Snow/Rain, yes they still work!

Love these cars being driven...wierd that in the USA we are all so worried about weather and miles...NOT me I drove my SV all winter in snow tires..I am out enjoying life, not watching it rot away in the Garage..and the winter befor my 2001 Diablo SE #19..what will I use this winter??

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/st-moritz-2010-lamborghini-run/#3104153
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

nice pics

p.s. i drive my cars, but i am not brave enough to drive a countach in the snow

 

Stuck on flat ground.

 

I like. But 2wd Lambo in snowy conditions -> not a very good idea!

 

I admire your bravery but it would take ages to get all the mud and stone chips out after a drive like that!

 

I mean this as a serious question and not a poke - will your insurance cover you if you're out operating in 'extreme conditions' like that and there's an accident? I would be afraid they'd view it in the same vein as racing, where its outside the 'normal' realm of operation?

 

Save yourself the rust and move down to Northern California. You would save a ton on shipping (cars) to Gilroy! ;-)

 

Of course not..it is a Public roadway that is open for publkic transportation..

That would be the same as if you wrecked your Honda Accord..they going to say

"It was snwoing, you should not have been driving in it" ??

 

Roy, that makes sense, I just have very little faith in insurance companies. I would expect them to say that due to the value you have a higher level of responsibility or whatever the proper term is...

Does anyone else fear that or am I just paranoid?

 

I think as long as you have the proper tires, they will cover you. But if you crash with summer tires , what will they say?

 

If the tires are legal, I don't see how it's an issue. If the tires came on the car stock, no way they can refuse you.

 

Roy:

Of course you are right, yes Lamborghinis will work in the snow.

I would further add that the current crop of 4-wd cars (Murci and Gallardo) were actually made for driving in the snow, and accordingly Lamborghini sometimes holds its Driving Academy in the snow.

Years ago I too was baffled as to why enthusiasts in the USA tended not to take the cars out in inclement weather, and tended to want to not put too many miles on their cars. But as I become involved in the cars on the professional side, I came to understand why. Its obvious to state that they were built simply for driving, but, there are some other issues at play.

Mileage: the reasons many USA buyers of exotics keep the miles low is really quite easy to understand whether we agree with it or not. Firstly, these cars are quite expensive, and many feel like they might not want to be married to them forever and might like to switch up in the future, and so they are looking to ensure that come divorce time they get a fair trade settlement. Many owners are not at the point of wealth where serious depreciation is something they can simply shrug their shoulders at. Easy to understand. On the other hand I know long-term owners of Countachs and Ferrari F40s with 100,000 miles on the clock. They have had the car for a long time and they never plan to sell it ever.
Secondly, many of the men (& women) who can afford these types of cars are really industrious types which is exactly what has allowed them the wealth to buy these cars in the first place. Accordingly, scheduling drives in their exotics is often a rare occurrence in their busy lives, but yet they accept a rare once-in-a-while drive, rather than no drive at all. Also easy to understand.

Maybe I'm just becoming a lot more understanding in my old age!

Weather: the reasons many USA buyers of exotics don't drive in the snow is - they have no snow where they live! Most exotics are sold in places like California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona and other fair-weather states, and so they will never encounter snow. Ever. Even those who live in states where it snows in the winter, often prefer to wait for better weather simply because it safer to drive such powerful cars in fair weather, and they are concerned about other motorists! This is very easy to understand.
Of course, its understood that if one has a 4-wd Lamborghini it might be fun to drive it in the snow, and the Murci & G are set up for this with sealed undersides and composite sills etc. But I would NEVER recommend the owner of a Countach or a Miura to drive it in the snow because those cars have chassis, suspensions, sills, gas tanks etc that are susceptible to serious corrosion issues. So again, its easy to understand why the owners of those Lamborghinis don't take them out in the snow as a matter of choice.

In conclusion, taking your car out in the snow, or minimizing the mileage all comes down to personal choice, whats right for you and what suits your circumstances, and there is no right way or 'better' way to enjoy these cars. The nice thing is that they can indeed be driven in the snow if one wants to, and they can be driven to extreme mileage if one wants that, but its OK if one doesn't.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Paraniod..

 

I bet I was the only lambo on the road the couple actual snow days in the Dallas-Ft Worth area. I did get stuck trying to get up my driveway.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Very good points Joe..I also look at it this way..

First off, MOST of the areas in the USA do NOT use salt anylonger as it directly efects both their drain and sewage systmes as well as is harmful to the eco system as it drains into rivers and other waterways. In the PNW here it has been baned for some time, mainly due to the harmful effects on the Salmon population. Most all major locations have gone to either sand or a chemical based de-icer formula.

