ok, so I'm about to pull the trigger on a set of 18" rims with snow tires. I already am aware that summer tires in low temps are a bad idea, for safety and for the tire itself. For reference, my car is a 2005 C2S Cabrio w/55k miles on it. I stored the car this year from November until soon. I just got the car in September of 2021. Do I REALLY have to worry about salt? That's seems to be my main concern. I live in Chicago and we do get a decent amount of snow and ice and yes, salt. I have driven cars for about 35 years and never had a problem with salt ruining them, then again I've never driven a 16 year old car in salt. I do not have access to a hose during winter as the water freezes and causes all sorts of issues at my house with pipes breaking. Point being, rinsing off the car won't really be an option. Can I drive the car and be fine or not? And yes, I know I'm going to get varying answers but figure I'd ask anyway as I'd like to try and drive the car next winter and not have to get another (4th) car for the winter months. Thanks!

 

Being that it's a cab, I'd avoid driving it in the winter (and particularly in conditions where you're driving in salt spray from other vehicles). The soft top fabric will absorb the salt spray and be very difficult to clean come spring.

Also, be aware that it's a vehicle that's now 17 years old and the factory corrosion protection isn't quite as intact as it was when it left the factory.

If it's a clear day, the roads are dry, and you want to drive it, drive it. It's your car.

 

Thanks. Someone also suggested using Ziebart, a company that does undercarriage recoating...

 

If you care about keeping it rust free, don't drive it on salted roads, whether it is snow or watery snow melt. You will get corrosion. If you are minimally concerned and really want to drive it, wash it off whenever it has salty residue on it. All you have to do is drive around more rural parts of IL to see older cars on the road being actively eaten by rust. You can slow it by washing, or treatments, but it will eventually find its way.

 

Here's some additional reading material on the topic...

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...corrosion.html

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...ter-use-2.html

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...-question.html

 

Dammit! This is NOT what I wanted to hear but I completely get it. Guess I'm getting a Macan!

 

I drive my 07S Cab all year round here in the Northeast and just rinse off the salt from the underbody every 2 weeks or so. Have done the same with my Boxster that I had for 17 yrs. I don’t see a problem. I’m not saving this car for the next guy. I want to enjoy using it myself. Took it out today and have a ton of salt under it now. Pic from today. Will rinse it off tomorrow.

I have 2 other all wheel drive vehicles to use for bad weather too, but I don’t care. When it’s sunny outside on the weekend, the 911 comes out.

 

good point as well. Just not sure those do it yourself car wash places are open during the winter...

 

By me they are. If you can’t wash the underbody at all by you then yeah, I’d maybe consider not taking it out but otherwise, I’d get out and drive it.

 

There is a hand car wash place near me, I assume they can just spray underneath the car

 

2009 C2S 178K miles

I drive my C2S all year in Philly with snow tires. I drove my 2000 Boxster S for 197K miles in Philly all year with snow tires. Both cars were my only driver. I never had any problem at all except for some heat shields that rotted. On my C2S, the two little shields that cover the spark plugs started to rot so I replaced them and to be honest, I am not sure that was from salt... but OK, let's say that was salt... 178K miles and 13 years... um... there are no issues with salt and these cars. Other than that, I can find no problems related to salt on either car. I have no problem driving my car in salt, no worry, and I will continue to do it... although I just moved to Atlanta so that is probably all done for me.

Regarding the cab top, I had a hard top for my Boxster I used in the winter. But honestly, I feel the worst thing for a soft top is sun. Yea, I know, I am a contrarian but these are my experiences. I would treat the top with a protectant that has UV shield... I think I used to use 303 Aerospace ??? but not sure. Others with chime in here.

Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)

 

snow tires or all seasons for winter months I assume?

 

I go to those coin wash self wash places and just spray under the car really well. I apply Raggtopp convertible top protectant once or twice a year and never have had any issues with the cloth top.

 

I did Raggtopp a few months ago, great stuff

 

I drove my ‘07 997 cab in NJ and nearby states all year until I replaced it last year with a 992 cab. I never got winter tires, but had all-season tires and avoided driving when there was snow or ice on the road. Never had any problem with road salt on either the underside or the soft top (some years, I put a hard top on, but got bored with that).