Moving To Chicago Very Soon: Need Some Info on Cars and Taxis In Chicago

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

They use salt here.

Also, parallel parking leads to small dings and nicks on the bumpers.

The city definitely isn't easy on a car.

[windycitychicago]

My husband just got rid of his favorite car, saab convertible. We don't miss it much, the weather here is a little extreme. Plus not too fond of messy hair and my son doesn't really like the top down either. I say bring your car if you already have a convertible. if your moving to the gold coast you can walk to some of the best dealerships around (Mercedes Benz, BMW's, etc.) You picked the perfect place to move in the city!

I usually pay $40 to the airport, you can get there by taking the El or train in I think it's apx $2.00 one way. cabs are every where, I was able to catch a cab at 5:15 am yesterday, to go to the Oprah show... If your living in a highrise your parking may be expensive and some people don't even need a car downtown. Parking spots run apx $30 - $40k to buy and I would say at least $300 if you are renting one, but might be included in your rent.

Good luck and hope you love Chicago..try and hit some of the good restaurants in your new hood... oh and the Starbucks on Rush - good people watching.

feel free to email me if you have any questions: vanceandginger@yahoo.com

[Chicago60614]

Coming from other midwest states, the city itself is VERY good at clearing the snow and getting rid of the ice pretty damn quick. They use salt instead of sand, so pretty much once it finally stops snowing (12 hour snows are about the longest you'll get, maybe once or twice a year) the streets are usually clear by the next morning. Side streets take more time, but as for the major driving areas, you don't really have to worry about slipping and sliding around much after 24 hours or so when the snow stops flying.

My mom has had convertibles in Iowa for the past 30 years and loves them, just get one that's not irrational to use in winter and you can love it in the summer. I never even though about hers being stupid for Iowa, she just keeps the top up in winter and leaves it down all summer.

[jcp123]

How long does it take for the salt to consume a car? I've seen some horror stories driving along in the Sierras, leftovers from the days before California switched to sand. As I said, I'm not overly emotionally attached to my car, but it's pretty rare and I'd like to keep as much of its resale intact as I can...

[Drover]

Wash it once a week during the winter, making sure to use a car wash with underbody wash, and you'll be fine.

[J Randolph]

convertibles are great from June to October. Take the L not taxis. Where are you going to live?

[jcp123]

Originally Posted by Drover

Wash it once a week during the winter, making sure to use a car wash with underbody wash, and you'll be fine.

If that's the case, I'll probably just buy a beater for the winter. I don't mind washing the car all the time since I already do, but I have amazingly poor circulation in my hands, so keeping them warm is just a wishful thought for me...

I wouldn't have figured you could wash in winter. Won't that freeze on the car or make a big ice sheet on the driveway? Sorry, I've never lived in the snowbelt before, just trying to understand how it works day-to-day...

[Drover]

Originally Posted by jcp123

If that's the case, I'll probably just buy a beater for the winter. I don't mind washing the car all the time since I already do, but I have amazingly poor circulation in my hands, so keeping them warm is just a wishful thought for me...

I wouldn't have figured you could wash in winter. Won't that freeze on the car or make a big ice sheet on the driveway? Sorry, I've never lived in the snowbelt before, just trying to understand how it works day-to-day...

You run it through a car wash. Most cars washes here are the "stall" variety rather than "conveyer" variety, and in either case they have garage doors on both ends that they keep closed during the winter (garage door opens to let you in then closes behind you after you pull in; another garage door on the other end opens when you're done and closes behind you when you pull out) and the wash bays are heated enough to keep things from freezing. The washes also have blow-dryers that get enough of the water off that you won't have problems with doors freezing shut. I did have one older car with a door-seal design that made it particularly prone to the doors being frozen shut at the seals, but for most other cars it's not a problem.

[jessiegirl_98]

Originally Posted by jcp123

If that's the case, I'll probably just buy a beater for the winter. I don't mind washing the car all the time since I already do, but I have amazingly poor circulation in my hands, so keeping them warm is just a wishful thought for me...

I wouldn't have figured you could wash in winter. Won't that freeze on the car or make a big ice sheet on the driveway? Sorry, I've never lived in the snowbelt before, just trying to understand how it works day-to-day...

All of this being said, my car did get some salt damage and did get "dings" on the front and back bumper from parallel parking. If you love your car and will get super upset at any bump or scratch, I wouldn't recommend having it in the city (also been scratched when I paid for garage parking, so that isn't full proof either). If you want to enjoy the city with your car, go for it! Just don't get too upset if you get some minor dings and slight damage.

[jcp123]

Originally Posted by Drover

You run it through a car wash. Most cars washes here are the "stall" variety rather than "conveyer" variety, and in either case they have garage doors on both ends that they keep closed during the winter (garage door opens to let you in then closes behind you after you pull in; another garage door on the other end opens when you're done and closes behind you when you pull out) and the wash bays are heated enough to keep things from freezing. The washes also have blow-dryers that get enough of the water off that you won't have problems with doors freezing shut. I did have one older car with a door-seal design that made it particularly prone to the doors being frozen shut at the seals, but for most other cars it's not a problem.

Sounds like the solution! I can do that.

Jessie: Like I said, I'm not overly emotionally attached to my car, but I'd get a little heated over dents and nicks as far as resale goes...which is why we're planning on renting a nice house in a quiet suburb...