Season is over

Hi Guys: Just thought I'd take a moment, drop a little note that my season is pretty much over. Just took advantage of 1/2 day off and did the final oil change (bit of a mess, always) and she is just about tucked away for another year. Need to pump up the tires, add a few dryer cloths and then hang a Damp-Rid package from the steering wheel to stave off moisture, once the warmer weather comes back and the humidity rises, (b4 she come out in the Spring). I must say, I love this car...she never failed me and I continue to learn as I pudh my abilities, I don't really need anymore go fast parts, as I am convinced now more than ever, it is the driver that is the single most important variable for speed on track. I am amazed at the continuing levels of joy I get whether it is trying to push my skills on the track ever higher, or cruising on the street, sunroof open and the Fister D's singing and being stopped by more than one motorist to inquire about the car. For anyone who is thinking of trying the track, I say "Do it!!!" The experience is amazing and the comradierie is, simply put, second to none. Great group of like minded drivers who are passionate about their cars and driving. I'll continue to lurk......just in case there is a must have........but I am hanging up my driving shoes for the season.........damn!

Naw .... not here ... have plans to install the hardtop, already have winter tires on, and keep on driving.

Winter tires on here too!

It's Cayenne season.. meh.

Winter tires will be mounted soon. Got into the 60s today, don't want to remove my summer sneakers, but the cold weather is coming. Hope to drive up to the White Mtns. to ski this winter with my Porsche under me instead of my GMC 4x4 pickup truck.

where do you put your drier sheets? also are you storing it inside in a heated garage? or outside or in a cold garage? mines in storage now too...almost put a days insurance on yesterday but turned miserable so didnt.

my car is all loaded up with pine needles and tree debris ...drive and smile - keep the big stuff out of the corners, nooks and crannies with a monthly power wash - add gas and GO DOG GO

No comment.

Hard top on.. same tires, will stay off the roads after the snow arrives. Don't want to push my luck and smash the car up any. I can say that mine is ALMOST a daily driver.

Quotes source post: 9993670

Winter tires are on, waited as long as I could but as temps had dropped to the low 30's for a stretch I knew the time was coming. 1st year of ownership I made the mistake of thinking winter tires were for snow - until on a cold day I couldn't stop the car and it felt like I was riding on hockey pucks. Lesson learned that time. The only time I don't drive the 996 is when the weather is bad enough that I wouldn't risk driving regardless of the kind of car.

Top down Sunday and Monday here in the DC area - I hear that is going to change tonight!

CDLVancouver: I store my baby in a cold garage.....trouble is mice love the German wiring (I am told it is the cornstarch in the wire coloring????) anywho, I put the Bounce sheet in the front radiator openings, at the base of the windshield (damn mice love the 996 air filters), I put them around the wheels, on top of the tires, in the exhaust openings, and the air intake and the engine compartment area. I live in a rural area and mice are an ongoing serious issue. For the past few years, I have been real lucky...no problems. This year, maybe mothballs on the garage floor????? Decide later. In the meantime, I will top off the gas tank and add Marine Stabilz...trickle charger is already in place (use it year round)...so pretty much done. As for the guys that drive their cars year round, enjoy them! I am not so bothered by the water, but salt water, or even worse, salt dust...that stuff is nasty and not for my car. It is definitely not a DD,...that is what the Tacoma is for.....now bring on the snow!

LOL@ Ivangene, you rock!

Country911 I would recommend putting some of those sticky mouse trap trays on the floor around your car. I actually have a few in my garage along the wall next to my car just in case a rodent wanders in. I am lucky living in TX and can drive year round.

P87 Thankx, I might try the sticky type, I do use the Victor, spring loaded ones with a bit of peanut butter. Works well, the sticky ones might be even easier (crueler?) tho.

Just went to NH this weekend they had snow last week,keep driving!

I'm planning on buying a 996 next spring, and it'll be driven every chance I get-- on the appropriate tires, of course.

I'm keeping it real on summer tires at this point. . . lol

Country, just ship the 911 down south... The Season never ends down here. Oh wait, this isn't the uber Baller 997gt3 forum... Either way I'm in the warehouse biz. If u ever want to keep the 911 in Florida over The winter months let me know. Free storage for RL members. We have homestead, moroso, daytona and Sebring all within a 200 mile radius. Cheers...

Hardback: Wow, does this include a place to stay, too? Now this is sounding like my kinda vacation!!!!!! Let's see, March, cold snow, tired of plowing, cocktails, a cuban cigar, shorts and a t-shirt, outdoor dinning, warm weather............I might just be driving her down south! As for the 997gt3 forum.......someday, not now, not yet...........

