posted
Okay folks, I have posted my SS for sale on a couple boards just to get a feel of the buyer's market. I don't want to sell, but it is the practical move right now -- I'll be losing access to my winter wheels. My other alternative to selling -- drive the SS to the ground and winterize it next year. I think I'm too protective of my SS to do this, but I thought I'd get some feedback from fellow f-body owners. I'll still have my Iroc in the stable....
-------------------- 01 SS - #1321, 6sp, T-tops, SLP D/D, SLP mats & key fobs, SLP Bilstein, SLP PP lid - SOLD, gone but not forgotten 87 Iroc - 5sp, TPI, T-top, G92 Pics http://www.highspeeddriving.com/phpbb2/index.php Posts: 388 | From: NJ | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
How about buying an inexpensive winter beater for $1000-1500? It may not be pretty, but point A to B winter transportation is the goal here. You won't worry about where it's parked, either. The insurance should be cheap and you can put your Camaros on limited mile coverage or suspend the liability insurance when they're not being driven. You might find that the savings in insurance on the Camaros worth the price of the beater. If something happens to the cheap beater, it's less $$ lost in wear & tear or a repair on the Camaros, too.
quote:Originally posted by HTWLSS: How about buying an inexpensive winter beater for $1000-1500? It may not be pretty, but point A to B winter transportation is the goal here. You won't worry about where it's parked, either. The insurance should be cheap and .....
Ding, ding, ding, ding! That's definitely a good way to go.
quote:Originally posted by HTWLSS: .....you can put your Camaros on limited mile coverage or suspend the liability insurance when they're not being driven. .....
Unfortunately you can't suspend the insurance on a car in NJ without de-registering it and all that crap. I looked into it a couple of years ago, since my SS sits for four months, and it wasn't an option.
You will see your insurance go down on your SS if you have it listed as a leisure vehicle and not a commuter vehicle.
quote:Originally posted by HTWLSS: ..... You might find that the savings in insurance on the Camaros worth the price of the beater. If something happens to the cheap beater, it's less $$ lost in wear & tear or a repair on the Camaros, too.
Yup, as I said above.
Posts: 1907 | From: I hope I'm not repeating myself. Again. And Again. Stop picking on me! Waaahhh!! | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by Jim Mac: Unfortunately you can't suspend the insurance on a car in NJ without de-registering it and all that crap.
Oregon is also a mandatory insurance state, but since our SS is tucked away from public access over half the year, we are able to suspend the Liability coverage and leave the Comprehensive coverage on it during that unused period of time to remain in compliance with the State's insurance laws. This is not allowed if the car is stored outside (in case it rolls down the driveway and squishes someone, I guess). A quick call to our Insurance carrier will give it a temporary binder if we happen to take it out for a weekend or if Steve drives it to the shop for maintenance. All of our other cars are on limited 2500 mile policies, except the one we drive to the Camaro/Firebird Invasion in Bowling Green, KY. That one gets a 7500 mile policy for the year.
We drove various ugly little beaters for years until we bought our '91 AWD Astrovan a few years ago. Driving $500 beaters allowed us to keep our Camaros in good shape. I wouldn't feel bad if I lost a cheap beater as a result of a collision, but I'd certainly feel terrible if one of my nicer cars got beat up with daily use. I've driven our '90 IROC daily (in the winter) for the past couple of years and that use really shows. It'll be nice when I have enough daylight to commute with my bike and the train again.
If you can't suspend the Insurance in NJ, at least you might be able to put the Camaros on limited, pleasure driving policies. We're able to cover all of our cars (12 of them) to full value for about $250/month total, so 3 shouldn't be too bad. It's worth crunching the #'s and checking into.
Posts: 7198 | From: Near Portland, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2000
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With where the market for Camaros is right now, you can take a bath now, or take your chances later.
I'd just drive it. There seem to be so many people "babying" these cars that you shouldn't have a problem picking up a pristine example years down the road if you so chose.
It's been said before but worth repeating ...cars are generally lousy investments. Posts: 4222 | From: Winnipeg MB CA | Registered: Feb 2000
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Thanks Jim Mac and HTWLSS, I'll look into it. Trouble is, not sure how a beater will hold up for snow boarding trips, etc. I'll look though! Maybe I'll pick up a civic. Jim Mac,how do you de-register a car? My Iroc has not been driven in 2 years and has not been insured -- sitting in the garage. That's going to change this spring...hopefully...but will I have to pay back registration fees? To top it off, the Iroc is still in pop's name, but that will change this spring.
