JGriff

I've been thinking... if a 964 C4 could be used as a year-round daily driver (including winter snowstorms etc. in South Central PA), I would entertain the idea of selling/trading my 1990 944 S2 and 1992 Audi 100S for one.

What's the consensus... can a 964 C4 be used year-round, as a daily driver, in all forms of weather? Anyone here doing so? Any issues with ground clearance in snow i.e. what's concerns you... 3 inches, 5 inches? I certainly would use snow tires. Any thoughts/issues with that?

In general, any issues concerning 964s that I should be aware of? (When I get time, I'll browse this forum more... but in a nutshell, what are the major issues?)

Thanks.

Jim

vove

You can definitely use a 964 C4 for daily driving, as a matter of fact you might enjoy doing so. The major issue is are you a DIY? Its going to be an old car so you will have to tinker with it a little bit. Cylinder head leakage is what you should look for if you are looking at the earlier ones. Get a ppi done to make sure the car is solid before purchase.

I drive my c4 almost all the time, even when i know dont have to.

Adrian

Dear Jim,
My C4 is my daily driver all year round.
Ciao,
Adrian
964C4

BaysideC4

I use my 1990 C4 as a daily driver in New York. I couldn't be happier.

pete000

C4's look cool with skinny ice/snow tires. Great rally look!

Brett M

I use my 89 C4 everyday except come summer, then I usually ride the motorcycle. I have snow tires for the winter time and it handles great. When it snows I am careful where pull into and how deep the snow is. I have yet to get it stuck... I am quite happy with the everyday use. Sometimes I wish there was more space, but you just have to deal with it.

JGriff

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

When you say DIY... what type of work, and how often? The type of work that disables the vehicle, or just small, niggling little problems? If I'm going to be stuck and troubling my wife to borrow the Honda Odyssey for the day, then I might have to reconsider.

I can DIY certain things... I'm not too afraid to tackle some problems... but the biggest stumbling block for me is time. I work 10-11 hours per day, then go home to a wife, 4 year old, 2 year old, and a 5 month old. Spare time to work on the Porsche (especially at night to get it running for the next day) is almost non-existent.

My 100S has been extremely reliable... even so at 210k miles now. And my S2 also has been very reliable, with 88k miles on it. So... I'm spoiled with respect to automotive downtime. If the 964 would have a "once in a blue moon" repair, or would need routine maintenance every 6 months or a year, that would probably be fine for me.

As far as ground clearance in snow, I'm gonna' guess that the ride height on the 964 might not be much worse than my 100S with Eibach lowering springs and Bilstein dampers. With the right snow tires, winter driving could once again be fun!!

Hmm... tough call. I'll have to run it seriously by my wife (i.e. I've only hinted about it twice), do some more research here on Rennlist, figure out the finances (i.e. savings on insurance from two cars to one etc. vs. purchase price etc.), and see what's out on the market.

Thanks again for the insight/feedback. Who knows... someday you may see more posts from me as a fellow 964 C4 owner!!

ian c - u.k

hey jim

spend a bit of time on the car when you first get it , and you shouldn't get any problems !!!

many people dont understand this simple fact .................
you a driving a £60,000+ porsche 911 ..........................
not a £8,000 ford escort , or even an expensive lotus , tvr , ferrari etc.

they are designed to drive well , at speed , in comfort , in utter reliability !!!
someparts will wear with age , as they will with any car , but the 911 is a very , very , very , very reliable car !!! (otherwise they would have stopped making it 40 years ago)

as they are engineered very well , new parts can be expensive due to the design/manufacturing costs , but i'm sure the us rennlisters will help with parts suppliers

and due to the design , most jobs are diy-able with the right tools , advice , and enthusiasm !!

ian c - u.k

GET SOME WOOD .............. YOU KNOW YOU WANT IT !!!!!!!!!!!!

Jay Gratton

Hey if nothing else just ask Jenn from Rennlist! She will tell you about driving the C4 in the snow. Best wishes - Jay Gratton

vove

Jim-
What I mean is that you have to deal with little problems, usually replacement of a certain item. But make sure you have a solid car before you buy.
The major work should not be needed if you have a solid car in front of you. Make sure the PPI is performed by a knowledgeable mechanic that knows what to look for in a 964. Good luck!!

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