PDC

I'm trying to determine if the stock cabby top can withstand a Toronto Winter. We usually get about 30-50mm of snow a week, so it's accurate to assume that the top will be snowed on fairly frequently. Thankfully it will be spending its nights in secured underground parking. But during the day it will be exposed to the snow while parked at work.

I don't mind spending a few minutes brushing off the snow each time I leave work. I mean, I already do that with my current winter car. The major concern is the top's ability to (reasonably) keep the cold out and not wear out or cave in.

Thanks for any input. And if you see a nice turbo cabby for sale I'll pay you a commission for directing it my way

odurandina

my 944S was very good in the snow.

if you run 195~215 mm Blizzacks, same size all around,

and give full consideration to adding 100~150 pounds of sand in the back,

you should be fine.

PDC

Thanks. Any experience with the 944 soft top?

931guru

Yes, very fragile. It's not designed to be abused by snow and snow removal. Park it in a garage or be prepared to replace the top when it tears.

mhr

I have driven on very cold days in the fall and spring in montreal with my cab and it was cold. The heater works great but the roof lets in allot of the cold.

I first got the car in December and it was sitting at the border waiting for the title to clear in a parking lot and got snowed on. When we went to pick it up my father tried to help me by clearing the snow off the back plastic window and it left a noticeable scratch in the plastic that is there to this day. I would think that if you get some ice buildup on the back window you will have to just leave it and live without visibility out the back or scratch and potentially ruin the back window.

Don't have winters for mine so it stays in storage between December 15th and March 15th as per the winter tire law but I don't think I would do it anyway.

Mark

PDC

Very useful info, thanks for that. Now I need to decide if maybe a sunroof turbo would be the better option. I definitely need it to be driveable in the Winter.

Arominus

I would look for an s2 coupe the turbo will require you to be more careful about the boost in the snow.

Overall the 944 is excellent in the winter though, all 3 of mine have been great

V996

I've heard they are great winter cars. I plan to drive my 924S this winter. However I don't think I would ever drive a soft top. I think that is a REALLY bad idea.

Not sure if you would entertain the idea of an early 944 coupe for cheap for the winter and a nicer cab turbo for the summer. That's basically what I'm doing with my 968, going to be a summer only car for sure.

drive135mph

My 87 944 with limited slip is awesome in the snow especially with a good set of snow tires. It hung out with my friend's audi S3 without a whimper (although occasionally it did so at an indicated 90mph)

SeaCay

The plastic rear window can become very brittle in cold temps leading to cracks.

I've had a couple of Cab's, I would not want a ton of snow weighing down the fabric top.

ZR8ED

I had a 944 cab, but I only moved it about the driveway in the winter. My DD 944 coupe is fantastic in the snow with a good set of blizzaks. I ran a stock size 215/60/15, and the car was like a tank in the snow. Toronto winters didnt scare me.
As for the cab window I can attest that you need to be careful with it. Not hard to scratch it.

Dino V

Just like everyone else said, don't recommend the soft top for winter. Definitely do not trust a lot of weight on them. Mine is usually hibernating durung winter, but I have taken it out when the roads were free of salt. I didn't notice a huge issue with heat loss as inside it was still warm with heat on. I think the main issue here is rear window and wight on soft top.