I just ordered all of the stuff to properly put my car to sleep for the winter. I could probably drive it most of the winter in Seattle, but not the best option on UHP summer tires. Plus, why add that much more wear and tear to the paint and top when I have a perfectly entertaining daily driver for the rainy season...

My 2007 VW Rabbit winter car with the 12 year rust warranty so far has had the rear hatch, two front fenders, and hood replaced due to rust and rear quarter panel fixed and roof fixed for the same.
Yes, it's true cars are getting better at staying rust free but also how many old cars do you see on the road. I'm betting the majority of cars we see on the road are either under five years old or haven't seen a whole lot of winter driving in the rust belt. Rust proofing does work for the body but doesn't do anything for the rest of the car.

Winter driving also means that the undercarriage and lower body panels are often in direct contact with ice blocks and frozen slosh from wheel wells that dent up fenders and rocker panels. Getting over/through snow banks at intersections and driveways does in bumper covers and underbody trays. All hardware under the care rusts to ****************. Exhaust takes a hit from all this as well.
Ice buildup in door jams, window weatherstripping, freezing rain, door locks, frozen gass lines, batteries struggling with -30 to -40C. It's all great for cars:D

Why do I live here again:chicken:

Here, a brine solution is applied before snow. Then salting is kept to a minimum. Chains or snow tires only required in the canyons.

Interesting, I'm not sure if they use salt here in Colorado or not. I know they use that goopy de-icer stuff.

Do you guys think there are any benefits to the engines/ transmissions/ etc being driven periodically rather than sitting for months at a time.

I know I won't be finding out! All winter, baby! (Unless it's under the wrench)

I agree totally. You will see plenty of rusted out older cars around here. Plus the amount of snow we get here is nuts. Over 120 inches a year. Hell it didn't get above freezing here for the whole month of February, so none of it melted. There were towns near me that still had piles in parking lots until June lol. Down south they get 3 inches of snow and shut the whole city down for a few days. Here we get two feet in a day and nothing closes. I'll just drive the Jeep all winter and keep my baby safe in the garage.

No, no benefits at all. Just keep the battery charged and change the oil before storage.