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It's not just the "snow belt" it's the "rust belt" too obviously. You can't keep the salt from creeping into every little spot on the frame. Even carwashes with "under carriage" spray won't get it all off. IMHO it's a terrible thing to do unless you absolutely have no choice. It may never be a problem for you, but I pity the next person who buys it from you once the rust starts. A beater is best, but if finance is an issue, just do your best to keep it clean and drive VERY DEFENSIVELY.
Well i never planned on driving the vette in the snow but last week on my way home from Miami FLa. to the Cleveland area on wensday night i ran into the worse snow storm we have had for a long time. I was completely amazed at how well the car handled itself(being completely stock). When i would start to slide the traction controll/active handling would make it straighten right out. The horrible part was going around banked corners in 3inches of ice/snow and sliding down into the snow drifts and getting stuck at every stop. If i could afford snow tires for it i would drive it in the winter, just never in another blizzard/ice strom conditions.
How do you C-5 folks deal with winter driving? all that snow and slush, not to mention the dreaded salt trucks? How are C5's in the snow belt?
i've drove C4's all winter before, you need to keep flushing/spraying the bottom off (salt removal...a car wash hand sprayer takes it right off). then in the spring, give it a good scrubbing and touch up..... none of my cars had any significant corrosion, but they weren't NCRS judged/show cars either. I had a 92, that was driven 3 winters, that looked fine, but i thoroughly sprayed/washed the underside 2-3 times a week when exposed to salt.
i haven't drove my C5 in the winter, but the bottom looks much more "sealed" than older models.... a very nice design improvement.
I've drove my vette once in the snow, never again (if I can avoid it). Once those big meaty tires get their treads stuffed with snow, its like driving on grease. You've got to gently touch the throttle or else the back end will try to get away from you. Braking is not much better either. If you get alot of snow in the winter, you're better off getting a beater.