Kitcat Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 I have noticed several other threads in which members talk about putting their car away for the winter (or putting them on jack stands so as to rebuild them from top to bottom). Cold weather seems to be the explanation. So, when is it too cold to drive a Seven? I like to ski and it's never too cold to ski. As a newbie owner facing his first winter with a Seven, my plan is to don my ski apparel, and keep on motoring (as long as there is no snow/salt/etc). Am I alone in this? What is the coldest day you have driven your Seven with the top down?. With the top up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 coming back from snow shoe, I think it was about 30 degrees... I drove with no top, no sides, no windshield Used bike helmet, 4 layers of cloths, ski gloves and neck cover. Never felt cold at all. But, this winter, I'm one of the "jack stand" guys. If the car has to be down at any time, i'd rather it be over the winter, because come spring, I better be driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Rohaley Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Same for me, just so long as there is no salt on the roads. Once the salt hits it is jack-stand time for me too. With the full weather gear and a heater it is very comfortable to drive no matter what the outside temperature. I tend to be in the minority that I use my top maybe nearly fifty percent of the time (most are proud to say that they never use it though). With the potential (eventual) electrolisis issues between the aluminum and steel I have no desire to speed the corrosion process by dipping the car in salt water for five months a year. Besides, a full tear down once a year in the name of preventative maintenence is not a bad idea on a car of this type. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southwind25 Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 If and when we get a "7"...it is most likely it will be used in inclimate weather.. since on perfect days we will be sailing as well.. We figure, it will follow the same seasons as a motorcycle, and we have some hearty motorcycle riders here in the frozen tundra of ohio. But yes...salt is the enemy here..and any "7" will turn into a big battery and deteriorate rapidly. This was the downfall of most of the Big healeys...They had 1/2 steel-1/2 aluminum bodies..and the aluminum often turned to dust right before your eyes..on a quiet day you could hear them rust. So, if a "7" is in our future, we will probably simply put on our foul weather gear on occasion....and drive it. but wait till the first rains of spring wash the roads down after the salt trucks come out to play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
locost7018 Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 17 degrees F and no top, doors, heater, or windshield. Quite invigorating. Got more that a few stares. Hay I never said I was smrt. Also I don't do salt either. I now have a windshield and a much needed heater. Try to do doors and engine replacement this winter if I ever stop driving it, Russ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xromad Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 I've driven it in weather down to -10. But, that particular trip was neither fast nor far.... However, 10 to 30 is perfectly fine driving weather. Even in Minnesota, I have found that there is typically at least one day a month during the winter when I can get the car out on reasonably dry, reasonably salt-free, roads. Brent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnCh Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 When I took the Westfield to work last week, it was 28 for the morning commute. No heater or sidescreens, but I do have a windshield. Based on several other drives I have done with temps in the mid 30's, I discovered that my cold-weather gloves don't like breaking that 30 degree barrier. I couldn't feel my finger tips for the first couple of hours after arriving at the office For me, the biggest problem with cold weather driving is the lack of grip. It’s easy enough to stay warm if you dress properly (note to self: buy new winter driving gloves), but tires don’t seem to like temps below 50. I find that trying to accelerate hard in those conditions just results in a lot of wheel spin. Not that there is anything wrong with that… -John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGTorque Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 was 40 a few days ago in the am and i was driving. no heater, no top, no doors, no real windshield (bikini)... lets just say i enjoyed it more then the ballast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 I find that trying to accelerate hard in those conditions just results in a lot of wheel spin. Not that there is anything wrong with that… -John It's like summer driving for me? :rofl: :jester: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbanker Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1618940799_Christmas Day_1 2003.jpghttp://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/373824699_Christmas Day_2 2003.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al N. Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Jack...is that Tony C.'s car? I thought yours was yellow? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WestTexasS2K Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 I can stay comfortable down to 30 or so. After that it kind of ruins the fun. With limited traction spirited driving is a bit dangerous also no fun. We dont get salt here so that isnt an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbanker Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 Al, That is our Stalker on Christmas Day 2003 just before I had it painted in March of 2004. We have not missed a month of driving the car since the car has been street legal in August 2003. We have driven snowmobiles all over Michigan, Wisconsin in much colder weather than we experience here in Indiana. If it is in the upper 20's, dry and reasonably sunny, we think nothing of taking a drive. Full face helmets and proper clothing is all we need. No, we don't have a heater either. Penny will often wrap up in an Indian blanket that she bought the first time we headed over the Cherohala Skyway in 2004 after a lady at the gas station in Telico Plaines said that it would be 15 to 20 degrees cooler at the top of the mountain. The blanket now stays in the car. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solder_guy Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 I like to ski and it's never too cold to ski. Now where is that pic of the seven with the skis on top .. driving through the snow ?? Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davemk1 Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 I live and in Montana and as much as this might be a surprise it's not good Seven weather here year around......just too much snow. But I do get out about once on month during the dead of winter just to stay sane and keep the car happy. I drive mine in the 20's a good bit and usually just use the side curtains if the sky is clear. Right now my car is up on blocks with the engine out so I can upgrade the clutch and install an aluminum flywheel. I hope to get it back on it's feet this weekend so I'll have a few more weeks of driving before the snow really flies. Once the snow does come it will be snowboard season.............not like driving a Seven but a good time anyway you look at it. A few feet of fresh on a clear morning is good at making one live in the moment. Dave http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1648096176_Recovered_JPEG Digital Camera_1803.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James A Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 It gets too cold for a 7, no one ever told me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinnyG Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 I drove mine down to -5°C (about 23°F) last fall. No top, no curtains, no heater. Three jackets and an Elmer Fudd hat. Then it started to snow. This year I called it quits earlier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soareyes Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 It's good to see most Sevens drivers don't let a little cold weather slow them down. :thumbs: Here is a picture of me and Magnus on my first winter blat here in S. California, December 2004: http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd136/soareyes/Stan_Magnus_Elsinore.jpg That's Gert's Birkin in front, Magnus's green SV, and my first yellow Birkin. I think temperatures dipped down into the 70's at the higher elevations! :rofl: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davemk1 Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 It's good to see most Sevens drivers don't let a little cold weather slow them down. :thumbs: Here is a picture of me and Magnus on my first winter blat here in S. California, December 2004: http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd136/soareyes/Stan_Magnus_Elsinore.jpg That's Gert's Birkin in front, Magnus's green SV, and my first yellow Birkin. I think temperatures dipped down into the 70's at the higher elevations! :rofl: Oh the humanity! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slngsht Posted November 8, 2007 Share Posted November 8, 2007 It's good to see most Sevens drivers don't let a little cold weather slow them down. :thumbs: Here is a picture of me and Magnus on my first winter blat here in S. California, December 2004: http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd136/soareyes/Stan_Magnus_Elsinore.jpg That's Gert's Birkin in front, Magnus's green SV, and my first yellow Birkin. I think temperatures dipped down into the 70's at the higher elevations! :rofl: Make sure you carry extra antifreeze with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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