I have a set of winter wheels and tires for my 996tt cab and it goes better then any other car i have driven in the snow hands down. Tons of fun if you find an unplowed parking lot

 

Hey everyone, right now I have an Audi S4 as a daily driver. With snow tires it is amazing in the snow and I feel stable and safe. I am often driving in blizzards to get into the mountains. Thinking about moving to a 997 Turbo Cab for a daily driver. How do your cars do in 6-8 inches of snow? Assuming they are stock ride height.

 

I just bought a 997 TT cab that I will drive all year. Deep snow is obviously problematic due to ground clearance, but once the plows come out it's not an issue. My 996 C4S was great in the snow.

 

The engine in the back means that one point or another the is risk that it is so icy that you do a 180. The ground clerance is also a problem, it wont get stuck but you will be the first plow of the day. Otherwise it worked well. My current Panny is however in a different league, more like the s4, but you can still get the back out if you want it. The 997 is a little more unredictable.

 

The Panamera was my other thought, but I would love to have a Cab.... How deep is the snow that you drive in?

Ice is also a concern.

 

Ice is an issue with the back, but you can get studded tires.

Deep snow as after one sow fall is not the big problem, the plows usually make it first, it is more that usually you have weeks of snow and the center part of roads tends to freeze up even with plowing, which causes the poblems.

In a Panamera, no snowfall amount is an issue, on the other hand.

 

Sounds like as much as I might want a Cab the Panamera is better for me.

 

6-8 inches? Forget it. 3-4 maybe okay. I would keep the S4 for the winter and buy the TT for fun weather

 

It's all about the tires. With proper winter tires, a 997 TT will be fine for a Colorado winter. The car has PSM, ABS, etc. I've never, ever been close to spinning my C4S, even in icy conditions. The things that make a 911 a great driver on dry pavement apply on slippery roads too. Having the weight of the engine over the primary drive wheels really helps too.

The beauty of Colorado winters is that we get plenty of top down weather, even in winter time.

If you really want a cabriolet, then get one! We don't live in Siberia.

 

Yes...my 2009 did NOT like black ice...my 'new' 2007 is going to be much more selective on driving days this winter...

 

Wow, that looks totaled.

Fundamentally, you've got the motor over the driven wheels. That's the best for bad conditions. Same as FWD and front engine. Little wonder the Germans designed it that way. Not sure anything really does well on ice. Had our X5 on ice with all season tires and it was HORRIBLE. Of course, "all season" is the key problem. Dedicated snows make a big difference. Around here, same as for rdrozd, I would not drive anything in heavy snow other than a crappy Jeep.

 

Drives mine every day, incl Swedish winter. Rolling on Nokian studless in the winter. Thinking about getting a set of studded Nokians, but havent really needed them so far.

 

To be fair rdrozd, I'm not sure ANY car is a fan of black ice, especially at moderate speeds in non-winter tires! Glad you were ok after that wreck!

 

I se guys running their Turbo's year round. With the correct snow tires, they seem to fair rather well. I got passed last winter in a blizzard and I was in a 4x4. As far as the black ice comment, I do not think any vehicle, including a snowmobile like RR or Subie would handle black Ice better (or worse).


The best equipment for snow is your brain and experience.

 

Thanks for your input everyone. For the record, I have no concerns about how the Turbo Cab would do in regular winter driving. A few inches of snow, ice, etc I'm not concerned. It's when I am trying to get to Copper to enjoy the fresh powder and I'm going through a blizzard on I-70 or over Hooiser pass on 9 (very tight hairpins) is when I don't want to be stuck or sliding off the pass unexpectedly. I've driven my S4 (and previous Cayenne Turbos) through blizzards that have all the jeeps and trucks, etc in ditches and stuck. Sometimes bad things happen around other drivers, but that is just part of sharing the roads with those who are less trained and less attentive to their cars.

Based on feedback I have received from people who have done it - deep powder is not a concern. However, deep wet snow will cause damage and can cause the car to get stuck. Since I can't control the weather, but want to drive in it regardless of what it is, it is probably more appropriate for me to get a Panamera and pass up the Cab for now. The upside of this is Panamera Turbos w/PDK seem to be more affordable than 911 Turbo Cabs w/ PDK