Is Chicago safe for my 911?

SLO-BOB · 03-06-2005, 07:38 AM

I'm heading down to Chicago from WI today (sunday/6th) to meet my sister from Denver, and hit the city for dinner, etc. It's very nice here and the roads are dry. The snow is melting, making it a little messy on some side streets, however. How about in Chicago? I would love to take the P-car, but I don't drive my car in the rain, let alone salt puddles, so a heads up is appreciated. TIA.

Also, is parking a problem? I'm staying at the Wyndham downtown. Any horror stories.

Food-we need food too

. Any recommendations for nice, casual dining d.t.?

PorscheGuy79 · PorscheGuy79's Garage

We have some downtowners that sound chime in about the downtown area, as for the north burbs, it couldnt be nicer today. If you get some P-car guys together for dinner, if there's a group i wouldnt mind making the trip in.

On a sid enote I got out of my car to come in for work...I hear a noise, oh a good noise, wow really good, holy cow...look up...$600,000 rolling dollars in the form of Ferrai's pinicle of excellent, a Enzo graces me with its presents and speeds away.

5axis · 03-06-2005, 07:45 AM

I'm out in the far, far west burbs and the roads have a nice dusty white coating of salt still. (some places have small piles of it) Today looks nice, but it will be a long while before my any of my toys hit the road.

My best guess/ call would be not to take the Porsche out just yet.

david 89 turbocab

Sonic dB · Sonic dB's Garage

Just dont allow the valet parking kids to get a hold of it and you will be ok....

oh...beware of chicago cabbies too

5axis · 03-06-2005, 07:53 AM

related note

I just remembered seeing a 996 turbo at my heath club last wed night. It was caked in greyish white roadgrime (salt). My best guess is that it was a lease. I should try and meet the owner and get a VIN so I never buy that one.

cyprusx · 03-06-2005, 08:41 AM

Keep you car in storage until after numerous rains wash the salt off of the roads... I guess it is up to you but my car does not see the rain nor will it ever see any salt as long as I own it... DON'T DO IT!!!

SLO-BOB · 03-06-2005, 09:00 AM

I don't know....if an ENZO can be out tooling around....

Nah-I'm talked out of it. Just gettin the itch to drive. Thanks for the info.

CRNT918 · 03-06-2005, 11:01 AM

It's a beautiful day! Come on down!

RoninLB · 03-06-2005, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sebring77

Also, is parking a problem? I'm staying at the Wyndham downtown. Any horror stories.

the life span of a 911 parked on the streets of NYC is about 45min. Does Chicago have freighters shipping to the Far East ?

porschenut · 03-07-2005, 04:12 AM

The danger of salt is way overhyped. Your 911 is no more at risk than any other car out there. People drive their Mercedes, BMWs, Ferraris and everything else year round, don't they? They're made of the same materials your 911 is made of - galvanized steel and aluminum alloy. Just keep the car washed. Salt would only be a problem if there is a great deal of it and you let it sit on the car all winter long season after season. I think more damage is done by letting it sit undriven. You all need to quit being girlie men about it and just drive the damn car.

SLO-BOB · 03-07-2005, 03:30 PM

Yeah-easy coming from a guy who doesn't have to worry about salt

. Are my suspension componants galvanized too? I'll keep being a girlie man and enjoy my car a little longer. Besides- I pile plenty of miles on the car in decent weather.

Actually the biggest danger to my car was valet parking, cabs and ambulances. Glad I took the bug. No way I'll drive the 911 there.

PS-parking overnight = $38. Seems kinda steep to a country boy such as myself

.

Jay Auskin · 03-07-2005, 05:23 PM

I live downtown. Valet park...just don't do it. There's plenty of self-park garages. Let's see....what else....just wait a second or two when the light turns green, someone might be blowing the red. Have the guy next to you dart out first. Kind of like waiting to see how cold the water is in the pool

The pluses...Lake Shore Drive on an early Sunday morning or late on a week night...breath taking! Maybe Lower Wacker Dr. to hear the exhaust echo...great stuff my friend!

I hope to see your car on the next trip

real550A · real550A's Garage

The danger of salt is way overhyped.

You're kidding, right?

Minnesota winter driver.

pwd72s · 03-07-2005, 07:33 PM

In the South side of Chicago, the badass part of town...

epbrown · 03-07-2005, 10:30 PM

Well, I had a disagreement with the retired lady whose garage I was renting (still annoyed by the sheer idiocy of it) and it was too late to find another garage so my Porsches spent the winter on the street in the Lakeview area of Chicago (see the "show your face" thread shot of me, page 3).

