Drive C4 year round?

[BarryK]

Hi all

I'm considering a C4 for a daily driver. In the winter where I live we don't usually get hit with too much snow but a couple of times each winter we usually get a few inches.

Does anyone here drive their C4 year round and if you are in an area with snow can you tell me just how bad the car is in those conditions? Is snow driving at all possible or not? Can a deeper tread tire (not quite a full snow tire, but just a deeper tread tire) be used on the car to help in the winter?
If it's a pipe dream to realisically use a C4 year round in ALL conditions I will have to change plans and go with a more "practical" type of car.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Edmond]

Barry,

I've been caught in the snow a few times and it isn't fun. How is it like? Imagine yourself ice skating without any skates.

There are two problems:

1. tire width-the width of the tires wants to plow over the snow instead of cut through the snow like a narrower tire would.

2. ground clearance-when you encounter a snow drift, forget about it.

 

[BarryK]

Barry,

I've been caught in the snow a few times and it isn't fun. How is it like? Imagine yourself ice skating without any skates.

There are two problems:

1. tire width-the width of the tires wants to plow over the snow instead of cut through the snow like a narrower tire would.

2. ground clearance-when you encounter a snow drift, forget about it.

Yes, i was pretty much afraid that was what the answer would be. your the 2nd person to tell me that. My friend had a C4 he drove year round and said it wasn't that bad but I found that a bit hard to believe. Your answer confirmed what Warren on this forum also told me yesterday about driving in the snow.

hmm, looks like I may have to bag the C4 as a daily driver car and go for the practical alternative. I found a used 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T for about $13,950. more room, 4 seats, front wheel drive and better gas milage PLUS a 2yr / 24,000 mile warranty. Would proably be the better logical choice for a daily driver on a budget.
Guess I was just hoping that for approx the same money I'd get that 2nd vette I wanted but it may not be the best choice afterall.
Sigh

thanks again for your replay and help

 

[GS Diva]

Barry,

I'm so glad you're re-thinking using a C4 as a daily driver year-round. Manuveuring it in the snow and ice is one thing...another is risking damage from other drivers! Then, there's the salt thing...it will affect parts of a Corvette.

Enjoy the one you have...I'm sure it's a beauty!

Elaine

 

[BarryK]

Barry,

I'm so glad you're re-thinking using a C4 as a daily driver year-round. Manuveuring it in the snow and ice is one thing...another is risking damage from other drivers! Then, there's the salt thing...it will affect parts of a Corvette.

Enjoy the one you have...I'm sure it's a beauty!

Elaine

Elaine

I understand what you mean. I knew in the back of my mind it would be "sacrilige" to subject a Vette to those conditions although I know many people do it. To me a Vette deserves to be garaged, pampered, etc. and as a daily driver I couldn't do that. As it is, my garage is already filled with my wifes car and my '65, so it would sit out in the driveway besides getting "beat-up" as a daily driver. i'd hate to see the door dings in the paint from parking lots, etc. It would kill me to see a Vette start to deteriorate no matter how much i tried to take care of it because of it's daily driver use.
I guess I just wanted the "fun factor " of a Vette for daily use but it's really not the best choice I can now see. Besides, it will keep the "specialness" of the Vette experience for my '65 and when I get to drive that on nice evenings and weekends

Thanks for your input!

 

[BarryK]

Oh, another point now heading me futher down the path of the "practical car" route instead of the C4 as a daily driver.
After we got our '65, my wife mentioned that the next "cool" car we get she wants HER dream car (mine was the Vette) which is a '65 Mustang convertible. My step brother has a '65 Mustang Vert, '65 Mustang hardtop, and a '68 Mustang fastback - all in excellent condition. Whenever she sees them she goes nuts.
When I mentioned getting a C4 as a daily driver she didn't say no to the idea but I could see something in the back of her eyes and it was enough to make me remember her previous comment.
LOL

A more basic car like a VW or Honda seems to be the better choice in more than one way now..............including keeping the wife happy.

