Wintering in CT with a 911?

djmcmath · 02-24-2005, 01:33 PM

I'm trying to make a decision, and I need a bit more information from the experienced folks on this board. It's looking more and more like the Navy will probably want me in Connecticut for this coming winter (October to February). From there, I'll move to somewhere else -- either Norfolk, Pearl Harbor, or stay in CT.

My current thought is to dump my beater Honda before I move, then put a roof rack on the 911 for the cross country move, and live out of the base hotel for 6 months with snow tires on the Porker for daily transportation in the snow and ice of CT. When I get confirmation of where I'll be going for sure, then I can make more solid plans about a more long-term daily driver.

So the questions -- is it stupid to drive a 911 on CT's winter roads? Do they put nasty Porsche-eating chemicals on their roads? Would Blizzaks and a Paris-Dakar ride height be a realistic means of transportation? Is it stupid to think I could move cross-country with ~500lbs of stuff in the Porker (I'd obviously have a roof rack), in October? Does anyone have a better plan? I'm all ears...

Thanks in advance,

Dan

greglepore · 02-24-2005, 01:56 PM

Yes to the nasty chemicals. Everywhere in the NE. I'd consider shipping the 911 and driving the Honda. You could likely ship the 911 for under a grand-or fly me out and I'll drive it out here for 'ya.

rcecale · rcecale's Garage

Dan,

If it comes down to it, you can always rent a u-haul and tow the p-car on a trailer. That way, you wouldn't necessarily have to limit yourself to 500 lbs.

Randy

djmcmath · 02-24-2005, 04:16 PM

Hmmm, bummer about the road-nasties. Realistically, that means I'd be better off without the 911 over there at all -- at least until I know with some certainty where I'm going.

Randy -- good thought, but the 500lb limit isn't so much cargo capacity as it is living space. The Navy will put me in a Susse Chalet (read: extra cheap hotel) on base for the training. That weight is an estimate based on last time I did this silliness. If this was some kind of logical move sequence, the u-haul is definitely the way I'd go.

Thanks again,

Dan

Beethoven · 02-24-2005, 05:42 PM

Dan,
your original thought was just right. Hey, that's what makes our Navy great. Dump the nasty beater, and drive the Porsche cross-country. Why not? With Blizzaks and some weight youll be better off than most 4x4s.

Have the car waxed and buffed thoroughly. Once East, you need to find a car wash that power-washes the undercarriage and the wheel wells.

The one thing that's important is that you drive the car until it's warmed up when you start it in the winter--none of these 2-mile hops.

Way to go!

Hugh R · 02-24-2005, 07:06 PM

I couldn't disagree more with driving the pcar in CT in the winter. Anyone whose driven extensively in areas with salted roads will tell you that its cancer to the car. Galvanized or not. Everything rots or rusts. A $1K beater is way cheaper in the long run. I drove my Aston Martin for one winter in Boston and years later found rust and rot in places you can't get to (rocker panels). Dirt and salt sat for years, only to be re-activated, in the rocker panels in southern california after a few rains.

M.D. Holloway · 02-24-2005, 07:21 PM

djmcmath: Navy huh - means that you will be at the sub base in Groton? I grew up in that area - the salt is killer but managable if you can rinse it off. You will be getting the tail end, has been known to ice and snow into Aprl. My Targa was a CT car - she is galv but still has developed a tad rust due to her years up North. If you are assigned to Groton, drop me a PM, I can direct you to mucho things in that area. My old man was with NUSC Underwater Warfare in New London for 36yrs, know some great jaunts and so forth.

djmcmath · 02-24-2005, 07:44 PM

Mike -- I'll be sure to keep you posted as I get closer to moving out there. I've done a couple of short stints in Groton before, but never long enough to call it home.

The rust is honestly enough to scare me away. If I was driving an old rusty beetle, or a car that I knew had rust, or even a car that I knew was a throwaway (like a Honda) I'd be ok with a little rust. But with this car, I've gone to an awful lot of effort to find and repair any possible future rust locations. I'm the guy who routinely (like once a month, or shortly after any rough drive) picks up his car to patch any new scrapes in the undercoating. I'm really struggling with the idea of taking my beautiful mistress on roads that are known to cause critical long-term problems. I'm leaning towards leaving the Porsche with my parents in Idaho, then driving the Honda cross-country. If I get to stay in Groton, I'll buy a house and move the p-car out in the spring -- after the roads are cleaned up.

Thanks again for all the help and ideas, everyone.

Dan

M.D. Holloway · 02-24-2005, 07:56 PM

The rods (I-95 and rt32) are bad - that alone would mess your suspension. I do know a p-car mechanic there who knows his stuff. Your best bet, if you can live without her is to keep it in Idaho.

As far as house are concerned, some parts of Groton are nice -Long Point for instance, but other parts are rough. Don't get near the Pfizer plant, the fermenting molasses stinks for miles! New London has some gems on Montauk ave, Ocean Ave and Peaquat (sp) ave, check out some of the little towns like Cesterfield, Mossup, Yantic, Uncisville, Montville for bargins. Towns that are real nice but a bit pricey are Waterford, East Lyme, Niantic, Lyme/Old Lyme, Mystic. The town that will give you fits with traffic is Ledyard (due to Foxwoods casino).