Next, and this is the BIGGEST mis-understanding...I cant speak for other brand as I do not know directly, but with Lamborghini ALL their cars from 2002 on were specificaly built with winter conditions in mind. The cars are equiped with underside pannning that just about seals the car up, as well special coating and the use of a lot of material that is not cause for concern of harsh wnter conditions.

Lamborghini has a major market share in areas, i.e. Europe, Russia etc etc that REQUIRES these cars to be winter ready and useable. USA is one of the ONLY few areas that these cars are used for "fair" weather driving. Most ALL other locations Lamborghinis are driven year round and are completely reliable and resilant for these conditions.

In Europe Lamborghini offers multiple snow/Ice winter driving schools as well as an option of "winter" package inclusive of winter correct tires for their AWD cars. You can cruise the intrnet and caputure MULTIPLE imiages of these cars being drivin in extreme winter conditions all year long around the world, other than the USA.

Yes, in the USA it may not be for everyone...many here have for years been brain washed by Exotic car Dealers that their exspensice car is not worth crap after it reaches 5K miles or has seen rain. We, for the most part treat our Exotic cars as pieces of art work..polish them constantly, leave them parked month after month..and what do we end up with..?

A car that in most cases has STILL dropped in value and a lot of time requires exspensive maintance to bring the car into proper working order as it has sat and rotted out the seals, tires amongst many other things. Machines were not designed to sit idle..it is one of the worst things that can be done to a machine. The thought of a battery tender and startng it once a month and letting it idle is no better for it either...they have to be moved, exercised, driven at operating tempratures for a period of time to get all the parts moving and correctly lubercated.

The argument of loss of value with miles is a mis-conception as well. ALL cars (most production cars) WILL loose money. On the average a loss of $2.00 per mile is standard along with the standard % depreciaton hit depending on the time of year, the type and model of the car as well as the current econemy. So as the depreciation stays the same, the only thing that goes up is the miles cost hit as well. If you place an extra 10K on your car in miles, figure an extra $20K loss at re-sale time..so is the enjoyment of the car worth that..IMO yes, if it is not you really should not buy the car in the first place..either rent one for a short period of driving season or re-sale every 6 months prior to hitting 3K miles..BUT you will see in time that as well cost you money.

As far as "not caring" due to boat load of money for the next guy..I think some may sell vehicles that have issues that may creep up..but if you research your purchase, but from reputabile person(s) you should have no issue. I can with out any question easily say for ALL the cars I have sold..my higher mile driven cars that have been properly maintianed have given my customers the most joy for their dollar and the most headache free operating cars. I also am a STRONG believer in NOT buying a BRAND NEW car. When ever possible buy a used car that has taken the depreciation hit the minute it left the lot, as they ALL do, you will have so much more pleasure in your new toy and the amount you have spent.

I also agree 100% with the post here of cars in salt ari rather then in salt roads. I would take a well maintained winter driven car over a costal salt air car any day of the week. With the numerous cars I have been threw...I can tell you the biggest damage to cars are the ones that have resided inb the hot/humid salt filled airs of typical ocean coast areas in the USA..HANDS DOWN..it wraps the car in a blanket of destructive corrosive air after sustanied exposer in these areas. Again, however if the car is maintained you should have no issue...but it is a deciding factor on the cars I purchase for re-sale.

IMO, I have worked to hard in the first half of my life for my toys, which is all these cars are, big boy toys. SO I am going to enjoy it as much as I can while I still can...after all the first half of your life is a climb up to your peak...money wise, body wise, mental ability wise...the second half..if you are lucky enought to make it to the whole second half..is downward in so many aspects..espicaly your ability physicaly and mentaly to operate these toys as they were meant to be operated.

Just think of this/

When you were 15 you could not wait to be 16 and get your drivers license, then you could not wait till 18 to get out of school, then you could not wait to be 21 to go to the bar, then you cpould not wait to be 25 or so, be married, have your first house and making good money..in all this time the age of 45-55 was out of your grasp and was "OLD". Well know you are 45-55, so whats next? 62 to get my Social Security Check, 65 to get Medicare, 70 to buy depends under garments..yep aint going to happen..take these years, enojoy them and hope you CAN look forwaqrd to 85 and being on the fun open road with your Lamborghini doing 120MPH...however...highly unlikely.

My 2 cents for the day..thanks for taking 6 minutes out of your life for reading this..NOW go DRIVE YOUR CAR!!
__________________
If you want to just look at it, buy a poster, otherwise drive like they were built to be driven!

 

point taken...Now if you'll excuse I have to put new tin-foil on the windows so big brother can't hear me typing

 

Great reading. I read all your postings by the way...

 

I would use caution with that...after all if your house catches on fire..the insurance company may deny the claim saying it slowed the "Firemen" down from getting into the house..

LOL Just messing with you..

 

Well perhaps not all cars, I think there have been some cars including one particular Lamborghini that never saw its price drop (yet)

 

Roy, you do understand that in the USA, every drop of rain = $50 off the value of the car.

