marine928

It occurred to me this morning while driving my 928 to work, that a milestone had occurred. Like a majority of 928 owners we tend to reserve taking our girls out for a drive only when conditions are optimum... Good weather, no gridlock, service and maintenance issues completed. Even then, there is a little reservation in the recesses of our mind that something might have been missed or we have a plan "b" ready just in case our little girl throws a temper tantrum.
We are a six car, two motorcycle family so there is never a " need a ride" issue if one vehicle goes down.
My normal daily driver is an 1994 Ford Explorer Sport which as been with me for 18 years. Up until this month, it has been pretty much bullet proof with only minor, typical issues. Recently for some unknown reason it will lose power especially when outside temps rise or I am sitting in stop and go traffic.
I have been driving my 928 for the past three weeks, every day weather permitting and this morning I realized the for the first time that I was driving it because because I felt it's as or more dependable then any other car I own. IRONIC

Moje911

I believe it would be ironic if you had depended on the 928 in situations that were not "weather permitting" such as an instance that the Ford would be considered the go-to car.
For example, a situation that required the attributes of an 4WD SUV rather THEN an antique sports car.

The irony is more that an 18 year old SUV is a daily driver, no? I think to have the expectation of the attributes of a "daily driver" as opposed to what you have been driving daily lis the real incongruity.

marine928

Well, weather permitting is more about not wanting to deal with cleaning mud and road debris from the undercarriage and recesses of my 928 rather than a dependability issue. The 928's were made to handle all conditions and Europeans have been driving them to ski resorts since their inception.
Water vs electrical is bad recipe for any antique especially the Exotic European variety.

Captain_Slow

I thought you were going to say the Explorer had TBF

Ninespub

I think its ironic that many (if not most) of us have luxury import and/or newer domestic cars, SUV's or trucks as daily drivers that stickered at 35-60K dollars (or more) and drive them in rain, sleet and snow with no second thoughts but WILL NOT drive their precious 8-15K 928 in any inclement weather, thereby denying themselves of the available pleasure and satisfaction. I drove my 928 for multiple years as my DD in Michigan winter weather with blizzack tires and went most places anybody else could. Why do we do this to ourselves?

marine928

marine928

The weather permitting does not just pertain to the 928's. I know many collectors that have vintage cars that are driven "weather permitting" while like many of us then drive our 40-60k newer vehicles in any condition. Its more about preservation vs precipitation...

marine928

NINES you make my point as well, these cars were engineered to be driven in ALL conditions...

joejoe

I sold my '73 2.0 914 last November. The gentleman I bought it from 10 years ago (he was second owner, had it since 1977) and had not been driven in rain since he owned it. I kept up that tradition with my ownership. The car had zero rust anywhere, none.

Now the 914 is a world apart from the 928, especially with the problematic rust issues that has taken its' toll on unknown numbers throughout the years, the 928 has its' own hidden problems that can stop them also prematurely. I have to admit I also only take my 928's out when fairly nice if possible.

marine928

I will be driving my 928 to the annual "Sharks in the Mountains" this year for the first time and will undoubtedly run into inclement weather. The shark can handle wet, it's the fins I worry about. 10 inch in rear, 8 inch in front, not exactly "all weather" tread either...

Jetdriver69

I had a ski rack for my 78 5 speed and took it into the Bavarian Alps many times while stationed in Germany. Yes I will drive a $70K X5 before the 82 928 just to preserve the miles , but it does get driven.

Bilal928S4

I have been driving my S4 as a DD for nearly 14 years. Never had a problem with dependability. A couple of times there was too much snow or ice on the ground so I had to leave it at the parking lot, but at that time a lot of other front drive cars were having the same problem.

marine928

You guys make me want to take my 928 to Siberia...

marine928

JET, 928 + ALPS...Priceless

Bonton

Ij'll tell you I especially like driving my '87 S4 when it's hazy and rainy. I take it a step further and play a CD (for goodness sake) of U2's Unforgettable Fire - it's really fitting. I'm not trying to go back in time but the act defies me - really - acting out a fantasy of a 17 year old.

I bear no shame at all. The haze, the music, the solidness and beauty of the car, lights up cutting through the weather really works for me.

Josh