Winter in Washington State?

[JessBorck]

I just bought a NBC back in april - so I have not gone through a winter with it yet. I am little concerned because I have moved and do not have a garage/carport/covering of any kind for the car, and it rains CONSTANTLY here. What would anyone else who is in the same or similar position as me do? I have been toying with the idea of when it gets super cold to put a tarp over the top at night, but if the top is already wet, ice will still build up. Also, right when it starts to rain the water on the top starts to bead a little but not for long. After that it just is wet. HELP!

* I posted this in another catagory, but thought this one fit better? *

[Evanrude]

Originally Posted by JessBorck

I just bought a NBC back in april - so I have not gone through a winter with it yet. I am little concerned because I have moved and do not have a garage/carport/covering of any kind for the car, and it rains CONSTANTLY here. What would anyone else who is in the same or similar position as me do? I have been toying with the idea of when it gets super cold to put a tarp over the top at night, but if the top is already wet, ice will still build up. Also, right when it starts to rain the water on the top starts to bead a little but not for long. After that it just is wet. HELP!

* I posted this in another catagory, but thought this one fit better? *

I've lived in Washington *almost* my entire life.

I just park my car outside and live with it

I DO miss having a garage... but car covers are really worthless. If / When we ever get ice, it's pretty swift and it's almost always a freezing rain.

Snow, when we get it, comes in and just brushes off the car : )

But I might recommend a good waxing before the winter starts to protect the paint!

I'm just a couple hours south of you by the way.

I'm trying to arrange a small Get-together on the 27th of this month.. don't know if you'd be around....

[Evanrude]

P.S., WELCOME HOME

The org is the place to be

[JessBorck]

Thank you for reply so quickly! It definatley easies my mind. I am looking outside at the storm we are supposed to have today and tonight. LOL. I don't mind having Gretta outside as long as it doesn't hurt her top :-) And I will do that wax job as soon as I can! Thanks again!

** This month? I might be able to swing it - what city would it be in?

[dnyed]

The one thing you can do to protect your NBC is prevention. Invest in a top cleaner called RaggTopp. Your car will love you for it.

Google it. It is not available in stores. And, I hope to see you in on of our PNW GTG's!

[Evanrude]

Originally Posted by JessBorck

Thank you for reply so quickly! It definatley easies my mind. I am looking outside at the storm we are supposed to have today and tonight. LOL. I don't mind having Gretta outside as long as it doesn't hurt her top :-) And I will do that wax job as soon as I can! Thanks again!

** This month? I might be able to swing it - what city would it be in?

Yup, this month!

Saturday the 27th. The city. THAT one we are still trying to figure out!

One of our members, FarrisK , is coming from eastern Washington, so about a 5-6 hour drive from him to Vancouver, WA. So originally we were going to do it there.

Then YellowHerbie in Seattle wanted us to come see him on the 27th.

So I'm trying to find the best place for everyone to meet where it's easy to get to , and nobody will get lost

[Evanrude]

Originally Posted by dnyed

The one thing you can do to protect your NBC is prevention. Invest in a top cleaner called RaggTopp. Your car will love you for it.

Google it. It is not available in stores. And, I hope to see you in on of our PNW GTG's!

You still going to be able to make the 27th?

[Evanrude]

Originally Posted by JessBorck

Thank you for reply so quickly! It definatley easies my mind. I am looking outside at the storm we are supposed to have today and tonight. LOL. I don't mind having Gretta outside as long as it doesn't hurt her top :-) And I will do that wax job as soon as I can! Thanks again!

** This month? I might be able to swing it - what city would it be in?

Here is the link to where we are planning the GTG

http://newbeetle.org/forums/usa-west/23758-pnw-gtg-anyone-want-post350398.html

[Evanrude]

At this point several of the folks who originally were going to come to the GTG are not going to be able to make it.

So, I might just drive up north and meet you if you'll have the 27th off

[segue17]

sorry to interrupt...but for those of you from eastern washington/northern idaho -- any difficulty getting around in the winter months? i'm gearing up for my first winter this direction and not sure what to expect in the driving/handling capablity. (03 NB GLS, coming from western WA) -- thanks...

[AceJay]

I don't know if it'd apply to you, but when it rains here, the cover my parents used on their car actually kind of cleaned it, because when we took off the cover in the morning, the car was all shiny, but if you're expecting freezing, I wouldn't use a cover.

I hate not having a garage...

[Evanrude]

Hello again! Well it seems that everyone for the GTG bailed and went their own way.

So, if I drove up there on the 28th (A Sunday) , would you be available to meet up?

We could grab lunch somewhere and say hi

[JessBorck]

I just got back on the board and saw all the responses for the meetup. I just got a job I have been trying to get for a while and so I am on call for training the next 3 weeks. So no meet up for me :-( Sorry about that!

[FarrisK]

Originally Posted by segue17

sorry to interrupt...but for those of you from eastern washington/northern idaho -- any difficulty getting around in the winter months? i'm gearing up for my first winter this direction and not sure what to expect in the driving/handling capablity. (03 NB GLS, coming from western WA) -- thanks...

Last winter, I had no problems, but Stinky was garaged at night during most of the winter. I did take a short road trip with some friends up to Spokane in the middle of December where I went through some roads that were a bit... scary. Snow scraping the bottom of the car... Farris making crying sounds... Farris's friends making fun of him... anyways!

I wouldn't worry about it. Unless you live in a place that gets massive amounts of snow (like the mountains up towards Canada), the Beetle will be fine.

[LadybugEwa]

Look at my location ^
Ladybug and I know something about winter driving.
I run snow/ice tires on her in winter - best $400 I ever spent.
My Ladybug's very basic compared to what you have in your 03.
I don't even have ABS
Despite this, Ladybug's a great snow beast.
During blizzards we're in the passing lane, ahead of the SUVs The NB is very stable, not given to spinouts, and the bublle-shape promotes visibility.
I'd say the snow tires are about 50% of the winter driving safety, and the other 50% is your skill. Everyone needs to learn how to drive in winter - unfortunately few people (even here in Toronto) do .
I can't wait for the first snowfall
The general overreaction is priceless, and quite hilarious to see if you're not in a hurry to get to work. Someone here described it before as "the snowflakes of death." Everyone on the highway pretty much decides to slow down to a crawl like they're looking for a spot to park for the winter.