Spring Driving

[wgerow]

On a warm spring like day when the roads are dry do you drive your car, even if you know there hasn't been a lot of rain (to wash away sand and salt) since the last snow storm?

I know lots of folks on here drive their cars in the snow, rain, etc....mostly curious about the folks in winter climates, who perfer to keep their cars dry, that are itching to get cars out on that first warm day, even though they know it was winter not too long ago.....do you go for it if the roads are dry or do you patiently wait for a couple of rain storms to wash away the winter debris?

[Macroni]

Drove mine (Ivory) Sunday and yesterday..... early season driving tends to bring fewer motorists to contend with..... As far as salt..... this car has already been restored once......

[porschenut]

I drive mine even when the road isn't dry. It's not a museum piece. It was made to withstand the harsh winter climate of northern Europe. It will certainly withstand the mild Colorado winters. When it gets dirty, I wash it. I can't see a reason to treat it any differently than any other car.

[redstrosekNic]

I always wait until a good rain to wash all the salt off the roads before I drive my Porsches. I don't drive my cars while the roads are wet.

NE Ohio is getting lots of rain now, so I will be taking my cars out by the end of next week if everything goes as planned with them.

[andyt11]

I'm itching to get out. (New m&K to listen to)

Still maybe as long as 6 weeks though here until the snow goes, although it's been a really mild winter this year and some of the main roads are already fine.

There is a lot of sand and salt around though. It will probably be 8-10 weeks before they sweep all the streets though so it'll just be a case of wait for a couple of good rain storms and then get out and keep away from other vehicles kicking stuff up.

My car isn't a museum piece either, but I try not to put it away dirty and I make a lot of effort to avoid door dings and stone chips etc...

I'm hoping to have it around for a lot of years.

[nealf2002]

I have driven my cars all year so far, even though my SC is galvanized. I also have two old Bimmers and am much more concerned about their metal holding up. Have driven them also here in the Phila suburbs. Saw an aquaintence today who owns a 1961 one- off Ferrari NART spider (7-8 figure value) and he was talking about taking that out as well..

[canamfan]

I just can't stand to let it sit for too long, I've had the good fortune of a heated garage & hoist so I restored the undercarriage & wheel wells, all associated componants (painted calipers nicely, lubed where I could etc.) soooo.......it only deserves to be driven because I always clean it well & make sure the underneath & wheel wells etc. are all very clean, especially the polished rims, they are the ones that need the most attention but again I stay right on top of it . Yeah, it's been a mild winter too so I don't mind driving it, I've had it out since Dec. & am lovin it while preserving it (as they say, for the next owner , well atleast for my pleasure)!

[Nevergrowup]

I took mine for a 430 mile roadtrip last weekend. From Drammen in Norway to Kvitfjell, a ski resort past Lillehammer, spent the night, and a detour to pickup my oldest who sat in the rear seat among the luggage for 75 miles.

Winter tires, skis on the roof and full of stuff I managed on one tank of gas. Still not cheap, about 150 dollars for 65 liters.



Crossing the bridge over Mjøsa, the biggest lake in Norway.


Checking... yes, skis still in place...



Not many 911s at the parking lot...



Back home, without missing a beat.

[Driver_X]

As long as the roads aren't white with salt, I'm driving....

[bigel]

There's penty of other times throughout the year to drive my Porsche and damn it, if I choose not to drive it in the nasty winter months then that's my choice. Right?

I don't understand why some people out there get so indignant about garaging the car and not exposing it to what we consider a 'harsh' environment. I don't care if the car "can take it." I don't choose to do so...

Sorry for the rant...maybe I need to switch to a blended scotch...

[Nevergrowup]

Yeah, I don't think I'll be at my death bed regretting having driven my Porsche too much...

[wgerow]

Originally Posted by Nevergrowup

I took mine for a 430 mile roadtrip last weekend. From Drammen in Norway to Kvitfjell, a ski resort past Lillehammer, spent the night, and a detour to pickup my oldest who sat in the rear seat among the luggage for 75 miles.

Winter tires, skis on the roof and full of stuff I managed on one tank of gas. Still not cheap, about 150 dollars for 65 liters.

Nice........about $8.80 per US Gallon. Yikes!

[Oh Haha]

Nevergrowup-those are cool pics. It's great to see a 911 being used as a car and not a fragile collectible.

I'll be finishing up the maintenance on my SC tonight or tomorrow. The weather here has been warm so I'm start driving it sooner than I have in years past.

[wolf76]

Due to the warmer than usual winter I didn't really put mine away this winter. I avoided the roads when they salted which only seemed to be a few times. I saw this M1 at a local cars and coffee gathering last weekend.



Chris

[ArchHibb]

Spring-like temps in Boston today demanded some 911 exercise!

[Arne2]

Originally Posted by porschenut

I drive mine even when the road isn't dry. It's not a museum piece. It was made to withstand the harsh winter climate of northern Europe. It will certainly withstand the mild Colorado winters. When it gets dirty, I wash it. I can't see a reason to treat any differently than any other car.

This. While my Porsche is not my daily driver, I do drive it year-round, most any time there's not snow or ice on the road. Yes, it gets wet and dirty. I can deal with that.

[wgerow]

Broke mine out of the stable tonight. Scouted some nice dry roads on the way home from work, nice to be back in the saddle. Its bound to snow now

[911dean]

I won't take mine out untill there's no salt on the roads. Salt gets into everything. Luckily for me, my other car is a bmw e46 wagon 5 speed w/sport package. I also have a company service truck for work so the wagon doesn't even see daily driving. The wifes car, now thats another story. Having said all that, I'm dying to drive the 911.
Dean

[1985RedTarga]

No Salt, no problems!! Wet, maybe yes, maybe no. But then again my 911 has been a desert car for all of it's life expect for the last 3 months here in Ohio and it's an 85. I agree that that we should preserve them, but then again they have to driven.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Nevergrowup

Yeah, I don't think I'll be at my death bed regretting having driven my Porsche too much...

Amen. While salt isn't often an issue in NC, I live on a dirt road; mine sees dirt, dust, mud and rain as part of the deal. I am 60 now and plan to slide into homeplate in about 25 more years with a worn out motorcycle and a well-used 911. They're not investment pieces for me, just great tools for getting from here to there.

Polls say most of you here are much younger than 60. You may reasonably take a more cautious view on the expendability of an automotive investment if you're not independently wealthy. What can I say? Don't mind my dirty car and spray when I fly by - I have excellent rain tires and I'll wash the little guy when I get a chance.