Two-tone winter beater
Actually, I forgot to make a couple of important points.
1. This is my third winter and the car has often looked like this in spite of more regular washing. There are lots of places for salty snow to collect and while I'm at work, it sits in heated parking so the snow/salt melts and creates one of the worst possible corrosive environments (although not quite as bad as living near the ocean). Anyway, the point I'd like to make is that I have yet to see any negative impact on the body or undercarriage. I think the guy in Toronto with 500km's on his '92 is another 'proof point' that the car holds up very well contrary to those who worry about those kinds of things.
2. I've come to the conclusion that by washing it more often in the winter, I probably put the finish at greater risk trying to get that road grime off of there.
3. I've also come to the conclusion that clean, shiny exotic cars probably attract more resentment and reaction from those who might damage it. Heck, who'd damage it .. it already looks like it's been vandalized! I take it everywhere .. Walmart, Home Depot, the malls, the grocery stores .. it's wonderful to not have to stress over it.
4. From day one, I have intentionally challenged the notion that the car couldn't be an all season daily driver so to some extent, the look is sort of a 'badge of honor'.. proof that I've been out there going toe-to-toe with the SUVs. We had a major storm through here about 2 weeks ago (50 car pile-up and a 20-car pileup due to ice and bad visibility) and I saw people's jaws drop when they saw the car. The snow was so deep I was levelling it and a couple of times I'd hit a drift and it would come up over the hood (because I have the center opening blocked off). Wish I'd taken some pictures!
It's one thing to make a great sports car .. it's another to make a great sports car that's also a great daily driver all year round. We are blessed .. you have no idea how good this car really is!