I'm fortunate to have the option of leaving my Mustang in the garage during bad weather. Whenever I leave it at home, people ask me where it is. When I tell them I left it at home because it's raining out, they just don't get it. I hear "oh, you're afraid it's going to rust", or some other stupid comment. Some people think it's funny. others just roll their eyes. Is this a Northern New York thing, or do you guys experience this too?

 

People actually reserve me the only double sized parking spot in the entire company lot. Run up and tell me about possible hail warnings.

Can't complain.

 

I'm self-emplyed, so my boss ribs me all the time about taking the beater Escort when it rains... oh wait... that's the voices in my head again...

 

Why do you avoid the rain?

I've never had a car that has never seen rain, so it's a bit odd to me that someone would never drive their car in rain. If it was a show car, I would understand that perfectly. If it was an exotic like Ferrari or Lamborghini, or even just a really nice car like a Porsche Carrera, M3 or M5, etc., I would understand that.

Snow is a different story - the chances of someone running into you, or losing control yourself, are definitely greater in snow.

My philosophy is that I bought the car to enjoy it, and if I was going to park it during the winter or when it rains, then that's less time for enjoying it. I enjoy turning off the traction control and spinning the tires on a wet road. Getting the car all dirty is no fun, but mine gets washed every weekend anyway, so no biggie for me.

The bottom line is even if I had a beater, I'd still take the Mustang to work every day, except during a snowstorm.

 

i agree with you totally....the worst is when people spend all that money on classics and dont even drivw them...what a waste...

 

I also park mine when the weather is bad and drive my Ranger. I bought it specifically for that reason. My coworkers joked with me when I first took delivery of the stang that "the weather must be nice today since I noticed you drove the stang". I've always taken good care of my vehicles but this one I am babying more than usual. I really love my car and I guess by not driving it every day makes it that much more special.

 

I avoid the rain because I like to keep it nice and clean, and yes, in show car condition. I don't think you can say I don't drive it......I have a little over 5000 miles on it since May 20th.

 

I too elect not to drive my stang in bad weather. When it is raining, I will take my '05 Escape, that is what it is there for. My girlfriend and I drive to work together, so on nice days, I drive and bad days , she drives.
I plan on buying a small piece of s&%$ for this winter t get me back and forth.

 

I keep mine parked on rainy days too. I have my truck for those days. I dont mind getting caught in the rain with the mustang, but its no fun to drive it that way. I save it for the sunny days.

 

You are not alone, believe me! If there's even a threat of rain I have two other rides that can get wet. Around here rain does more than just make your car wet. I've waited too long for this ride to have that finish spotted with the acid filled pollution from the skies. Let them roll their eyes.

Mine isn't a commute car anyways and on those sunny days when I do drive the Stang to work it makes the commute much more bearable.

As for snow, forget it. I'm keeping this baby for at least ten years and it shall see no salt. :nono:

 

My mustang is my 3rd car so I get to be picky about driving it only in nice weather but for many years it was my daily driver and everything was fine.

What I catch crap for is putting a car cover on my vehicles when parked outdoors (kept in the garage when at home). People at work rib me about putting the "car condom" on but that is ok. How many people do you know running around with a mint black interior that is over 35 years old!

I covered my F-150 for about 4 years and finally gave up on it and decided it will be my "beater" and I caugh the most flack for covering that thing. But there are always a couple of car guys at work and so we look out for one another.

 

I have to drive mine no matter what but... 320 ft/lbs + water = not good.

 

My wife and neighbours tell me that I wash my car too much and that in a few years there will be no paint left on it. What do they know anyways, they never wash thier cars. Right now I have no choice but to drive it every day, darn huh It will be going into storage soon, but once it comes back out, the only time it will see rain is when I am cruising around and it starts pouring or something.

 

I don't drive mine in the rain or snow either. I plan that in 2015 (whoa) the car will look like it just left AAI.

 

I agree with you, especially since my car is black. It is a pain to keep clean. I don't get any fun out of driving it in the rain so I don't feel that I am missing out when I park it.

Some people at work use my car as a weather forecast for the day. "Mark brought his car, it must not be going to rain today" <_<

 

I have a "classic" 69 Cougar XR-7 428CJ convertible that I do drive on occasion. I don't consider it a waste not to drive it. The less time it spent on the roads, equals the less likely it will meet an accident or other event. I know of three classic Cougar this year alone that have been totaled in accidents, no fault of the their owners. Some people drive them every day...more power to 'em. But classics are a finite number, once they are gone that's it! I plan on keeping my Cougar for a long long time. If it sits for a month or two it's no big deal. It's garaged, covered, and started every couple of weeks. None the worse for wear;-)

I can however buy a new Mustang again.

 

I baby the car too... guilty.
I'll drive in the rain if I HAVE to...but if not, I'll leave it parked.
Mostly because its cleaned and washed all the time..or at least try to be.

What I do NOT do is drive it to certain area's...
IE: Downtown at night, because of drunk idiots who may be jelous or not like the car.

Quickstory.... a buddy of mine keeps making fun of me for it, because he just doesn't 'get it'
"Other people drive their car downtown exactly like yours"
(When they don't....)
So one night I drove, but I parked infront of this one bar on a sunday night, we stood at a table just inside in view of the car.
"Its just a car"
Over that night, at least 50 people stopped to look or take pictures of the car. (Just a car...yep..just a car)

That same night he gave me heck for moving a shopping cart away from the car....why? "Its not gonna hit it"
he doesn't get a gust of wind or some jack could do something.

One day years from now when its 'not so new, and theres tonnes of them around'
Then maybe I'll drive it downtown...

No its NOT just a car....HE just doesn't get it.

 

When I was working, I had a 92 Pontiac Bonneville. I bought it new and kept it until I got the 05 Mustang GT. Here in Phoenix, sun is the main problem with car paint and interiors. So I covered the Bonneville everyday at work since we did not have covered parking. Nobody ever cared or mentioned why I did that. But you know what, that car looked almost new after 13 years. I've always cared for my vehicles. It makes me feel good driving a nice looking, well cared for vehicle. Now I take extra care of my Mustang but I am fortunate enough to be retired and she stays in the garage when I'm not driving her.

 

[attachmentid=34874][attachmentid=34874]People rag on me for using a car cover.also I have a wall separater in my garage to avoid dings from the wife and kids.(see pic)When people see that,they think I'm wacko.but I look at their vehicles(all dirty and dinged)and I'm glad I do it.As far as the rain goes,you guys up north have the luxury of knowing if it's gonna be a rainy day.here in Fl., it can be sunny one min and the next its pouring.it also rains everyday during the summer,so there is no way i'm not gonna leave my car home all summer.the only thing I worry about is hail.people also make fun of the towels I put on my seats.Ya can't win I tell ya.

 

The people I work with give me crap because I drove it in the rain. I bought the thing to drive, not leave it parked just to say I have it. Now, when it snows, me and the missus will just stay home. She'll get paid anyway, and I AIN'T going to attempt it.