Driving Corvette all year 'round?

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Paneat Antenam - 30 Jan 2005 22:36 GMT

Many Corvette owner seem to use the beauty just as a summer's toy,
having a "real" car for wintertime. Is there a problem driving a
Corvette in winter? Winter tires not available or too expensive? Too
powerful and uncontrollable on snowy or icey roads? The body is still
plastic and therefore rust should not be a problem. I'm kind of dislike
the thought of having a car for every single season.

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SkyhawkXP - 30 Jan 2005 23:16 GMT

Our 94 handled well in snowy weather when caught out, but it was
always more of a worry about other drivers hitting/sliding into the
car. But this happened when the roads were dry so I guess our worries
were unwarranted. http://www.iwaynet.net/~opaa2/vette.jpg
http://www.iwaynet.net/~opaa2/vette2.jpg
http://www.iwaynet.net/~opaa2/vette3.jpg

The body is still

>plastic and therefore rust should not be a problem.

Still a lot of items underneath to corrode.

I'm kind of dislike

>the thought of having a car for every single season.

I personally would like a different car for every day of the
week...but I am weird that way. <g>
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SkyhawkXP
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Dad - 30 Jan 2005 23:44 GMT

> I personally would like a different car for every day of the
> week...but I am weird that way. <g>
> --
> SkyhawkXP
> Remove SPAM when replying via email

How did that break the back glass? How did the airbags treat you?

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Dad
05 C6 Silver/Red 6spd Z51
72 Shark Black/Black/4spd

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SkyhawkXP - 31 Jan 2005 02:34 GMT

>> I personally would like a different car for every day of the
>> week...but I am weird that way. <g>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
>How did that break the back glass? How did the airbags treat you?

It was Mrs. Skyhawk. From what we could tell, it popped out due to
the frame forming a diamond shape, or twisting. Also cracked both
quarter panels. The airbags "sunburned" the inside of her wrists, and
she complained of the smell (10 year old talc?). The right one (cover
door) pretty much takes out the windshield though..adding to the cost
of repair.
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SkyhawkXP
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Dad - 31 Jan 2005 02:45 GMT

>>> I personally would like a different car for every day of the
>>> week...but I am weird that way. <g>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> SkyhawkXP
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But you are both ok now? That's what counts.

As a point of interest the C6 has no passenger airbag door, it just rips out
thought the dash. I'm sure that won't add to the repair cost.

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Dad
05 C6 Silver/Red 6spd Z51
72 Shark Black/Black/4spd

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SkyhawkXP - 31 Jan 2005 02:57 GMT

>But you are both ok now? That's what counts.
>
>As a point of interest the C6 has no passenger airbag door, it just rips out
>thought the dash. I'm sure that won't add to the repair cost.

Thanks..I wasn't along for the ride, but she is doing fine. Just a
big bruise on the thigh...that is finally healing. The car took the
bullet for her. I noticed in our newly acquired C5 (2000) they
changed the airbag door also. If it flips up like the C4, it should
hit the grab bar.
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SkyhawkXP
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Dad - 30 Jan 2005 23:29 GMT

> Many Corvette owner seem to use the beauty just as a summer's toy,
> having a "real" car for wintertime. Is there a problem driving a
> Corvette in winter? Winter tires not available or too expensive? Too
> powerful and uncontrollable on snowy or icey roads? The body is still
> plastic and therefore rust should not be a problem. I'm kind of dislike
> the thought of having a car for every single season.

So if you don't want one for a single season then drive it for all seasons,
I do and have since 1956. By the way I live in the snow belt and seldom have
been stuck in the snow that I couldn't get out by myself and never run snow
tires. I also think the SUV thing is a joke and have never had a 4 wheel
drive and never will. All cars are controllable, now if you're talking real
ice on the road, no vehicle is a sure bet for good control without studs.
You have recognized some of the things that effect the drivability of a
vehicle and if you remember that and drive accordingly you will do OK.
That's assuming you use your head and properly recognize the road conditions
in Switzerland. Snow tires for the C5 were tested there in 1997 if you
can't drive without them, get a set.

Having what you want to call a "real" car is a whole different subject.

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Dad
05 C6 Silver/Red 6spd Z51 Drove it today, 8" of snow on the ground.
72 Shark Black/Black/4spd

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ZombyWoof - 31 Jan 2005 02:16 GMT

>Many Corvette owner seem to use the beauty just as a summer's toy,
>having a "real" car for wintertime. Is there a problem driving a
>Corvette in winter? Winter tires not available or too expensive? Too
>powerful and uncontrollable on snowy or icey roads? The body is still
>plastic and therefore rust should not be a problem. I'm kind of dislike
>the thought of having a car for every single season.

Well I live in Virginia and our snow is somewhat far & few between.
If I don't think I can make it when it does hit I call in sick. The
traction control on my `95 actually makes it easier to drive in the
snow that any other RWD vehicle I've ever owned.

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"Either kill me or take me as I am,
because I'll be damned if I ever change..."

The Marquis de Sade

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