GK10506

Hi, folks. I would really appreciate hearing thoughts from those who have a 997 as their daily driver in the Northeast, or in other areas where the weather turns nasty post-November. Thanks in advance.

ric-ko

I drive mine through the winter, except when there is a fair amount of snow. I use all-season tires, not winter ones, but drive fairly conservatively. I've not had any issues.

I've hear here, that with snow tires, the cars do fine.

ocsm3

I am in the northeast and use my C4S as daily driver. It is fine to drive in the snow with winter tires on. I think it drives better in the snow than my other cars with all all-season.

linderpat

I use my 05 as a DD, but only until it gets too cold to drive with my summer tires - around 40 degrees F or lower. The car goes into winter storage likely in mid-November. In the meantime, drive it as much as you can!

shekmark

I drive all year except when they salt the roads. Then I wait for a rain to wash the roads or let it sit with a tender in the garage. I have an SUV so there is no reason to drive in snow except if caught in it. When the weather hits steady 50's and colder I switch to my Sottozero winter tire/wheel combo and keep going.

shyamvenky

Just to paint the picture about the other end of the spectrum, when I was in NJ a few years ago, I used to run summer tires all through the year!
(I know.. younger days.. thinking was done in the trousers.. not the head).
With all that salt and snow-ploughs, you will get a false sense of security with summer tires.

I've had a few sketchy episodes - car skidding and switching ends (luckily the roads were empty).
My advice is to use a set of all seasons, or better yet.. a dedicated winter wheel/tire set.

dgjks6

Honest confession from a 997 daily driver -
It's not the snow. These cars do fine with the right tires.
The salt is not really an issue either. Most of the car is super well protected or aluminum. The only thing that rusts are the exhaust bolts and manifold bolts.

The problem is pot holes. Seriously. The ride is awful. Really awful. Maybe I'm just getting too old.

140.6er

ogun228

I'm on my second 911 as a DD. 1st was '05 996 C4S; current is '09 997 C2S cab.
I have two sets of wheels and tires: summers with Michelins and wi nters with Sotto zeros.
The state where I live is excellent at clearing snow so there is seldom a time when the accumulation is such that
I cannot use the car; then on those rare occasions, everything is closed anyway. Go for it.

GK10506

Thanks all for your responses.

NC3Pedal

Snow tires are a must! If you live in a state where they go crazy salting roads, then I would limit my winter driving, especially because of pot holes and the like. The other major hazard, and the one that worries me the most is other drivers. People in 4X4's who think that the laws of physics do not apply to them and others who forget all about stopping distances with snow and ice. I now live in North Carolina so I keep my summer tires on all year (I work from home/semi retired). When the temp drops below 40 or if there is snow or ice, then I drive my wife's Acura MDX with "Superhandling all wheel drive" (I have a lot of fun driving that one the 2 or 3 times we get snow).

Dino V

With some proper tires these cars do better than you might think. Like others have mentioned, pot holes are the bigger threat or giant pieces of ice/snow/etc in the road that might smack the lower front bumper.

Bruce In Philly

Yep, Michelin Alpins now on 18" Porsche rims ..... just drive it. My Boxster had some exhaust heat shield rot... would buzz.... but I got 197K on that chassis. Other that that, I can't point to any issue with salt. Regarding pot holes..... heck, these stupid kiddy fashion 19" wheels bend on freshly paved roads. No wheel should be larger than 17"... Porsche marketing folks spend too much time watching Fast and Furious - type movies.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

140.6er

jamesinger

I am 99% from So. Cal. (born in Cook Co. Hospital but moved out of Chicago in '76 to So. Cal.) ...In any case, I was happy to see that in London, Paris, and places like Versailles the last couple times I went Dec.-Feb., I saw a bunch of 911s ripping around in the snow and in the rain, and even in muddy unpaved areas. I thought that was so cool because where I am, we don't see much weather except for some pretty slight rain unless you seek it out. I bet some people on here have seen Germans blasting in this type of weather as well.

I guess it comes down to what the car is to you. For me, a C2S is a daily driver that I LOVE and not a precious object. I am pretty sure if I had a GT3, it would only be a fair weather car, so 360 days a year here in LA, haha...but I don't think I would personally daily a GT3. A C2S though? I love that I can drive it anywhere in any condition and not feel super stressed over everything.