Driving Convertible in the winter? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Valpo1 · 12-31-2014, 04:34 PM

I'm curious how many convertible owners drive their cars during the snowy winters or put them away for the winter and use a winter driver.

My previous convertibles were a 2009 Mustang GT and then a Mini Cooper S convertible. Both of the cars were stored in the garage for the winter. When I traded in those vehicles, I did not sense there was a noticeable increase in value of the cars because I tucked them away for the winter. Believe me, I know how harsh winter driving can be, but I'm not sure its worth the cost to own and insure an additional vehicle (my old winter driver died) for the winter. I love to keep all my cars nice, keep them washed and serviced, and keep them in a heated garage. I also love driving the Camaro and driving this type of car in the winter with the right tires does not concern me.
Im not sure how long I will keep this car, but it will only have to endure 2 winters here and then subsequent ones in Florida.

Just curious what other owners are doing.

united1 · 12-31-2014, 06:09 PM

If you don't plan on keeping it for the long haul just buy a set of winter tires and drive the hell out of it . Like you said it doesn't make a difference when you trade it in . Enjoy it .

Whoomba · 12-31-2014, 06:12 PM

It's my DD. Let's go.

theragtopguy · 01-01-2015, 01:59 AM

My DD also

LuckyZL-1 · 01-01-2015, 02:42 AM

I roll I didn't buy it as a hangar queen!

NickZ28 · 01-01-2015, 05:55 AM

been driving mine for the last 3 winters and getting ready for the 4th in Ohio!

Ryanbabz71 · 01-01-2015, 07:02 AM

Mine isn't a DD and sits. I have a 2010 Silverado. Just as fun to drive as it has the 6.2L V8

I am thinking of taking it out tomorrow before the rain hits this weekend. Should be fun with the stock tires in 30 deg weather

Ryan

hawk02 · 01-01-2015, 10:32 AM

Last year I bought some factory replica wheels and a set of Pirelli Sotozero cold weather performance tires for winter use. When the weather and roads are clear, I try to get my vert out for a good run as often as possible. With the Sotozeros I can pretty much ignore the outside temps as they display real good grip all the way down into the teens.

Whoomba · 01-01-2015, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawk02

Last year I bought some factory replica wheels and a set of Pirelli Sotozero cold weather performance tires for winter use. When the weather and roads are clear, I try to get my vert out for a good run as often as possible. With the Sotozeros I can pretty much ignore the outside temps as they display real good grip all the way down into the teens.

Cold weather you say? I could pick up d
Some factory wheels cheap with guys taking them off for something else and have a winter set.

Nutbutt · 01-01-2015, 11:11 AM

Was my DD until this fall. 2011 rs SC with 84k. I tried not to use her during snow due to road treatment in New England. Will grab the wife's subby GT when she didn't work on those days. Kept her clean and undercarriage washed.
Bought a two year old Nissan Frontier pro4x this fall for a great deal. I now want to extend the life of the Camaro after all the mod $. Was thinking of going over to the dark side (2013 vett) but I really still love the V6 SC setup I have.

mikebaby · 01-01-2015, 12:29 PM

I keep mine in the garage when it's shitty out, but I bought mine just for a nice weather toy anyway. My F-150 is my daily driver.

mikebaby

Angrybird 12 · 01-01-2015, 12:37 PM

Cold is no problem, but it stays in the driveway during snow.

CCMADONNA · 01-02-2015, 03:37 PM

it's been cold in L.A. and i still drop-top and ride out with the seat heaters on. leather jacket, and beanie.

Ryanbabz71 · 01-02-2015, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CCMADONNA

it's been cold in L.A. and i still drop-top and ride out with the seat heaters on. leather jacket, and beanie.

Replace the word cold with Chilly. You havent felt cold

12-31-2014, 04:34 PM	#1
Valpo1 Drives: 2014 CRT 2LT/RS Convertible Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: NW Indiana or Ft.Myers Beach Fl. Posts: 24	Driving Convertible in the winter? I'm curious how many convertible owners drive their cars during the snowy winters or put them away for the winter and use a winter driver. My previous convertibles were a 2009 Mustang GT and then a Mini Cooper S convertible. Both of the cars were stored in the garage for the winter. When I traded in those vehicles, I did not sense there was a noticeable increase in value of the cars because I tucked them away for the winter. Believe me, I know how harsh winter driving can be, but I'm not sure its worth the cost to own and insure an additional vehicle (my old winter driver died) for the winter. I love to keep all my cars nice, keep them washed and serviced, and keep them in a heated garage. I also love driving the Camaro and driving this type of car in the winter with the right tires does not concern me. Im not sure how long I will keep this car, but it will only have to endure 2 winters here and then subsequent ones in Florida. Just curious what other owners are doing. __________________ 2014 CRT LT2/RS Convertible 2014 Ford Escape Titanium 2.0 Turbo 2002 VW Beetle winter car. Sold thankfully Future winter car...pending

