Winter drive or store?

[wbradley]

Stored for 2 winters so far. I am sure my car will be a lot cleaner than a winter driven one a decade from now. When I started modding it I decided this car stays with me a long time.
Not sure if I'll have the cash for another sports car down the road. Stuff like kids landmarks and retirement savings will need to take priority. If anything, perhaps just more mods in the future.

Never kept a vehicle more than 3.5 years before and I'm 50.

[KPDoubleX]

I park mine for the winter and use a beater. After the winter we had last year, I wouldnt even consider it. I also heard that some people have experienced some significant rust and rot after the shit they were using on the roads last winter. If you do drive it, make sure you rust proof and protect what you can!

[Marvin from time G]

I drove mine last winter, with a good set of winter tires on and no added weight in the rear it was just fine. I do feel sorry for it though, suffering under all that ice and snow.

[Ubersuber]

These are relatively cheap cars to fix and built Subaru tough. The ground clearance is an adequate 4.9 inches or so which is better than many Audis.

There's no reason to park it for the winter. What would you be saving it for?

Four good snow tires and a compact trunk shovel, and maybe two of those hard plastic traction mats should be all you need in case you get high centered.

I don't find adding weight to the trunk helps this car. It has good straight line traction if you feather the throttle adequately. It can break traction a little too readily but it isn't difficult to deal with.

Finally, stock sized snow tires will work fine. I just fit 225/45 x17 snows, same as my summers, and had no special difficulties. Taller narrower tires being better in winter is a bit of a myth these days since even taller narrower tires are still pretty wide. 205 is about 10 mm narrower than 215, or just under 5 mm wider each side of centre. I guarantee you won't be able to tell the difference between a 205/55x16 tire and a 225/45x17. There will be more difference between two different tire brands or models than that.

If you're worried about grip get Q rated snows and if you are confident get H rated snows. If you can't make up your mind go for T rated!

[DR 86]

It's a $30K subaru, not a $35mil Ferrari 250. Drive it unless you can't handle 200bhp in the snow. I drove mine that's lowered 2 inches for two winters now without incident. Good winter tires, a small shovel in the trunk and some common sense.

[wbradley]

Regardless what others say, if you can comfortably afford a winter car get one. If not, I'm sure you will be OK for the most part aside from the additional wear and tear the salt and snow bring. I do a 220 KM drive every 2nd week come hell or high water and there was one Sunday in particular I thank god I wasn't in my FR-S.

I really enjoyed my 2011 WRX last winter as I will my 2015 this winter. I am fortunate to have the ideal winter and summer cars IMHO.

[navanodd]

I had no issue getting through this winter in Nova Scotia/New Brunswick. Worst winter I've ever driven in weather-wise but I didn't have any trouble with the car unless the snow was deeper than the ground clearance. Good tires and some caution when driving go a long way. The car was super predictable and never gave any surprises.


If you're looking to keep the car long enough to get antique plates, I'd garage it for sure, but otherwise it's an absolute blast to drive on snow/ice. Just make sure if you have a 2013 to get the TSB done for the window seals/switches. Before I had that done the windows were always frozen, and sometimes got stuck half an inch open.

[jonboy99]

The car was super predictable and never gave any surprises.


If you're looking to keep the car long enough to get antique plates, I'd garage it for sure, but otherwise it's an absolute blast to drive on snow/ice. Just make sure if you have a 2013 to get the TSB done for the window seals/switches. Before I had that done the windows were always frozen, and sometimes got stuck half an inch open.

This. I'm lucky enough to have an STi as a winter car, and last winter it left the garage maybe 10 times - I found the brz way more fun to drive in snow. Admittedly first winter with rwd though.

[TRDCal]

All these winter drivers will make my rust-free FRS worth more in the future

For me it's more about using the right tool for the right job. I have my 4runner that's duty is daily driving. Its got 4x4, why drive anything else in the snow, owned it for 3 winters haven't needed a push yet. The FRS is more of a toy for spirited driving when the weather allows it. Its not a can't drive it in the winter, more of a don't need to drive it in the winter.

It only a $30K car...**** you guys! Sure its not a fortune but its enough to justify having pride and wanting to take care of it.

[Tcoat]

Wax, undercoat and a 3 or 4 month unlimited carwash card for a touch less wash will be your best friends if you drive in the winter.
Drove my Lancer GTS for 4 years in winter for a total of 350000 kms (including summer) and didn't have a rust spot on or under it. So unless the FRS is an inferior product (which I doubt) I would expect the same results.
Wax the crap out of it in the fall and whenever you get a nice enough day in the winter and get a wash as often as you can and all is good.
Oh and never EVER follow close to a sander/salter even if it means pulling over and waiting a few minutes! Let somebody else take all the bouncing salt to the front of their car.

[aghuman]

Originally Posted by DR 86

It's a $30K subaru, not a $35mil Ferrari 250. Drive it unless you can't handle 200bhp in the snow. I drove mine that's lowered 2 inches for two winters now without incident. Good winter tires, a small shovel in the trunk and some common sense.

Do you drive mainly in the city or out of the GTA during winter as well? Reason I ask is because I really want to drop my car but don't want to run into any issues with clearance since I have to drive outside the GTA on occasion where snow usually accumulates a bit more and roads may not be cleared as often.

Also which route did you take lowering it, and di you have any issue with the cold and increased spring rates?

[jonboy99]

Originally Posted by TRDCal

All these winter drivers will make my rust-free FRS worth more in the future

For me it's more about using the right tool for the right job. I have my 4runner that's duty is daily driving. Its got 4x4, why drive anything else in the snow, owned it for 3 winters haven't needed a push yet. The FRS is more of a toy for spirited driving when the weather allows it. Its not a can't drive it in the winter, more of a don't need to drive it in the winter.

It only a $30K car...**** you guys! Sure its not a fortune but its enough to justify having pride and wanting to take care of it.

You enjoy driving your nice pristine FRS in summer. I'll enjoy my sub speed limit drifts in mine all day long in winter. We'll both be happy by the sounds of it.

[TRDCal]

Originally Posted by jonboy99

I'll enjoy my sub speed limit drifts in mine all day long in winter

It's winter...everybody can enjoy that LOL. But yeah, to each their own.

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by TRDCal

All these winter drivers will make my rust-free FRS worth more in the future

I don't intend to sell my car, so I couldn't care less how much it will be worth in the future.


that's not what cars are for