one thing I learned very early in my marriage:
1. if your wife is happy you CAN be happy
2. if your wife is unhappy, than you will also be unhappy
3. if your wife is unhappy long enough, than you are also unhappy with only half the possesions that you use to own!
LOL

 

[eptaylor]

Reply to drive c4 year round

Your final decision is the right one. I agree it is your wife's turn!! I do drive my 90 convertible year round. I am in Northern Utah and we get enought snow. Some people have also questioned driving a corvette in winter and in the snow but when all is said and done, it is just a car, other cars are low clearance, other cars have questionable traction in snow, and so what? I have had no trouble and the streets are cleared relatively quickly so it is not day after day of snow driving. Kinda fun actually.

 

[Vettes n Harleys]

I have a 84 that I drive when ever I get the urge. That is year round. Im In cincy so I see some snow. If careful its not to bad. As you have read, the other drivers like to hit Corvettes. Last year at a Christmas party my left door was pushed into the seat.SO MUCH FOR THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.Good thing I am a body man. Still made me SICK!

 

[Remo]

Do C4's Go In the Snow?

Barry,

There was a thread on this subject titled "Do C4's Go In The Snow" that was started by one of our members called ZAL81. This thread began on 11/29/02 and went on for months. There were actually C4 drivers that claimed they could drive their cars just fine in snow - and I mean "deep" snow. I had a lot of fun disputing those claims and several of those guys got so mad they wanted to put a "hit" out on me. Go to the search function and type in "C4's in snow". Read it - I think you'll get the message.

Remo:cool

 

[Vettelt193]

I haven't driven in the snow ever (thank God!) but when I was pre-driving age we lived in New Jersey... My Dad drove C4's year round then, snow or no snow. He never had a problem. These were pre-traction control years too. the newest being a 1991 convertible (6-speed) but he also drove a 1987 4+3 coupe and a 1987 auto coupe in the snow.

So, can it be done... yes. But I think it depends on your driving ability

 

[B17Crew]

Hi Remo,

I was involved with that thread, this is one that will not die!

I still stand by what I posted. C4’s do go in the snow.

I’ve driven C4’s in the snow since 1992. Never got stuck and have never had an accident. With that said, I will add these few things:

-If it’s an L98 and an automatic, you are going to have a tougher time due to there not being traction control to assist you. A manual tranny is going to give you more control over the car. I wouldn’t consider driving a pre 92 Corvette in the snow without ASR and the six-speed. That’s just me.

-If you are in the LT series of cars that have ASR, your aided by what I think to be an effective system for foul weather driving. If you car is equipped with a six-speed, that’s icing on the cake for controlling the car.

-If the snow is five inches or more, keep the Vette home, they can be dicey if you are not experienced at handling one in these conditions.

-If you over-drive the car, or any car for that matter in foul conditions, you deserve to crack up your car.

Anyway, no problems here since 92. That was my first Corvette. I have since retired my LT4 to fair weather duty. To side with Remo, it’s less stressful driving a puddle jumper (or any other vehicle besides a Corvette) in foul weather. Corvettes DO require more piloting than 4x4 or front wheel drive vehicle. You really have to concentrate when driving a Vette in the snow.

Remo, for the record, I’m not one of the ones that wanted a “hit” put out on you, stirring the pot is good, it keeps things interesting.

B17Crew

 

[Remo]

Remo, for the record, I’m not one of the ones that wanted a “hit” put out on you, stirring the pot is good, it keeps things interesting.

B17Crew

B17Crew - thanks that's good to know. You have to admit that was one of the all time fun (and at times) tense threads ever. Nice to hear from you.

Remo

 

[warren s]

I had to move my 95 out of the garage last winter to get somthing out of the utility room at the far end of the garage.

Just moving from my driveway up the slight incline back into my garage was "exciting" to say the least.

There is nothing like an expendable front wheel drive car in the winter! Knowing the Vette is safe and dry for the duration of bad weather is a great feeling.

