chipkent

I'm in the process of doing some research for my next car purchase. I'm looking for something to drive in the winters. I live in Minnesota so the car will have to handle both snow and cold. It will replace my 1989 XJS which has weird intermittent problems below about 10F.

From the cars I've driven, snow tires seem to be the biggest factor about how well a car can drive in the snow. Having said that, I have never driven a rear or mid engine car in the snow so all of my existing insight may be wrong. I also don't have any insight into the behavior of an air cooled engine at very low temps.
- Does anyone have a 911 or similar 2WD 911 which they drive in the snow?
- How well does the car handle?
- Does it ever get away from you with the engine hanging so far back?
- Do you feel a Carrera 4 is required to drive a 911 in the snow? (Does a Carrera 4 even do a good job in the snow?)
- Have you had any problems with the car functioning at very low temps (e.g. -20F/-30C)?
- I've been told that the heater on earlier 911 models is insufficient at low temps. Are you happy with how the heater performs for you?

I'm glad there are Canadians to ask this question to because the average American doesn't have a clue how different freezing and -20F/-30C are.

Giacomo

2005 997 C2 with snow tires does just fine in Canadian winters. Most of my driving is on plowed, relatively clear asphalt. There are not alot of days that actually require one to drive on snow covered roads, perhaps 10 to 20 days/winter. Cannot comment on the aircooled models.

Alex Sol

I've got my 1991 C2 fitted with 215 / 55 / 16s on the stock design 90 rims and have been blasting around this season in the snow with not a lot of drama. I tried the same with the summer tires and got stuck in less than 1 inch of snow. lucky i didn't whack a tree on one power oversteer trial (and consequent error) on my street. Otherwise, the car is works well in the snow, heat is nice though dry, and I have a true winter beater for those 5-10 days of blizzard we get here in Toronto. A MB e320 wagon with 4 snow tires. Rear wheel drive only...

S Cars

I drove my 996 C2 everyday last winter with no problems. My car didn't have PSM but with good winter tires it was fine.

Receiver

02 C4S with snows is the best car I've ever driven in the snow. Deep snow presents a problem obviously but I never came close to gettng stuck last year and the car handles like a dream on the highway in slush, ice etc.

pongobaz

^^^ What he said.

Imo000

The question is not what car will handle well in the winter, but what witner tires do I put on a car that I want to drive in the winter.

You can drive any car in the winter, as long as you have a good set of winter tires on it.

AM993

I drove my 993 C2 with snow tires for a couple of winters: no problem at all. Make sure that you drive sensibly and take it to the car wash once a week. If the snow on the ground reaches 8 inches, stay home. Overall, your biggest concern will be the idiots sharing the road with you...