This may seem like a stupid question, because so many people obviously are using these cars all winter based on the amount of dedicated wheel/tire set up discussions... but what are your guys thoughts on my specific situation regarding whether or not to use the car year round?

I am not worried about the snow, I have a truck that I use to go to work, that I would take when it is snowing/the day or two following a storm (when there would still be snow in my intended path of travel)

Last winter I didn't even consider taking it out, so it sat in the garage for 3 months (except for days following heavy rain that washed the salt off the roads)

However last winter it would have been less then 70 miles a week that I would have taken the car out, however this winter, due to some changing circumstances the car would probably be getting about 300 miles per week this time around...

So it is a little easier convincing my self to get an average of 23 mpg in the car as apposed to 12 mpg in the truck this winter, however I still am stuck on the fact that the car will be COVERED in salt dust every time it goes out (I would use the truck for a day or 2 after a salting, just so I know I wasn't going to get the car hit with "chunks" of salt)... but still last winter for the better part of 3 months, I would wash my truck, and without exaggeration, within 2 days you would never guess the truck was black from all the salt on it

I know it isn't a veyron or anything... but when your 19, paying for this car yourself, it certainly feels like one... and I was always one to be obsessed with the condition of my possessions

so, Thanks to anyone that has any advice to add

 

I get like 16 mpg so it wouldn't even be a discussion.

Sorry, I don't have any other input.

 

I dont see what the big deal is about people garaging their car during winter, unless its an exotic. As long as you dont let the road salt sit on your car all winter, you will be fine.

There are two theories everyone has about paying for your own car and driving:

1. Your paying a lot for the car so drive the hell out of it.

2. your paying a lot for the car so baby it cause its like a trophy to you.

personally I am slapping on some blizzacks and plowing through winter. I didnt pay 40K to let it sit

 

Im a little bit of both, thats why it is a tough choice...

Without elaborating at the risk of incriminating my self... I very frequently "use the car to its full potential", but only after its twice a week washings and not before 5 minutes of idling accompanied with 5 miles of calm driving to warm it up. and of course mobil 1 changes in the driveway every 3,000 miles.

 

Hello, first post.

I'm considering getting a G37x Coupe (AWD) so figured I'd join the forum.

Anyway, I live in an area with a lot of snow, my current car is a 2003 Acura CL Type S that I bought brand new. It's six years old now, and well...no sign of damage from road salt or any such here. So if your major concern is that, I'd say to not worry about it at all IMO. If/when I get my G37 I'll have the same attitude I'm sure.

 

man my car saw so much salt, the only thing effected by the salt was my stock exhaust, the piping looked all rusty and cheap so I tossed it out and got a new magnaflow exhaust. Other then that yea as stated above, why get a car if you cant drive it all the time. Drive it like you stole it man, winter tires are amazing, you will be surprised.

 

ya just give your car a good wash off once a week. and the salt is not an issue. Thats what i do

 

My wife's car sits in the garage for the winter. She has another car that gets about the same or slightly better gas mileage. The roads in our development are particularly bad with salt. Over the winter months, it's like you're driving on a gravel road with all the salt. It sticks around till late April/early May too. I saw this past weekend's storm coming so we took the G out for one last romp Friday night. The car got some serious beating to last it the winter. The way I look at it is that she has another car so why bother getting the winter tire/wheel package? And from a resale perspective, if we ever needed the extra cash and were in a pinch, the G would (unfortunately) be the first thing to go. If we had a prospective buyer from Florida, for example, I'm sure they wouldnt' like the fact that the car had seen road salt. If I could say (and show) that the car has never seen salt, that would give me more of a bargaining chip... but I hope to never be in that situation anyway so it's almost a moot point.

My track car, however, lasted me through several winters. The engine is still strong as could be... but the body/frame has been slowly gaining rust the past few years. It kills me to see what rust *CAN* do. I know, you can rinse it off and all. I nearly lost a few fingers being fanatical and rinsing salt off my car in sub-zero temps. Just not worth it IMO when you have other options. Some people don't have those options though

 

lol my wifes winter ride is the FX50S and i get the G37S. winter wheels and rims for both. that was some coin

 

My year-round is the FX. I have winter wheels with some leftover tires that I can use when needed. I just don't want to run snow tires all the time since it'll only be a few times that I'll need them. The CRAPPY OEM RSA's (really suck ***) have 1 or 2 / 32nds left!!! I was sliding all over the place Saturday in 5 or 6 inches; kind of fun. My wife has an 02 Maxima for the winter. I have all seasons on it for now but am getting wheels from a friend cheap soon so I can have dedicated winters for that car too.

Sorry, back on topic...

 

My G stays in the garage while I drive the FX for the winter.

I will take my G out early in April when snow melts. I sure enjoy driving my G...

 

What's your truck like? In the winter it's nice to drive a new car with heated seats/mirrors, traction control, nice headlights, 50 airbaigs etc.

 

I drive mine all year. I have winter wheels and tires for it and have had no problems with it at all. I didn't buy it to park it in the garage 6 months of the year and have to have another car on hand. (Although sometimes I wish I had an SUV to haul things in.) I'd rather enjoy my nice car all year, instead of just on nice days. Its just a car, most likely to be replaced when the next model G coupe comes out. My neighbors drive their AMG E55, 2009 Porsche Carrera 4 S Cabriolet, Porsche 996TT, etc... all year- all of which cost a TON more than a G coupe does.

I make sure to hit up a carwash every week or every other week with a good underbody spray to rinse the crap out of the bottom of the car. So far so good! (It is kinda fun to turn a shiny BO G coupe salty white. I have since taken it through a touchless underbody wash, so its not AS salty.)