The 928 and 944 emerged unscathed, but the 911 continues its inexplicable prediliction for mishaps and ticking people off by its very existence: someone in an SUV or bigger backed into it and broke the driver's side headlight lens. In the last 5 years, the 911 has also had dirt thrown on it (I'm talking about 50 lbs or so), it's been keyed, some kids wedged a potato in the tailpipe (I live near a grammar school), and the antenna was broken off. In at least 2 cases, one of the other Porsches was right next to the 911 and remained unmoloested, and my previous car - a Rolls-Royce - sat on the same streets untouched.

Emanuel

SLO-BOB · 04:03 AM

Mike- That's what I"M talkin about-haha

. I bought a 320is (BMW parts) from Minneapolis that damn near broke in half from rust on my way home. I've spent a lot of time in Colorado and you'll never see a truck that looks like that there.

Emanuel-Your story made me physically ill. I'm sorry to hear that

. Maybe next year store your car up here in Wisconsin. I can hook you up for about $30 per month in a barn where I store my boat.

Jay-Next time I'll probably take the train. Driving wasn't too bad, but your advice on the green light delay is excellent

. On valet-We ate at Japanaise. I didn't see the valet cost on the sign. When I got my car back I handed him $3. He let's my sister in and runs very quickly back to my side to let me know the cost is $10-whoops. Little embarrassing. Also, I made the mistake of taking Cicero from Wilson down to Midway-WHAT A HUGE MISTAKE!! I saw more heroin soaked hookers in one drive than I've seen in my life. Scary stuff.

I had the greatest time in Chicago. It's a truly beautiful city (other than Cicero

). I lived there for four years when I went to DePaul so it was nice to visit old spots and see the new spots. I can't believe the changes. I could hang around the Michigan ave and lake areas for days on end. You even have cooler street people there! I got hit up for some change by a guy with a Shakespearean schtick ("M'lord and M'lady, perchance..."

). Had to give him something. I posted pics on the "More random pics" thread if you're interested.

sundaypunch · 03-08-2005, 04:45 AM

I'm getting hungry for a Demon Dog reading this thread

. I spent about 5 years in Lincoln Park while my wife was at DePaul. No 911 while I was there but I did have a car stolen off the street and some kind of vandalism about twice a year. I visit there frequently and can't seem to get out of the city without at least one dent or car door ding.

Lakeshore Drive and the expressways around town are great late at night as someone mentioned. I wouldn't have a problem visiting in a 911 now if it were a newer model. I don't think I'd take an early one in the salt even though it would likely be fine with a good washing.

porschenut · 03-08-2005, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sebring77
Yeah-easy coming from a guy who doesn't have to worry about salt. Are my suspension componants galvanized too? I'll keep being a girlie man and enjoy my car a little longer.

Actually in Colorado they lay down Magnesium Chloride, which I'm told is just as bad or worse. But, my point is that as long as you wash the stuff off regularly, you're probably better off driving it than letting it sit and dry out in your garage.

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by sundaypunch
I'm getting hungry for a Demon Dog reading this thread .

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) wants to demolish the DEMON DOG Hangout to build a new station at Fullerton.

Kinda of funny that the owner of Demon Dog was the manager for the rock group CHICAGO and CHICAGO was first known as the Chicago Transit Authority until the CTA told them to stop using the trademark.

http://www.chicagotheband.com/historychap05.htm

Chicago is a GREAT city but I wouldn't leave my PORSCHE or LOTUS park on the street over night.

Hey EPbrown you got to move out of that Yuppie neighborhood. Potatoes in the tail pipe, sound like a ripoff from Beverly Hill Cops.
My neighbor has a nice 3 bedroom house with a two car garage and one outdoor parking space for rent in the south loop area. It's probably the same amount of rent that you are paying for that yuppie neighborhood.

SLO-BOB · 03-08-2005, 06:15 AM

I know what you're saying Porschenut. I try to exercise the car a bit on dry days all year. However, we've had a lot of snow, salt, and then warm spells. That makes for a nice, briney underbody wash that get's into nooks and crannies. Only a forced underbody flush might get all that salt out. I don't like using pressurized water under my collector cars.

If I had a new 911 you can be sure I would drive it year round for a lot of reasons; better galvanizing, and better design, they make new ones everyday, not to mention having one probably means someone has a LOT more disposable income to spend on car repairs than I do. However, I just have my humble 77 that has managed to stay rust free for 28 years. I don't want to be the guy to ruin it.

I don't know about the effects of Magnesium Chloride on ferrous metals. I also think that is a recent thing in Colorado-I could be wrong. What I do know is that everytime I go out there, I drool over the rust free vintage iron running around all year. I only wish Wisconsin was like that. Trust me-I envy you.