 

Here's the guy from the picture Joe posted earlier (black LP640 Roadster LAM-666) with his new toy:

 

Having lived in northern Minnesota all my life, I can't get on board on this one.

Minnesota uses rock salt rather generously on the roads. While this makes much safer driving, it also rewards us with cracked windshields, cracked headlight lenses, large and small paint chips and worst of all, corrosion. Imagine passing a truck on the highway, the spray of liquified salt engulfing your lambo. All this being drawn into your engine bay, your radiators and your brakes/suspension via air intake venting. You will end up with corrosive salt in areas you've never even seen before. This is not something you want. It destroys just about everything it settles on. Hell it even breaks down the concrete in my driveway from where I park my GMC in the winter. Nasty, nasty stuff that you don't want anywhere near a Lambo.

And c'mon, lets face it, these cars can be driven in snowy conditions but there are much better vehicles for this. You could clean the hog pens in an Armani suit and Ostrich skin boots, but it's really not the best thing for it. Not picking on you rgregory, but my girlfriends fwd mini van could easily have driven up your driveway in the little snow you had. Wide tires and big torque are not what you want in snow and ice. Little or no ground clearance is also not good.

Now I did read in Roy's post that the PNW doesn't use salt anymore, but this is not the case with most snow states. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, North Dakota, Michigan, Ohio, New York and on and on use salt. I say get a nice Arctic Cat snowmobile and head for the mountains. I think you will find it much more fun than a white knuckled drive down an icy road in your Lambo.

Roy, if you must drive in winter, stick to the Diablo's. I don't want to see you or Kevin dragging my future Murci out of a snow drift with a log chain!

 

I usually keep quiet but have my thoughts when I see threads/thoughts like this.
Cars don't melt in rain, they just get an annoying film of dirt/oil in the undercarriage and engine that doesn't come off as easily as it does on the bodywork. If keeping an entire car clean is important to you, then you don't drive in the rain. That simple.

Cars rot in the snow. I live in the rustbelt and see what happens when cars are exposed to snow melting chemicals. Salt is a friend compared to the now used chemical agents that will melt just about everything including metal... over time.

Mileage kills resale. It's that simple. It's for a reason. We all talk about 'driving' our cars, but when we look for cars, what do we often look for? A low mileage garage queen that we then will 'redeem' by driving the snot out of it... then selling it. IF I sold whatever car I bought after a few years, then I too would be on this bandwagon and make fun of the people who want to maintain the initial condition of a car.

There's one person (that I know of) on this board who drove his exotic in the snow/rain/anything, year after year without selling it. And while that is supercool (it really is), what was his reward? A cracked/rotted frame that made driving it dangerous, and the car was sold off for probably a parting out or a mechanic's project. If everyone did this with their Ferraris/Lamborghinis, there wouldn't be a single pre '90s car here, unless someone would spend twice its worth restoring it. Sometimes we're keeping our girlfriends 'pure' for us, and not for their next boyfriend because in our eyes, there is no next boyfriend.

So while I totally understand your point Roy, sometimes other factors come into play. Do I want my car dirty/rusted because I wanted to 'enjoy it' in the conventional sense? Or do I enjoy it because after all this time, it's exactly how it was when I first got it, even though since then, I've lost my hair, or gained weight, or gotten divorced three times, or whatever. And with the population the way it is, and laws being what they are, when was the last time you were really able to enjoy your car as it was meant?

I have to go to my garage now, I think some dust may have settled on one of the cars since I wrote this and don't want my precious to melt (insert smiley here!)

 

I agree with others feelings...that is what makes the world go round..I dont live in the ICE cold mid west winters..(for a reason) so I can easily understand driving a tractor there instead of a exotic car..

I can also undersatnd persons wanting to keep thier investment..(which I dont think a car should be viewed as) as high a return as possible..that is their choice

For me, in the PNW..if I worried about the LOT of rain, and the 3 or so days we get snow..I would almost never get to drive my car from Sept till April...LOL LOL

I also really do not car about return investment...I worked for it..I am going to spend it..and have every intention of leaving this world as I came into

"Naked and without a dime to my name"

I have NO intention of letting USA Gov and State Gov get 40-60% of my estate with death taxes..IT WILL be gone befor I close my eyes for good..one way or another.

 

Well now if I had a garage full of Lamborghinis, and I am able to take my pick of which one to drive at any time, I certainly wouldn't be fretting over a bit of snow or rain either.

Not everyone who owns a Lamborghini automatically gets invited into the socioeconomic strata that allows them to drive these cars on a daily basis! To some, resale is important.

And, as an owner of a Lamborghini dealership, it could be argued that the philosophy of "drive it like you stole it" is one that would benefit your personal interests in the same way Gillette appreciates it when you use disposable razors.