Winter Blues
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Winter Blues
I allowed myself to be talked into using my absollutely MINT 02 C4s as a daily winter driver and I'm not happy. I dropped $2150 on Pirelli 240's with wheels and they are fine--a bit noisey but that's not the issue.
My poor baby is now encrusted with crap that on sunny summer days I would never tolerate. I clean the windows daily and I know it's crying out because it's so damn dirty.
The wife tells me to get over it--reminding me it's only a car. I guess if it weren't so showroom perfect I could better deal with it.
I have a car dealer who does hand washes but that only lasts for a day, at best.
Surely I'm not the only one kicking myself for not picking up a winter beater but the other side of my brain tells me that the car loves the winter.
I have my doubts about that.
My poor baby is now encrusted with crap that on sunny summer days I would never tolerate. I clean the windows daily and I know it's crying out because it's so damn dirty.
The wife tells me to get over it--reminding me it's only a car. I guess if it weren't so showroom perfect I could better deal with it.
I have a car dealer who does hand washes but that only lasts for a day, at best.
Surely I'm not the only one kicking myself for not picking up a winter beater but the other side of my brain tells me that the car loves the winter.
I have my doubts about that.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
From: Spokane, Wa
The tough thing to deal with is the impact that salt, dirt/small rocks can have on any nice car, such as yours.
Keep washing it, if possible be selective on the days you take it out in winter.
I know how you feel, I have to keep mine put away, for the most part (owning a C4 would not change that, for me).
Keep washing it, if possible be selective on the days you take it out in winter.
I know how you feel, I have to keep mine put away, for the most part (owning a C4 would not change that, for me).
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 11,801
Likes: 16
From: Kittery, Maine
It is a hard line to cross but in the end you'll have more driving time in your car and you may get over the dirty/cleanliness thing because you'll be having so much fun. I continually struggle with the dirty car appearance, but the time behind the wheel makes up for it.
Race Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,897
Likes: 11
From: Suburban Philly
I allowed myself to be talked into using my absollutely MINT 02 C4s as a daily winter driver and I'm not happy. I dropped $2150 on Pirelli 240's with wheels and they are fine--a bit noisey but that's not the issue.
My poor baby is now encrusted with crap that on sunny summer days I would never tolerate. I clean the windows daily and I know it's crying out because it's so damn dirty.
The wife tells me to get over it--reminding me it's only a car. I guess if it weren't so showroom perfect I could better deal with it.
I have a car dealer who does hand washes but that only lasts for a day, at best.
Surely I'm not the only one kicking myself for not picking up a winter beater but the other side of my brain tells me that the car loves the winter.
I have my doubts about that.
My poor baby is now encrusted with crap that on sunny summer days I would never tolerate. I clean the windows daily and I know it's crying out because it's so damn dirty.
The wife tells me to get over it--reminding me it's only a car. I guess if it weren't so showroom perfect I could better deal with it.
I have a car dealer who does hand washes but that only lasts for a day, at best.
Surely I'm not the only one kicking myself for not picking up a winter beater but the other side of my brain tells me that the car loves the winter.
I have my doubts about that.
Last edited by Phil G.; Dec 23, 2007 at 10:05 AM.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 9,676
Likes: 345
From: CT
cars age... its a mass produced 996; there are more at the store. enjoy the car.
You can treat it like a piece of art or a functional art. functional art pieces will get dirty. i put on many layers of wax during the summer so it is protected in the winter. the smile i get from driving it is better than the one looking.
You can treat it like a piece of art or a functional art. functional art pieces will get dirty. i put on many layers of wax during the summer so it is protected in the winter. the smile i get from driving it is better than the one looking.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,676
Likes: 4
From: New City, New York
It is a hard line to cross but in the end you'll have more driving time in your car and you may get over the dirty/cleanliness thing because you'll be having so much fun. I continually struggle with the dirty car appearance, but the time behind the wheel makes up for it.
I HATE how this car looks dirty most of the time, but LOVE driving it. Had a handwash on Friday....loved the way it looked....all the nastiness easily came of the car. Can't wait for the next snow! Seriously, the car will clean up nicely, and think of all the extra $$ you are saving on possible car payments and insurance. This winter is the first time I haven't owned 2 or 3 cars for myself in almost 10 years. I'm down to the C4.....and I love my decision.
J
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 881
Likes: 18
From: MD
It's a car, not a priceless painting meant to be admired but not touched. What's the point of owning it but not driving it? Yesterday I was at a shopping center and saw a guy pull up and park an absolutely gorgeous GT3. He drove it to go shopping. You have a car that will perform in all weather conditions, IMHO you should use it, enjoy it, and clean it when you can.
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Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 18,084
Likes: 43
From: Winston-Salem, NC
gillie - look at the bright side. After you drive it the entire winter, your car will no longer be perfect and you can stop worrying about it being pristine! Then you can just enjoy deriving it!. Does that make you feel better? 
