Old Goat MN

I will start with a disclaimer that I am a new Vette owner and do not have all of the knowledge that many of you have but I have a question after reading thru multiple posts on winter driving. (ok, maybe more of an opinion than question)

Living in Minnesota definitely has its drawbacks when it comes to winter. Usually a ton of snow (not this year) and it seems like the salt, brine and sand is either feast or famine on the roadways. So why would you not take your car out and enjoy it if the roads are relatively clear and salt free when the temps are above 40? I bought my C7 to fulfill a life long dream of having a true american icon to drive around. I hate having to park it in the garage and with temps this next weekend expected to hit 50 it will be coming out of storage. I understand that there may be some salt residue on the roads but I bought the car to drive and not to look at. I don't have the patience to clean the underside like I have seen some of you do (my hat is off to those of you that polish the underside of your car) nor do I expect to have my car be a 30 year old masterpiece being auctioned off for high $$$. Never driving it unless it is a perfect 70 degrees with no clouds in the sky seems like the same thing as buying the best ATV or side by side and not taking in the mud and water because it will get dirty. I am not trying to tick anyone off with this but curious as to why some are so adamant about it and why some think you should be taken out back and dismembered for doing it?

OzarkCorvetteGuy

You sound like me but thankfully I'm in Arkansas. I don't have the knowledge of what all is done to the roads up there but I think I would regularly go to a car wash and spray up underneath to remove residual salt particles.

lakemg

For me, it's way more fun to drive it around with the windows down. In 40, 50, 60 degree temps, that's still a little chilly for me. Other than that, I have no problem driving it in the colder temps as long as it is warm enough for the tires to grip and the streets are free of salt residue.

mksz51

Old Goat - some of us have different perspectives and desires - it's as simple as that. I'm happy to not judge you and would just ask the same in return. I have a 2014 I obtained in December 2013 - it's resting comfortably in the garage with 3100 miles on the odometer. Next to it in the garage are a Mercedes SUV and a relatively new Chevy Colorado - both better suited to inclement weather in my mind.

rkhegler

I live in Nebraska and drive my C7 whenever I can. This winter has been exceptionally mild with very little snow, although we have had a couple of episodes of ice. When the roads are clear, meaning no ice or snow, I take it out and drive it.

I owned a C5 garage queen for about 15 years. Took it to car shows and club events. However, when I purchased my 2015 Stingray, told the wife we were going to drive it like a normal car. I am 72 years old and am not going to obsess about getting it dirty. If it rains, I drive it. As far as salt and chemicals on the under side, (and we have plenty) I will just live with it. I keep the exterior clean, wax and detail, as well as the interior and engine bay. Not going to worry about much else. I love the car and the ride, and by damn, I am going to enjoy it.

By the way I changed the tires to all season. Never like the look or ride or the factory tires.

Nybbler

I drive mine except when there's snow on the roads. But I won't criticize those who store their cars for the winter. I live in the St. Louis area, so I see only mild winters. It doesn't snow often, so i can drive my car quite a bit. The car does get dirty looking, but I didn't get the car to show it off, I got it to have fun driving it.

Corgidog1

No big deal to take off the battery tender and remove the newspaper wads from my exhausts so I drive it when it is nice and roads do not have salt in NJ. Just got 8 inches of snow so it will be awhile before I drive it again.

terryp

I live in Alberta, Canada, and drive mine year round. Took off the front air dam, and put on Pirrelli Sottozeroes all around for winter driving, and never had a problem. We have had the most snow in February in 20 years, you should have seen the numbers of people taking pictures of my car driving yesterday. When I had my Porsche Caymen, I let it sit for the first winter and it drove me crazy!

MikeyTX

My suggestion would be to find a good, drive through touchless car wash that does not have the metal guide rails anchored to the floor. Both of the ones near me have the undercarriage wash. I do not have your issue per se but the Dallas-Ft. Worth area does treat the bridges in freezing weather with a spray solution and they do use sand and salt when need be. I also bought a good set of race ramps. This allows me to raise our cars up on them far enough to spray the undersides if need be.

sTz

A search feature can add to your research. Here's a recent similar thread: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...and-drive.html

Personally, i have several vehicles. I prefer to drive a 4X4 truck or AWD SUV in inclement weather, and my Vette or motorcycle in nice weather.

When, where, and what others drive is inconsequential to me

hangman

Have several vehicles, so the Vette waits it's turn to be driven.

cor66vette

Copy that.

Stein

Exactly about perspective & desires. I also have 2014 obtained in Dec of 2013 it's resting in the garage, but with 21,000 miles on the odometer.

Old Goat MN

Just to clarify, I am not saying anything negative about those who choose to garage their machines. I am just curious why so many think it is pure evil to drive it.

AdventurePoser

Fortunately Oregon doesn't use salt, but the state does lay down gravel. And here on the coast we contend more with lots of rain, wind, and mud. It's been a pretty tough winter, much more so than the last couple of years.

Many garage their cars during the winter. I think that whatever makes you most comfortable in ownership of your car, you should do.

I still drive mine as often as possible, even though the car spends most of it's life very dirty! I say drive your car when it's safe and comfortable for you. The darn thing was too expensive to just let it sit in the garage all winter, LOL!

Have fun with your new car no matter how and when you drive it!

6spdC6

I live in the mountains of Norther NYS and garage my car about 6 months a year! We can and do get snow in feet not inches!

I normally have a Vert and really prefer to do top down driving as much as I can.

Another thing that hardily gets brought up when talking about winter driving and the sand and salt issue is collision damage. Its probably not going to be your fault but that stuff is very slippery and once down (at least in my area) its there till the spring rains wash it away. Of course each time we get snow or freezing rain they add much more.

What can and has happened is some Kamikaze will be going too fast on a no snow/Ice road but with plenty of sand/salt and will slide into you. Not your fault but yours is banged up. No thanks not for me, during bad weather I drive my 4x4 pick up, and my Vette is in a garage under a cover with the tender on.

4thC4at60

I'm 75 and got a heart condition - I'm not going to drive it or the Ferrari? Hahahahahahaha

Now put but about 15-16K per year on C7, 10K a year on the F-car.

600,000 miles in Vettes over the past 27 years

To quote myself: "No one on his death bed ever said I wish I'd driven the Corvette less."

Maxpowers

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LIStingray

Many of us do so - the biggest problem is that often Mother Nature doesn't cooperate. That is doubly true for people like me who can only use the Corvette on weekends.
This past week it was clear and 60 degrees Wednesday (had to work, and I take mass transit to NYC), but Thursday we got 14" of snow and temps dropped down to 17 degrees - yesterday was back up to 40, but the side roads are still ice covered and today it is 29 degrees and sleeting.
Last time the C7 was out was 3 weekends ago, and before that the weekend after Christmas. Hasn't been a tough winter, but we still have gotten 35"+ of snow and yo-yoing temperatures.
As an aside, the C7 in 40-50 temperatures when it is raining is just miserable - like driving a regular car on icy roads because you can't get heat into the tires.

GR Jay

Can you show an example where someone stated it was "pure evil" to drive a Corvette in less than perfect conditions? I've only been on this forum for a month or so but in my limited time I haven't come across a thread like that.