Lesser of sins

[kach22i]

Which is the lessor of sins...................

A. Driving a Boxster through the salt filled roads of a Michigan winter.

B. Driving a 1977 911s through the salt filled roads of a Michigan winter.

Note-1: The only rust on the "77" is small spots when you open the door, that curved part between the sill and jamb (been fixed).

Note-2: I have a 1990 Geo Tracker that I bought new when I was a student, rust has killed the old gal - had 6-year rust through clause (now at 15 years old). Time for her to be put to sleep.

[Doug&Julie]

Well, right now there are far more Boxsters around than '77 911s, so I would say driving a Boxster in winter is the lesser of sins. Not to mention, I think the Boxster would stand up better than the 911 over many winters. Not just because of better rust protection, but more parts are "plastic" and not even bothered by salt, etc.

Then throw in that the Boxster will simply handle the winter better (better weight distribution, ABS, possibly traction control, etc.) and I think it's a no brainer.

Less "sin" on the car. Less "sin" on the driver. The Boxster is the one.

[Doug&Julie]

Obligitory Boxster in winter pic:

[AFJuvat]

Ahhh memories of growing up in the Detroit area...

I had a 1975 914 that the salt ate up. The chassis would actually flex when you applied the brakes.

Drive the boxster. Rinse of the engine and suspension from time to time, you'll be fine.

AFJuvat

[Ferrara_racing]

plastic back windows and winter are a poor mix, not to mention the "R" factor of canvas Vs metal and glass... Why not buy a rat, after all you live in Michigan there were plenty there when I was camping in Ann Arbor...

[kach22i]

I have never seen a rat in Ann Arbor, but there is the Huron River running just north of downtown (could be river rats), and in the summer the homeless people set up make shift tents. I'll look for the Ferrara racing banner this year.

Just kidding.

I talked to a Boxster driver at lunch, she spent her first winter in Florida and is back in Michigan (semi-retired). She has driven her Boxster in the winter (a little bit - it does well), but hates to because of the salt.

[Doug&Julie]

I can tell you my first car, an '88 944 n/a, was used as my only driver for over five years here in the midwest (mostly Indy). I had great success with using the do-it-yourself spray-off kind of car washes on any good day in the winter to wash off the salt as much as possible. Then, obviously, when the weather turned good again, take the time for a thorough cleaning at home. But anyway...when I sold my 944 (with 150k miles) it still had excellent shine and absolutely no rust.

I guess I'm saying that, while not imune to rust, the newer cars really hold up well to the elements with minimal care.

[Ferrara_racing]

The body may hold up well but a rear window scraping, snow or ice removal will be folly. Not to mention seeing through it or keeping it clean of salt slush mixes, good luck...

[Sonic dB]

"dude"....I spent about 30 years of my relatively short life growing up and spending time in Michigan Winters...

Id drive neither in Michigan Winter. Get yourself a good Toyota 4 Runner or something! Michigan Winters are brutal!

[Doug&Julie]

Originally posted by Ferrara_racing
The body may hold up well but a rear window scraping, snow or ice removal will be folly. Not to mention seeing through it or keeping it clean of salt slush mixes, good luck...

It's actually not that bad. Something to consider, for sure. But it's not that bad. My first winter in this car was w/o a hard top. Not to mention the car sat outside the winter before at the dealership before I bought it. My top held up well and still looks good today.



Sorry for all the lint!

[kach22i]

My 14 year old Tracker has a vinyl back window, the top I have now is almost ten years old and in great shape. I remember seeing Trackers with terribly frosted back windows only a few years old at the time - just depends how you take care of them. The less you do (least aggresive cleaning) the better.