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 21,539
Likes: 195
From: IA
I keep hearing about the damage that salt, sand, and dirt does to cars in the winter and I don't buy it. "Dirty" isn't the same as "damaged", and I don't see why some people are so uptight about it. I'd drive my car more in the winter, but I have other choices and I'm too cheap to spring for winter tires.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 36
My '00 was winter driven by the previous owner, who was not particularly fanatical about maintenance. And I've seen the underside of my car. Good news for the hand-wringers: You can't tell. It looks just fine, with the only telltale sign that it's a northern car being that fasteners get a little gnarly. Easy fix... just replace them with stainless steel as you go along.
Meanwhile, I have to tell you, there seems to me to be real truth to the story that these cars "like" to be driven. I've never owned a car with an adaptive DME function that was so responsive or had such a range of parameters. Driving it every day, and making sure to give it a regular ration of WOT, I find the engine gets better mileage, throttle response is much better (no flat spot off idle anymore and it has that 'quicker' feeling), and it even idles more smoothly. More obviously, the battery stays strong and I find the engine lights off more quickly on startup. I'm sure some of the experts are going think I'm delusional, but I'm convinced that daily use actually brings out the mechanical character of the car. For me, the risk that the car is going to get some patina and the hassle of keeping it washed and getting the undercarriage steam cleaned in the spring are more than worth it.
Meanwhile, I have to tell you, there seems to me to be real truth to the story that these cars "like" to be driven. I've never owned a car with an adaptive DME function that was so responsive or had such a range of parameters. Driving it every day, and making sure to give it a regular ration of WOT, I find the engine gets better mileage, throttle response is much better (no flat spot off idle anymore and it has that 'quicker' feeling), and it even idles more smoothly. More obviously, the battery stays strong and I find the engine lights off more quickly on startup. I'm sure some of the experts are going think I'm delusional, but I'm convinced that daily use actually brings out the mechanical character of the car. For me, the risk that the car is going to get some patina and the hassle of keeping it washed and getting the undercarriage steam cleaned in the spring are more than worth it.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
BruceP - Every service manager I have ever spoken to have told me the cars that get driven run better then the garage queens. Of course the more you drive it, the more likely it is to need service. But my experience has always been that the car just feels stronger and runs better the more it is driven.
Washing is a small price to pay for the enjoyment of driving through the winter.
Washing is a small price to pay for the enjoyment of driving through the winter.
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 2
From: Stillwater, MN
I allowed myself to be talked into using my absollutely MINT 02 C4s as a daily winter driver and I'm not happy. I dropped $2150 on Pirelli 240's with wheels and they are fine--a bit noisey but that's not the issue.
My poor baby is now encrusted with crap that on sunny summer days I would never tolerate. I clean the windows daily and I know it's crying out because it's so damn dirty.
The wife tells me to get over it--reminding me it's only a car. I guess if it weren't so showroom perfect I could better deal with it.
I have a car dealer who does hand washes but that only lasts for a day, at best.
Surely I'm not the only one kicking myself for not picking up a winter beater but the other side of my brain tells me that the car loves the winter.
I have my doubts about that.
My poor baby is now encrusted with crap that on sunny summer days I would never tolerate. I clean the windows daily and I know it's crying out because it's so damn dirty.
The wife tells me to get over it--reminding me it's only a car. I guess if it weren't so showroom perfect I could better deal with it.
I have a car dealer who does hand washes but that only lasts for a day, at best.
Surely I'm not the only one kicking myself for not picking up a winter beater but the other side of my brain tells me that the car loves the winter.
I have my doubts about that.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
From: MA, the cradle of random driving
I allowed myself to be talked into using my absollutely MINT 02 C4s as a daily winter driver and I'm not happy. I dropped $2150 on Pirelli 240's with wheels and they are fine--a bit noisey but that's not the issue.
My poor baby is now encrusted with crap that on sunny summer days I would never tolerate. I clean the windows daily and I know it's crying out because it's so damn dirty.
The wife tells me to get over it--reminding me it's only a car. I guess if it weren't so showroom perfect I could better deal with it.
I have a car dealer who does hand washes but that only lasts for a day, at best.
Surely I'm not the only one kicking myself for not picking up a winter beater but the other side of my brain tells me that the car loves the winter.
I have my doubts about that.
My poor baby is now encrusted with crap that on sunny summer days I would never tolerate. I clean the windows daily and I know it's crying out because it's so damn dirty.
The wife tells me to get over it--reminding me it's only a car. I guess if it weren't so showroom perfect I could better deal with it.
I have a car dealer who does hand washes but that only lasts for a day, at best.
Surely I'm not the only one kicking myself for not picking up a winter beater but the other side of my brain tells me that the car loves the winter.
I have my doubts about that.