Doug&Julie

Just dreaming of my next Pcar...my only stipulations are it has to be a "modern" Porsche (EFI, ABS, decent H/AC) and I have to be able to drive it in winter. How do the C2s do in winter with a good set of winter tires? I realize a C4 would be better, but I've heard that system is overly complicated (re: $$$ to repair if it goes bad). Besides, our winters aren't that bad. My drive to work is 7.5 miles and I have two options for avoiding the highway. So, worse case scenario is there are a couple of days where I have to wait for the plows to come through the neighborhood. Otherwise, we usually just have "dustings" and slush type snow days. (..and we'll forever have a Subaru for long distance winter travel..)

I appreciate any thoughts / experiences!

Millemiglia

They're excellent wintercars!
Driven with respect and equipped with winter tires, no problems whatsoever.

The AWD is amazingly robust, what can cause trouble is the more complicated brakesystem and pdas.
With a C4 you really have an excellent car for all seasons!

Use your p-car and enjoy every mile...

Doug&Julie

Well that's the plan! ..I mean, that's why I want to get back into a more modern car. I miss driving one every day...

garrett376

The C4 4wd system is a complicated one, but as Peter says, very sturdy. Anything on a C2 or C4 is expensive to fix, espcially if you're not doing the work. I think that a C2 that is crashed due to poorer winter traction that results in an accident would be more expensive than any issue a C4 may potentially have. The C4's traction is outstanding - in wet or dry, which is well worth the piece of mind alone!

Marc Shaw

Not overly complicated, just over-engineered.

If you want a track car, a C2 may be a better choice (but a C4 is fine too), if you want a year-round daily driver a C4 would be ideal - no question.

Marc

Johnny G Pipe

Hi. I don't know of one C4 awd mechanical system failure in 4 years of 964 board attendance. As far as my limited knowledge goes, generally the worst it gets is some idiot light maladies, and occasional trouble with the hydraulic brake pump. C2's have, (sorry, make do with..ha ha), a regular servo assist system.

I think my 'just a day in the snow' thread illustrates the C4's abilities in snow nicely..

You'll find a little C2 vs C4 rivalry on this board..but only a little. The C2's daren't come out 'til spring anyway..

DaveK

I agree - I don't think I've seen any AWD failures in the 4 years I've been on rennlist.

On the other hand - I think the 4wd can make you lazy. I rely on mine quite a lot and I'm pretty sure if I drove a C2 the same way I WOULD crash!

Doug&Julie

Thanks for all the input guys. Please don't get me wrong...I really have nothing against a C4. If one comes available that passes muster (and PPI), I would buy it as easily as a C2. But I just want to be able to open my options up...thus the questions about a C2 in winter....I want to make sure I wouldn't be buying a sled in the winter time!

FYI I drove my last Boxster in two winters with good winter tires and it was excellent in the areas of traction and handling. I have no doubt about a 911s traction, but I'm curious if that total rear weight bias is too much in the winter (w/o AWD, of course).

Thanks again for your thoughts.

MARC A. 964 C4

But then of course... Maybe you would learn how to drive differently.
For those that have driven motorcycles, there’s no better driving school.
As an ex-biker like yourself, I believe that you could drive anything well...
Even a Ford Escort...
Hope the two of you are doing well,
Marc...

agentpennypacker

Keeping the D-90's with skinny, treaded tires works great in the winter. No problems with my C2 in KC.

Doug&Julie

Good idea! ..but I have to say I've got a set of 17" Boxster wheels with Dunlop Wintersport M3s on them already.

MARC A. 964 C4

The Bavarian winter driving follows the same formula…
Smaller wheels such as the original 16" "Cheese-Cutters"
and winter structured tires...

DaveK

Riding a bike certainly does teach you to be aware of what other road users are likely to do. I actually think I'm a much better / safer motorcycle rider than I am a car driver.

We're both doing well thanks. Sandy started a new job today (she arrived on a Sunday evening and had an offer for a job she really wanted by the Friday afternoon!). Hopefully, she had a good day!

Billb603

Having driven many rear wheel drive German vehicles I would say my new C@ 1994 is the most challenging car to drive in the snow with summer tires that I have ever driven. Rear end will try to pass on an snowy or icy downhill. Certainly being inexperienced in a 911 (but I also have driven motorcycles even in snow ... not much of a reflection on my intelligence at the time) may be some of the reason but the weight in the rear is not helpful going downhill. I normally always use snows on prior RWD but was driving this home right after purchase. I guess to sum up ... as others have said, good snows are not an option if you are going to drive on snow and ice.

dfinnegan

I'm driving my first Porsche (a 91 C4) all year in New York and through out New England. I have mounted snows (Nokian Hakka's) on the original 16" wheels and have found the handling in the snow to be really excellent. I've been out in two pretty bad storms this winter and was quite pleased.

Cheers,
Dave