-------------------- 01 SS - #1321, 6sp, T-tops, SLP D/D, SLP mats & key fobs, SLP Bilstein, SLP PP lid - SOLD, gone but not forgotten 87 Iroc - 5sp, TPI, T-top, G92 Pics http://www.highspeeddriving.com/phpbb2/index.php Posts: 388 | From: NJ | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
Just slap some winter wheels/tires on the SS. Works wonders around here. I've driven in some pretty bad snow storms. But then again, if you dont wanna do that, then you'll have to go another route. This is my 2nd winter with my current winter setup. I have the Firebird takeoff rims from SLP ($50 a piece!) and got the Firestone Winterfire tires (about $70 a piece!) pretty cheap! Just add some weight in the trunk and your set for a blizzard!
-------------------- 2004 Cavalier LS Sport Coupe Manual,Sunroof,16" Chrome, Zaino!!! http://community.webshots.com/user/pazbich3 Used to Drive: 2001 Camaro SS #3220 Posts: 2651 | From: Enola (Harrisburg Area), Pennsylvania | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
There's only two more months left of winter. Drive it carefully. Maybe invest a few hundred in some spare cheapo steel rims, some cheapo all season tires and give it a thorough cleaning in the spring. No reason to get rid of it.
Posts: 878 | From: Hoffman Estates, IL | Registered: Feb 2000
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quote:Originally posted by poSSum: Dissenting opinion.
With where the market for Camaros is right now, you can take a bath now, or take your chances later.
I'd just drive it. There seem to be so many people "babying" these cars that you shouldn't have a problem picking up a pristine example years down the road if you so chose.
It's been said before but worth repeating ...cars are generally lousy investments.
Possum, definitely didn't buy it as an invstment. However, if I am going to get anything for this car, the time is now. I'm not upside down, so I could have a decent down payment on a new car. Warranty is up and it can be pretty expensive to maintain, so it is basically drive it or make a switch. Would kill me to watch it deteriorate, but at times i am really leaning that way. Decisions, decisions.
-------------------- 01 SS - #1321, 6sp, T-tops, SLP D/D, SLP mats & key fobs, SLP Bilstein, SLP PP lid - SOLD, gone but not forgotten 87 Iroc - 5sp, TPI, T-top, G92 Pics http://www.highspeeddriving.com/phpbb2/index.php Posts: 388 | From: NJ | Registered: Dec 2002
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quote:Originally posted by DanPazich: Just slap some winter wheels/tires on the SS. Works wonders around here. I've driven in some pretty bad snow storms. But then again, if you dont wanna do that, then you'll have to go another route. This is my 2nd winter with my current winter setup. I have the Firebird takeoff rims from SLP ($50 a piece!) and got the Firestone Winterfire tires (about $70 a piece!) pretty cheap! Just add some weight in the trunk and your set for a blizzard!
Thanks, now I know what to expect cost wise. How is your SS holding up under daily driver duty? I know you had some tranny problems, but other than that? Mine is basically daily driven, except winter and I'll have to make that purchase for next winter.
quote:Originally posted by Mark IXZD 150: There's only two more months left of winter. Drive it carefully. Maybe invest a few hundred in some spare cheapo steel rims, some cheapo all season tires and give it a thorough cleaning in the spring. No reason to get rid of it.
Thanks too. Right now I have access to a winter car, but that will not be the case next winter. Possibly looking a little too far ahead, but don't want to be in a position where I have to sell next winter and get screwed.
-------------------- 01 SS - #1321, 6sp, T-tops, SLP D/D, SLP mats & key fobs, SLP Bilstein, SLP PP lid - SOLD, gone but not forgotten 87 Iroc - 5sp, TPI, T-top, G92 Pics http://www.highspeeddriving.com/phpbb2/index.php Posts: 388 | From: NJ | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
Rust in 3 years or sooner. That's what will happen if you drive it winters. My 99 work vehicle has first cancer on a seam, and my 96 truck has door bottom seams splitting open / rotting through already. Despite Detroit attempts to sell us on galv metal, blah blah blah, they are still rust buckets with so many places for salt slurry to etch and attack the joints and lips.
And unless you are driving an Audi AWD, watch out when the rear starts spinning out- they cut great cookies but don't steer for squat with those wide tires. Himmlers HMS lost it on rain soaked roads, let alone ice patches.
Paint jobs not including major rust extraction cost $3,000. Off season comprehensive only costs couple hundred. Winter rust buckets cost $500 to $1500. Do the math.
-------------------- 02 Firehawk TA coupe 67 Firebird Vert Posts: 25 | From: Burlington, IA | Registered: Aug 2003
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Have it oil sprayed, drive it, and wash it!