One more reason it's good to live in Cali. Other than avoiding the rainy days it's year round cab driving weather. Sunny and 70 something degrees yesterday in SacTown.

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Open invitation pal. I wish i could could get up north to drive the tracks up there in the summer. Like you said.. One day somehow ill take a month off in summer and ship the car up. As far as the GT3 dream goes, Im seriously considering selling my 4S to fund a 997.1 GT3. Stay tuned.... maybe by this time next year...

sounds silly. there is an awesome drive planned for NJ/NY on sunday. Missing out.

Carey: If you event do make it this way, the open invitation works both ways. As long as we have the space, you are welcome to stay, crash here, etc. Grill will be ready, tonic of your choice, ice or no ice..........just say when. R\ Scott

Cold air makes more horsepower. Don't waste it.

If you haven't driven your 996 in snow with proper winter tires, you're missing out. I figure it's about a $20k car now...what's the point of storing every winter? What value am I gaining that outweighs the value of driving the car that I would be giving up?

Drive my Porsche in the snow? Are you crazy? The horror. I swimming pool season is over if that matters. Porsche comes out on sunny days only. Extremely rare to see snow here. Only a few freezes thankfully.

The end of one season means the beginning of another. I put my winter tires on Oct 1st ski rack on November 1st, and heading for my thirds snowboard weekend to the mountains right now. As much fun as I have with my car during the summer season, I equally enjoy driving it in the winter season for different reasons.

Guys: FWIW, yes, I have on a very rare occassion (2x), been caught driving her (Boston to Upstate NY) in a snow storm, regardless of the tires, to me, it is not worth it. I am not even talking about the salt or the salt dust, but the cost of an accident, for me, outweighs the few months of being tucked away, waiting for the Spring. In my experience, there are way too many sh^&y drivers out there. The costs involved to fix the car, assuming it is involved in an incident, along with the diminished value, don't add up. I would suspect that the cost of P-car parts and labour, would mean more likely than not, it would be totaled by the insurance company. I could not replace her for anywhere near what they would give me for her. Yes, I will someday get my GT3 (RS?), but for now I am extremely content to let her sit for the winter and then drive her (street and track) for 3 seasons. For those of you who drive their babies in the winter, snow tires, ski racks, etc, please continue to share your stories....this type of information fans the 996 ownership and driving flames and keep me totally psyched to bring her out each Spring. There is always the trepidation of will she start?, but then the sound of the Fister D's, is almost all the reward I need to continue this p-car madness. There may be some reaearch on a mod or two (can we say Accusump?) this winter, but alas, each Spring I feel like a kid again.... I take the cover off, roll her out, grab a cigar, maybe even a beer, the wash bucket and get ready for another exciting season......this has been my routine for 8 years now and it never gets old. Each year the kid in me smiles and I am reminded how fortunate I am to be able to have and enjoy this experience. This little baby has introduced me to some really great people and I am sure I could meet even more that enjoy winter p-car sports, but that might have to wait until I decide to steal Mark's Peppa...(lol). We each have our own reasons.......and yes, SoCal certainly has its advantages (but I did live there for a while and still prefer the East), so for me, feet up, grab a single malt scotch and think Spring!!!!! In about 4 months and the madness starts all over......for now, I am content to wait. Happy holidays to all and regardless of the season, enjoy the miles and smiles that come with owning and enjoying your 996. R\ Scott

Happy Holidays Scott... Hope to see you again soon. Tell Heather we all say Hello from Central NY.

I can't do it. I can't cover my car up and store it until spring. Taking the C4S out, clean and shiny, into a fresh snow is a wonderful experience. These cars were made to be driven, year round. I do not ever regret my choice. I'm not saving it for the next guy. Resale values can go to Hell - I don't care. Open the garage door, turn out into the snow, and drop the hammer. See you next spring!

We only get two or three snows here. I'm keeping the summer tires and driving it every day.

Hardtop on. Winter tires will go on when we start getting 30's in the lowlands. Other than avoiding the sand (gravel) they put on the highways here, I Love driving Porsches in the snow. What a hoot. Actually, I would like a winter autocross season if we could reliably get snow & ice.

Hardtop is on for me but we only get a few snowfalls a year and the city shuts down when it happens. So yeah the track season is over but the car will be a pure daily driver until next season.

Quotes source post: 10014437

Drive it down to Colorado in January for Eiskana! It is an autocross on a frozen lake in Georgetown, CO every January. It's well-attended by the Rocky Mountain Region of PCA.

Winter tires are on with OEM 17" twists, quick wash, dry, wax, ready to go around town and ski trips up to the White Mtns. The value to me is to be able to drive my porsche year round, and not have to look at it waiting for me in the garage until perfect weather arrives. That said, I still only drive 4-k miles annually anyway.