Purchasing a premium sports car you actually love comes with a certain kind of protectiveness.
Unlike a commuter Honda or Toyota, you’re happy to drive through pretty much anything, a Porsche feels like a car you want to preserve.
That’s the dilemma one TikToker recently faced when he started thinking about the upcoming winter and what snow, salt, and slush might do to his new vehicle.
Car Enthusiast Considers Purchasing a Winter-Only Car
TikTok creator @blkmotor, who often posts car content, asked his followers whether buying a cheap winter-only car might actually make sense.
He films himself sitting in his Porsche as he talks through the idea. “So I’ve had this Porsche for about six months now,” he says. “And this is gonna be the first winter driving it.”
After a week of snow, he admits the experience isn’t great, not because of the vehicle itself. “It really handles really well in the snow,” he says. What bothers him is everything the winter roads leave behind.
“When I get home in my garage, and all that snow and all that salt is still up on the bottom of my car,” he says. He’s starting to question whether this is worth it in the long term.
So now he’s thinking about dropping a few grand on a winter beater. “I feel like that three to five thousand dollar investment is gonna be very good,” he says, because it would “keep this car nice and clean and healthy through the winter” and help hold its value.
What Do Commenters Say?
Most people who commented on his post thought it was a pretty good idea, though some had reservations.
“Salt not gonna matter unless you’re keeping the car for 10+ years. Just get weekly under carriage wash,” one person wrote.
Another supported his plan: “Definitely, the move would help drastically with longevity of the vehicle.”
Others pointed out that, while protecting the Porsche makes sense, cars are ultimately meant to be driven. “Salt is so bad,” someone wrote. “But a car is meant to be driven. Choice is yours.”
One more added, “Most people cover or garage them for the winter.”
Are Porsches Good for the Winter?
There’s no rulebook that says you can’t drive a Porsche in the snow. In fact, modern Porsches are engineered to handle all kinds of climates and be driven year-round. Capability aside, though, winter wear and tear is an important element to consider.
Snow, salt, and debris can corrode the undercarriage and damage paint over time. That’s why some dealerships recommend winter-specific maintenance such as consistent washing and waxing, applying a ceramic coating, and even using a custom-fit indoor or outdoor cover.
For owners who choose to store their sports cars through the winter, experts suggest checking fluids regularly, ensuring tire pressure is correct, keeping the battery maintained, and monitoring the vehicle while it’s off the road.
Are Winter-Only Vehicles Worth It?
Deciding whether to buy a vehicle just for one specific season comes down to each car owner’s personal comfort and priorities, as well as how bad the season gets.
A winter-only car lets you protect your primary vehicle, especially if it’s something meaningful or high-value like a Porsche. Driving a cheaper car through snow and salt can extend the lifespan of the nicer one and lower long-term maintenance costs.
People who rely on AWD or 4×4 also say a designated winter vehicle simply feels safer in certain conditions. And for those who eventually resell their sports car, “hasn’t been driven in winter” is a genuine selling point that can bump up the price.
On the other hand, it does mean spending extra money you don’t technically need to spend. If you stay on top of maintenance, which will take more effort, you’ll probably be fine driving a nicer car through the winter.
Motor1 has reached out to Porsche and @blkmotor via email for more information. We’ll update this if either responds.