(Poll) Winter down-time?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 745
Likes: 1
From: Denver Colorado
Originally Posted by Wayne O
I live in Arizona....fortunately I can drive my Corvette 365 days a year. I've met Vette owners from Wisconsin and Illinois that (must sadly) keep their Vettes in the garage all winter long.
I'm just curious how many Corvette owners keep their cars garaged for the entire season compared with those that can drive year-round?
*I've never setup a poll before so I hope this works out
I'm just curious how many Corvette owners keep their cars garaged for the entire season compared with those that can drive year-round?
*I've never setup a poll before so I hope this works out
I bought my Vette to drive. Have driven it in the snow many times. No big deal for me. Only when it is icy, and I know the Vette has bad traction on ice, will I drive the truck.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
We lived in Minnesota and owned vettes for about 30 years. Wide tires, light rearends and big hp don't match up well with 'black' ice and hard packed snow. Even with positraction and very focused driving, it's dancing with a pig on ice.
At the same time, salt on the streets where we lived could eat your frame and suspension, even if you attempted to wash it often (hard to do when it's -30 outside).
During those years, the vettes went into a dry, closed garage from November to May.
Today, we drive our vette year round in Northern California. Sun and rain don't have the same potential for destroying a frame that snow and ice have.
At the same time, salt on the streets where we lived could eat your frame and suspension, even if you attempted to wash it often (hard to do when it's -30 outside).
During those years, the vettes went into a dry, closed garage from November to May.
Today, we drive our vette year round in Northern California. Sun and rain don't have the same potential for destroying a frame that snow and ice have.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
I moved from Nebraska to Texas just so I could buy a Corvette and drive it all year long!! 
But...even if I were still in Nebraska, I would STILL drive my new C6 every day-winter, spring, summer, or fall.
I am in LOVE!!
But...even if I were still in Nebraska, I would STILL drive my new C6 every day-winter, spring, summer, or fall.
I am in LOVE!!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 12,999
Likes: 1
From: Youngstown Ohio
A miracle happened last winter. Almost no snow at all! So I was able to drive my C6 all winter long. Generally though I'll drive it durning the winter as long as the snow doesn't exceed 3 inches. Actually the C6 handles great in the snow (with standard gy emt's). Our cars are not front end heavy like most rwd cars. Because of the near 50/50 weight distribution they handle more like a mid-engine car. One evening last winter while driving home afterwork it started snowing. It didn't stop until 2 inches had accumulated on the road. So I'am driving up a hill with no problems at all. However I did notice fwd and rwd cars going sideways up the same hill.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,412
Likes: 1,295
From: Bluffton, SC
Can't vote in this one
It's not an either/or propostion. I try not ot let my car sit idle for too long, even through the long and harsh New Hampshire winters. So, yes, if I can, I will drive the C6 if the roads are clear of snow and ice and the temperatures are above zero. That doesn't mean I can drive it 365 days a year...I can't.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 35,749
Likes: 148
From: Northern NYs Adirondack Mountains,http://www.visitsacandaga.com.
Sand and salt on the road up here = a sandblasted overly salted car (any car/truck) Sand can do a job on the skin of a vechicle.
Salt, can get those nice wheels and underneith stuff.
As I like driving with top down, the car is in garage for months.
I have 3 other vechicles to drive in winter (all 4x4s) Their the best thing for the mountain area I live in.
Salt, can get those nice wheels and underneith stuff.
As I like driving with top down, the car is in garage for months.
I have 3 other vechicles to drive in winter (all 4x4s) Their the best thing for the mountain area I live in.
Thread Starter
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
Thanks guys....I appreciate everyone's participation and comments. Even with those snowbelt owners that drive their Vettes all season weather permitting, I was surprised to see the poll results as close as they are.
I imagine after keeping it garaged for a long period, taking it out at the first weather break must be sort of like Christmas morning.
Thanks again!
I imagine after keeping it garaged for a long period, taking it out at the first weather break must be sort of like Christmas morning.
Thanks again!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 351
Likes: 1
From: North Richland Hills TX
Originally Posted by Wayne O
Thanks guys....I appreciate everyone's participation and comments. Even with those snowbelt owners that drive their Vettes all season weather permitting, I was surprised to see the poll results as close as they are.
I imagine after keeping it garaged for a long period, taking it out at the first weather break must be sort of like Christmas morning.
Thanks again!
I imagine after keeping it garaged for a long period, taking it out at the first weather break must be sort of like Christmas morning.
Thanks again!
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 166
From: Metro Detroit - miss FL
You guys that are afraid to drive in sand and salt better not move to Florida.......we have that 365 days a year. When I lived in Michigan I drove a 1969 427 everyday (never got it stuck)... just have to learn how to drive in the snow and slop.
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 16,500
Likes: 2,384
From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
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Originally Posted by richhoff
Winter is the very best time to drive in south Alabama. Sure beats todays 95 degrees and 90% humidity.
Same here in NW Florida.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,282
Likes: 2
From: Deerfield, Illinois Turn On, Turn In, Track Out
Hmmm... did I drive it this winter?
I guess I did! All-season F1s and seat heaters go a long way. Driving my beater (1999 Mazda w/94k miles) is cruel and unusual punishment; it's only for deep snow.
I guess I did! All-season F1s and seat heaters go a long way. Driving my beater (1999 Mazda w/94k miles) is cruel and unusual punishment; it's only for deep snow.