I have a 2003 C2 that I absolutely love. However, I have moved to Colorado from Florida and need to start making my car a daily driver. Questions:

A) Do you daily drive your car and deal with snow at all?

B) I have learned that Colorado is pretty good about clearing roads and my commute is short, how does the car do in the icy stuff (the C4S)?

C) Am I crazy?

I cannot see myself with out a Porsche and do not want to go the Cayenne route (no offense)


Thanks in advance for your input.

 

I have a 2003 C4S

A) It is a daily driver (my only driver). Living in Vegas, i don't deal with snow that much, but the times I did the car handled it fine. Going uphill with summer tires wasn't a problem. I would highly recommend winter tires to you since you deal with snow all winter long.

B) No idea. Wouldn't push my luck on that. Another thing: When I lived in Germany, they salted the roads in the winter to give better grip. Don't know if they do that in Colorado, but its not exactly friendly to the car's underbody.

C) Aren't we all crazy?

 

Colorado does not use salt, only cinders, etc. but they do a great job in clearing the roads as they are used to dealing with snow.

Winter tires are a must. The summer tires get hard below about 40 degrees, and in freezing weather, snow and ice they are dangerous, don't risk it. Get a set of extra wheels and a good set of winter tires. Blizzak, Dunlop, MIchielin all make excellent winter tires.

I have a C4, and with the summer tires, once the roads get wet or snowy, in cold weather, it is scary to drive on them. With the winter tires, I use Dunlop Winter Sports, the car is actually better than my 4 wheel drive Ford Expedtiion, that is until the snow gets too deep as the C4 has much less grond clearance and I have high centered in in deep snow where the wheels could not cut through to the pavement. But with PSM and ABS the car is great in snowy weather, go for it you will love it.

 

I live in snow country as well and yes get a set of winter tires.I would also recommend a front end cover.(bra)It will keep the cinders from chipping the paint.Don't use the headlight washers while the bra is on the car.The fluid can become trapped under the bra and discolor the paint.Then you need a front respray.I made that mistake.Also remove it frequently and clean underneath.Once you get the hang of driving in snow you can go drifting it's a real kick!

Terry

 

B) I have learned that Colorado is pretty good about clearing roads and my commute is short, how does the car do in the icy stuff (the C4S)?


Short of studs or chains, when it comes to driving on ice you'd be better off with a plastic Jesus on the dashboard of your car.......extra dispensation if it glows in the dark.

 

I have a C4 NB, not an S. I drive it year round in Colorado. It is the most fun car I have driven in the snow - and I have driven many. I do have an SUV (2000 Rover Disco II), for BIG snow days and getting a crew to the ski areas. In the winter I do about 50-50 between them as daily drivers.

Winter tires are a must (on both rigs). However, we also have lots of "dry" sunny days, where you'll want some speed performance as well.

I use the Blizzak LM-25 on "thinner" wheels 17 x7.5 and 17x9. I like the extra sidewall and thinner tires in the snow. I like having two complete setups - much easier and less $ to swap.

Lastly, I do an alignment with each swap; mostly due to the different tire sizes and to make sure I get good wear. Ideally, I'd like to get two seasons out of the winter tires.

The tricky part is deciding whether you just want to get from point A to B safely - or do you want to slide around and have some fun? The PSM is amazing when combined with winter tires and will get you safely anywhere until the snow is up to the top of the hood. Turn of the PSM, then point it and punch it for some fun.

 

I use to drive my c4s as a daily in NYC, handles great in the snow with snow tires. Just remember if you ever upgrade the suspension to a more aggressive setup, handling in the snow and rain will usually go down the drain.

 

That's funny! Nothing like winter weather advise from a guy in sunny Key West!! Just kidding, I'd trade places with you in a heartbeat.

 

How much performance is given up by going to a slightly heavier car with the same horsepower as well as the power being split? Negligible?

 

Don't have any numbers, but on the road I don't notice anything when driving my C4S with C2s....
And if you're concerned about the slight difference, an air intake or an exhaust could probably make up for that

 

Jax, don't risk it without good snow tires. Please give me a call and I'll get you fixed up. Thanks.

 

No snow here but I'm using mine daily. It's great!

 

Isn't it suppose to be driven daily?