The key to no rust is to wash the salt off regularly. I washed mine again yesterday. I grease the doors and the locks, and they don't freeze. Of course it's my 99 Suburban, it's out in everything and not a drop of rust on it.
-------------------- Hawkeye: SSOA F98-C98
1998 SS - Black All Options - Mods Whisper Lid, K & N, Lou's Short Stick, Shift Light, Skip Shift, SLP Y, Borla, 4:10's, BMR STB, SLP SFCs, Granatelli MAF, Hypertech III, 160 Stat, Mallory Billet Pedals, Metco Aluminum LCAs,Fast Toys Ram Air Mod, Spohn Panhard Bar, BMR Torque Arm, free EGR mod,power antenna, BMR LCA brackets, Gentex Temp/Compass Auto Dim Mirror, AllMaxx Strobe and Wig Wag, BAER Eradispeed rotors,PPC Headers with Random Technology Hi Flow Cats, BMR Drive shaft Loop,FAST 78MM Throttle Body, FAST 78MM Composite Intake, Mobil 1 & lots of Zaino.
Wife & Best Friend Mary - copilot. Posts: 5558 | From: Windsor, Ontario. Canada | Registered: Feb 2000
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My car has held up great actually! Besides the minor 'expected' warranty problems, I can honestly say it cleans up well, and I'm proud to show it at car shows! (this is the third winter for my SS) Here's a few pics after last winter which was pretty rough...
-------------------- 2004 Cavalier LS Sport Coupe Manual,Sunroof,16" Chrome, Zaino!!! http://community.webshots.com/user/pazbich3 Used to Drive: 2001 Camaro SS #3220 Posts: 2651 | From: Enola (Harrisburg Area), Pennsylvania | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
The cars will hold up fine in the snow and salt, I drove f-cars through NJ winters for 5 years until I could afford a beater. As said above, if you get the salt off soon and keep the car otherwise clean you won't have any problems.
Now get this, in NJ if you buy a cheap beater and insure IT as the primary driver and keep the SS as a pleasure vehicle, you will pay MUCH LESS (almost half) as you would to just have the SS insured by itself. That being said, the j-body platform (Sunbird/Sunfire and Cavalier) makes a great winter beater and you should be able to find a used one for around 2-3grand in nice shape with less than 70k on it. You could make that money back in insurance in probably 2-3 years.
NJ Winters are not harsh enough to warrant selling your f-body though. I've done it, and if push came to shove I'd do it again.
posted
Opposing view here. If you sell it becasue you hate to see it driven in the winter...what guarantee do you have that the new owner will not drive it in the winter. If that is the case what have you gained, except the loss of your Camaro.
As PoSSum said, cars make a lousy investment. It has been my experience that when you sell a non-winter driven car, you do not get much added value for it. You will be quoted the book value and that is it. Albeit, you will get the excellent condition value, but no premium over that.
We have driven our '94 Vette and '98 Firebird all year round since they were new. Both are in very good shape. There is no rust on the Firebird, and the Vette has had only extremely minor corrosion issues, being a couple of points of surface corrosion on the edges of the frame that were easily taken car of. Caught them early...see below.
What is important is to keep the underside protected with undercoating or an oil spray and keep the bottom of the car clean. In the winter, we spend more time spraying the bottom of the cars at the car wash then the shiny side...and we do this on a weekly basis. Then in the spring, I crawl under each car, clean everything, inspect for problem areas and re-paint if needed....something like what Greg does with his Brickyard 400.
I have had people look at both cars and stare in disbelief that they are year round drivers...they look that good.
So, I would say, drive it year round put snows on all four corners and do the added maintenance.
Posts: 383 | From: Oakville, Ontario Canada | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Thanks all! Dan that car looks great! Certainly very well kept. Mike, nice to hear your point of view, especially since you are in NJ. Bill, I sent you a PM before checking this post; thanks for your thoughts too, I had more issues with driving the car into the ground myself. I am really leaning towards keeping the car and driving it...guess I'll have to baby the next gen camaro. Mark
-------------------- 01 SS - #1321, 6sp, T-tops, SLP D/D, SLP mats & key fobs, SLP Bilstein, SLP PP lid - SOLD, gone but not forgotten 87 Iroc - 5sp, TPI, T-top, G92 Pics http://www.highspeeddriving.com/phpbb2/index.php Posts: 388 | From: NJ | Registered: Dec 2002
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That's going to change this spring...hopefully...but will I have to pay back registration fees? To top it off, the Iroc is still in pop's name, but that will change this spring.
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I am really leaning towards keeping the car and driving it...guess I'll have to baby the next gen camaro. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