12-31-2014, 06:09 PM	#2
united1 Drives: slpzl585vert. Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: ma. Posts: 925 View My Garage	If you don't plan on keeping it for the long haul just buy a set of winter tires and drive the hell out of it . Like you said it doesn't make a difference when you trade it in . Enjoy it . __________________

01-01-2015, 01:59 AM	#4
theragtopguy Lifetime Philly Fan Drives: 2015 Spring Edition 2SS M-6 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: South Central Florida Posts: 1,861 View My Garage	My DD also __________________ 2015 Green Flash, Delivered 4/10/15 CAI, NPP Exhaust, Short-throw shifter BBK LT HEADERS 1 7/8” Tune by DynoSteve via SCTx4 Tuner One of 82 GF Ragtops built in '15 out of 811 Total [/SIZE]

01-01-2015, 02:42 AM	#5
LuckyZL-1 Ragtop Rocket!!! Drives: Black on Black Convertible Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 809	I roll I didn't buy it as a hangar queen! __________________ ADM built 2013 Triple Black ZL-1 Convertible M6 ADM custom cam, LPE stage 2 heads with dual valve springs, LS-3 ported throttle body, LPE 2 piece pulley, LPE overdrive balancer, 10% overdrive pulley, ported supercharger inlet, ADM race intake system, stainless works 1-7/8 headers, Injector Dynamics injectors, ADM heat exchanger, ADM dual fuel pump system, ADM exhaust switch, ADM 3 tunes tuning package. 744rwhp 727rwtq

01-01-2015, 07:02 AM	#7
Ryanbabz71 Drives: 2021 ZL1 1LE Satin Steel Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Brownsburg, Indiana Posts: 6,349 View My Garage	Mine isn't a DD and sits. I have a 2010 Silverado. Just as fun to drive as it has the 6.2L V8 I am thinking of taking it out tomorrow before the rain hits this weekend. Should be fun with the stock tires in 30 deg weather Ryan Attached Images __________________ Ryan 2021 ZL1 1LE Satin Steel Metallic Build Page: https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=632481 Last edited by Ryanbabz71; 01-01-2015 at 12:23 PM.

12-31-2014, 06:12 PM	#3
Whoomba Drives: 2024 Camaro 2SS CE Convertible Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 1,450	It's my DD. Let's go.

01-01-2015, 05:55 AM	#6
NickZ28 Drives: 2012 45th Anniversary SS Convert Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Columbus Ohio Posts: 26	been driving mine for the last 3 winters and getting ready for the 4th in Ohio!

01-01-2015, 10:32 AM	#8
hawk02 Coupe Newbie Drives: '23 CT5-V BW, '21 Corvette HTC Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 3,435 View My Garage	Last year I bought some factory replica wheels and a set of Pirelli Sotozero cold weather performance tires for winter use. When the weather and roads are clear, I try to get my vert out for a good run as often as possible. With the Sotozeros I can pretty much ignore the outside temps as they display real good grip all the way down into the teens. Attached Images __________________

01-01-2015, 11:11 AM	#10
Nutbutt Drives: 2011 RJT 2LT/RS Convertible Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 3,381 View My Garage	Was my DD until this fall. 2011 rs SC with 84k. I tried not to use her during snow due to road treatment in New England. Will grab the wife's subby GT when she didn't work on those days. Kept her clean and undercarriage washed. Bought a two year old Nissan Frontier pro4x this fall for a great deal. I now want to extend the life of the Camaro after all the mod $. Was thinking of going over to the dark side (2013 vett) but I really still love the V6 SC setup I have. __________________ 1st IPF Supercharged 2011 2LT/RS RJT Convertible

01-01-2015, 12:29 PM	#11
mikebaby Drives: 2014 2SS/RS A6 Vert Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Ohio Posts: 117	I keep mine in the garage when it's shitty out, but I bought mine just for a nice weather toy anyway. My F-150 is my daily driver. mikebaby

01-01-2015, 12:37 PM	#12
Angrybird 12 7 year Cancer Survivor! Drives: 17 Cruze RS, 07 G6 GT, 99 Astro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 21,546	Cold is no problem, but it stays in the driveway during snow. Attached Images __________________ Cancer's a bitch! Enjoy life while you can! LIVE, LOVE, DRIVE... The Bird is the word!

01-02-2015, 03:37 PM	#13
CCMADONNA Drives: 2014 SW 2SS/RS Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: So Cal Posts: 1,681 View My Garage	it's been cold in L.A. and i still drop-top and ride out with the seat heaters on. leather jacket, and beanie. __________________ 2014 2SS/RS VERT L99 SUMMIT WHITE AIRAID CAI BORLA ATAK CAT-BACK EXHAUST ELITE ENGINEERING CATCH-CAN RANGE AFM-DELETE MODULE HUPER OPTIK 40 CHROME PEDALS PREMIUM FLOOR MATS PREMIUM CARGO MAT DEDICATED 32GB iPHONE HD[/I][/B][IMG][/IMG]