This question is obviously not for everyone, but if you want to jump in with witticisms, feel free:

Where I live in Canada, we see snow for approximately five months of the year, in keeping with the stereotype. I've driven all kinds of light rear-drive vehicles all winter, but none as low as, or with a comparable weight distribution to the 944.

What is it like in deep snow, or on icey roads? Perhaps more importantly, what is it like in freeway slush?

 

My 951 with dedicated snows was great in the snow until it got stolen. Especially good in slush and solid pack. As you note, a deep snow causes plowing issues with the front air dam.

 

Its fun!

 

Until you hang up the frame on snow, I actually preferred it to my 328. For my purpose of comparison, I ran 4 Blizzaks on the 944 and 4 Nokians on the BMW. Both had/have open diffs.

The 944 generally had better traction and was less prone to spinning. You can get a tire to spin easily, but it doesn't want to change direction as drastically as the (also 50/50) BMW. When you wanted it to change direction, it was very predictable and felt like it was slow motion. Just don't get it to snap violently, then overcorrect.

My E36 feels on edge in snow with the traction control off. TCS on is annoying, as it can cut power in addition to applying ABS.

 

I drove my N/A all winter a few years ago, on half bald summer tires. Never had an issue, even in snow up to the rocker panel. I was very surprised, with a set of snow tires it would have been even better.

 

I ran mine all winter last year with snow tires. I know the GTA winter too well too. You can get the tail out, but is very predicatable and controllable.

 

Go ahead and give it a try! I live in a snow belt area and here is my observation and "witticism." "A man who holds a cat by it's tail will learn something he can learn in no other way." ---Mark Twain Seriously, with marginal tires, I couldn't move five feet without spinning out in two inches of snow. With new all-season tires, it was better but still scary. Porsche recommends studded tires.

 

I drove a 931 in AK for 7 years...narrow, dedicated snow tires...studded to boot

 

They're pretty good in the snow with all seasons and great with the latest crop of snows. I drove mine all last winter up to the ski resorts in utah 4 days a week no problem. Only issue I ever had was on 2 occasions uphill on 3 inch thick solid ice. Even then, just felt a little spin. steady throttle and you're on your way.

Just don't drive on summer tires. Did it once in a light snow (2 inches) and thought I was going to die.

 

8 ball is right, I don't know what the rest of these guys are talking about, I lost it in my non-lsd 951 uphill in 1" of snow and my 968 wouldn't get up the driveway.

Summer tires were about as useful as a fish with a bicycle once the temp was below freezing.

 

Tires are key. With Graspics snow tires on the rear the car was better than any other 2wd car I can remember driving in snow. I got caught once in a light snow with Yoko ES100s and it was a frightening ride home...

 

It's all about the tires. Get the right ones for the job and you'll get through anything. The only possible issue will occur if the snow gets too deep.

 

how is a 944 in the snow you ask, f#@$in AWSOME as i drove my car the last two winters. but like mike c. and scott said TIRES ARE KEY. i have nokian hakkippalita 4 tires on all four corners wich are probably the best on the market and the amount of grip and control is amazing. but then again i just bought an audi 4000 quattro yesterday for snow duty .

 

For a relatively light, RWD car, with no traction control and (maybe) no antilock brakes, it should be OK with the right tires. The most important winter feature is galvanized steel!

Unlike modern cars, you will need to DRIVE the thing, meaning that you will have to use your brain and your senses when starting, stopping and turning on slippery surfaces. Not many people today are up to that task.

 

Yeah.. trust me. summer tires with no tread left aint going to work, get tires and you'll be fine.I've done 1 or 2 winters on nearly bald summer performance tires and my car has no new dents, but 1 or 2 storms caused a bit of puckering. I'm pretty sure any car with tires like that would, though.