Everyday or Now and Then ?

sjevans · Oct 6, 2004

I am planning to use my 993 C2S for my daily commute (28 miles) this winter.
My theory is that if I don't use it there is little point in having it. Others may differ.
The car will be left out and it's wet in Cornwall.
Should I worry about water getting in through the engine lid ? I have the full S bodykit.
Are engine lid covers available?

Do you think I'm bonkers and would be better off storing the car in the garage for occasional use only in winter.
Trouble is I have an old SL in the garage which will rust to death if I leave it out.

I could get a ford focus I suppose and throw it away in spring.

What do you reckon?

Stephen

Guest · Oct 6, 2004

Sorry to poke my nose into 993 business, but I use mine everyday and used the previous one every day (60 miles round trip), rain or shine, sun or snow.
With 4 wheel drive, PSM and heated seats there is no finer car for trundling about in.
If you are sensible (or even if you are not) you don't really need the 4wd or PSM, and I would be quite happy to use a 2wd one everyday.

I don't see why rain getting in through the engine lid should be a problem. Porsche design it to cope with this. They do plenty of winter testing with the cars left outside. Mine lives outside. You just need to keep a bit of wax on it.

As long as you don't mind getting it dirty and putting some miles on it, I don't think the car will mind. Using git everyday means you get no brake rusting or dampness problems either, and to my mind it is healthier since that is how it is intended to be used.

The salt is the only consideration, but the wheel arches are lined (at least I think they are on 993 C2S), the underbody has the polypropylene covers and the there is some underseal.
The only bit the user maunal talks about is having the engine and engine bay cleaned and re-coated after the winter.
I'm not convinced this is necessary, since it will no doubt cost a fortune and disturbs the road gunge/oil/grease that is protecting it.

It costs enough, so I want to get maximum usage out of it. Anything that wears out can be replaced.

Guest · Oct 9, 2004

i use mine every day, and enjoy every morning starting it up, and try to clean it twice a week under the arches to stop grit and salt build up, i do around 150 miles a week , my head says to buy a another car for winter, but the heart jsut wont allow it..

Alan Stamper · Oct 9, 2004

Everyday no problem ! also I live near the sea with no garage...and have had 3 happy winter years motoring so far in Scotland which colder than Cornwall !

Use it and enjoy it.