 PM
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Have you ever Tried to drive a High Horse Power Rear Wheel Drive Car in the snow Before? Yeah it doesn't work.. Don't get me wrong, someone Here will say YES you can with Snow Tires..etc. But that's their choice, and it's still not very safe.. Just don't Touch the Gas Pedal in a Turn.. Plus It just isn't worth getting stuck everywhere the Snow is deeper than a 1/4 inch!

OHH HERE don't take my Word for it see for yourself.. Notice there is very little snow on the ground in these video's..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF6yo24VjCE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMuyQXKjK9M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulVtNdClhb8

Last edited by slvrzo6; Oct 29, 2008 at 05:28 PM.
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 05:46 PM
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One word..............SALT.
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 05:47 PM
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Oh okay, so its a weather thing. Thank you all for the replies. That was quick!
I was just afraid of the water getting into the car, or some manufacture defect or something.
Thanks again guys. You guys rock!
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by slvrzo6
Have you ever Tried to drive a High Horse Power Rear Wheel Drive Car in the snow Before? Yeah it doesn't work.. Don't get me wrong, someone Here will say YES you can with Snow Tires..etc. But that's their choice, and it's still not very safe.. Just don't Touch the Gas Pedal in a Turn.. Plus It just isn't worth getting stuck everywhere the Snow is deeper than a 1/4 inch!

OHH HERE don't take my Word for it see for yourself.. Notice there is very little snow on the ground in these video's..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF6yo24VjCE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMuyQXKjK9M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulVtNdClhb8
Thanks slvrz06 for the vids
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To Why do you store your vette during winter?

Old Oct 29, 2008 | 06:05 PM
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I drive mine year round. But then again, I dont get that stuff you call snow either.
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 06:16 PM
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I bought mine used in 2004 and have driven it every winter up here since then. I have no intention of selling this car, so I don't care if the value of it has dropped since I put so many miles on it (approaching 100k any day now) or if it's not 100% perfect underneath because of being winter driven. For me, I simply enjoy driving the car too much to put it away. I won't drive it in deep snow, but it goes just fine through the light snow up here. There usually are only 4 or 5 days each winter when I don't drive the car, the rest of the time I continue using it as my daily driver.

A lot of people (that don't know Corvettes) still think mine is a brand new car, so obviously winter driving hasn't hurt the car too much.
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 06:23 PM
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Oh and FYI, I have driven my corvette in snow, rain, hail and sunny conditions and am proud to say that it has not been affected by them in the least!! As long as common sense is a part of your daily mindset then you will be fine. I used the factory run flats in the snow and NO trouble. That included the highway also not to mention the near zero visibility and winds generated by the snow storm.

I think the guys a Chevrolet actually considered that the weather changes sometimes.

-Alex
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