 

[B17Crew]

B17Crew - thanks that's good to know. You have to admit that was one of the all time fun (and at times) tense threads ever. Nice to hear from you.

Remo

Remo,
Yes, that was a roller coaster thread, I have to chuckle when I think back to that one.

Good to hear from you too, take care and enjoy the spring weather in that vert!

B17Crew

 

[rwpeders]

The 96 LT4 Convertable I just bought has around 98,000 all year mileage on it and the car is in great condition with no obvious deterioration anywhere. It certainly had to spend a lot of time on the road.

I had a '73 four speed, which was the first year with radial tires and with the positraction rear, I drove around stuck cars all winter. Never got stuck. The radials gripped and the positraction kept both wheels going.

 

[ZumZum]

Just thought I'd add my .02
I've never driven my vette in the snow, haven't had it that long and I hope I don't have to get it out in the winter. In my past experiences I had a '75 Camaro LT, 350, 4-speed, posi, 3.73 rear gears & 60 series tires at all 4 corners. I always made it around real well in the snow with that car. It takes practiced use of the brakes, throttle and steering to get around, but it can be done and also be alot of fun. Sometimes from a standing start in a really slick area I would start out in 2nd gear instead of low and that seemed to keep wheel spin to a minimum due to less torque.

I'm going to have to read that past thread. Sounds pretty interesting.

 

[ZumZum]

I also better add that I live and drive in a mostly rural area so other traffic was not a big factor.

 

[unknown1]

Some good points by all.But how are you going to feel when some fool in a $50.00 rust bucket,no insurance,drivers license(all due to the 5 prior convictions for drunk driving)slams into you. I think we are all better off at times if we can drive the desposible units. Hey, there just drivers,right? Sure it can be done. But why risk the cars we care about? I leave my C-4 in the garage to rest up for the summer here. I see folks in vetts during the winter,its sad. There covered in road salts etc.Would you want to by a used vette that had been winter driven in Alaska or Mich? I wouldent. I see folks on motercycles in the dead of winter also. I must be older than when I did such things. Also takes longer to heal after a mishap. I drive my '02 Silverado when the weather is bad. Hope this helps.

 

[Vettelt193]

I have had 3 C4's... My first 2 I drove them and didn't worry about them (too much). I kept them clean, washing at least once a week, kept them waxed, and kept them maintained. BUT... i didn't hesitate to drive them anywhere or at anytime. I didn't worry about putting miles on the car, or the occasional scratch. I had a countless amount of fun in both of those cars.

When I bought my '96, i was worried about the miles, worried about originality, etc.... i bought a second car so i could keep my Corvette in as close to perfect condition as possible. What I found out is I didn't really have fun with the car like I did with my first 2 C4's.

Now that I have my '96 back, it is my daily driver... I don't care about the miles I am putting on it, or the scratches here and there, or changing things to my liking. I bought this car to drive, and if it gets hit then I will fix it (if it is a total wreck, then i will buy another one)

In summary: I am having fun again because I drive my 'Vette, and that is what Corvettes are all about.

 

[atmmac]

I have had 3 C4's... My first 2 I drove them and didn't worry about them (too much). I kept them clean, washing at least once a week, kept them waxed, and kept them maintained. BUT... i didn't hesitate to drive them anywhere or at anytime. I didn't worry about putting miles on the car, or the occasional scratch. I had a countless amount of fun in both of those cars.

When I bought my '96, i was worried about the miles, worried about originality, etc.... i bought a second car so i could keep my Corvette in as close to perfect condition as possible. What I found out is I didn't really have fun with the car like I did with my first 2 C4's.

Now that I have my '96 back, it is my daily driver... I don't care about the miles I am putting on it, or the scratches here and there, or changing things to my liking. I bought this car to drive, and if it gets hit then I will fix it (if it is a total wreck, then i will buy another one)

In summary: I am having fun again because I drive my 'Vette, and that is what Corvettes are all about.

Very well put!

-Andy