Question for all the winter driving owners. I live in a northern Canadian climate and am contemplating driving my turbo this winter. Here's the kicker I have access to drive any dodge truck or sport ute I would like too, but I just love driving this darn Porsche. Giving we have 6 months of winter should I pack the car away and wait for spring or throw some snow tires on it and drive a truck when conditions are really bad. I'm somewhat concerned about winter road rash vs love driving this car. Any thoughts? as well does driving a 200k cdn sports car in the winter look like an a hole thing to do?

 

I realize my Reno winters are far more mild than what you see in Edmonton, but here are my thoughts. When I purchased my 997TT I planned to drive it regularly all year long. I purchased an extra set of wheels and mounted winter tires. After the first couple of times driving in any sort of snow, I have tell you it was not worth the worry to me: Is that big truck going to slide over me? What is the road salt doing to my car? Is my car getting really dirty? Is the sand going to pit my windshield? Etc, etc...

So basically, I drive mine in the winter when the roads are dry. I like having the winter tires because I can still drive in the cold. If I am at work and we get some snow, I know I can make it home. But that is it for me.

If I were you, I would drive the Dodge in the winter if it is snowy or wet. If it is ever dry there in the winter, then consider driving the TT. Don't even think about taking the 997TT out on summer tires below about 40 degrees Farenheit/4 degrees Celsius. Also, invest in a trickle charger - Porsche sells one or you can but the CTEK charger (which is the same thing for less money).

 

I wouldnt winter that car, but to each his own. Regardless having a seperate set of wheels and tires is a must. Also, I would recommend getting a smaller wheel maybe an 18" if it clears, becuase the darn tires are really heavy. I am running OEM 19's on my M3 with blizzaks and they really slow the car down and make it more inefficient.

 

I here you guys, the best thing for the car is to leave it tucked in for the winter but damn i sure enjoy it. My wife can't believe how I so easily volunteer to drive the kids around or run errands, she doesn't get the car thing. I don't much care about the factory wheels so would just have winters installed but I do care about the amount of sand and gravel we use on our roads, so yes I would only be pulling it out on those clear road days but nice to know if I got caught the car could handle it. Prob would end up taking out a windshield and a few rock chips guess I have weigh that as the price of admission.

 

i had the same thoughts, even had a set of snows on stock wheels for 1 winter, and i quickly realized that around here it wasnt a good idea, so i tucked it away and used something else (had to buy it unlike your situation)...wash it, wax it, plug in the trickle charger, cover it and let it rest

 

This is my third 911 ('10 997 CS) and I plan on driving it this winter. I'm in Pittsburgh and we get a fair amount of snow so really looking forward to winter driving. We have an SUV for the really heavy snow days but I plan to drive it in all but the worst days. My first two I never drove, which is stupid in hindsight, and when I bought this one I swore I would drive year round. So now looking for the best tires - I will use the stock wheels and the dealer recommended the Pirelli Winter 240 Sottozero Series II. Anybody have experience with a better tire?

edit: a buddy of mine has a TT with PDK - said the torque/PDK combo was much tougher to deal with on starts that manual, so I guess that is something to consider as well

 

Those are the same tires I'm looking at having installed. Can this car provide the same thrills in the winter on those tires as I get in the good weather times. If it's not close then the answer is probably to park her for the winter.

 

IMHO its hard for any car to give you the SAME thrills in winter as in summer. But I'm certain your car will go in nearly every weather condition and with the right tires will provide you with a different, yet still thrilling, driving adventure. I've had several garage queens (in fact, have one right now), but I bought this one specifically as a year rounder. I can see both sides - wanting to drive in the winter and wanting to park it. No wrong answer - but I must admit, I did buy a NA car this time rather than the TT with winter in mind. Why? Less money and less torque - great for the winter. This is an experiment for me - and I could be totally wrong and next year be right back in a TT. Good luck in your choice.

 

We usually only get about 2 weeks of snow here in Seattle. I definitely do not intent to let my TT hibernate. I'd say drive that damn thing in all but the worst weather. You never know what tomorrow brings and at least you'll be having fun right up to the end.

 

Seattle I hear you, here's some background. I own a dodge dealership and bought the car for a summer driver with full intent on selling it. Now that the dollar is down it would be tough to replace it next year. My though was 2010 with pdk, if I do that then I should definetly work at selling it. If I decide to keep the car then I will keep it for a couple of years do some more mods and just drive it and enjoy. Having a hard time to decide if the 2010 pdk is that much better of a car.

 

Dedicated winter tires/stock turbo wheels here. Damn fun to drive with snow on the ground.

 

Some turbo drifting on the snow makes a fun drive to the office.

 

JD - this is why Porsche makes Cayennes! winter driving, Porsche experience.

 

I daily drive my '09 C4S year round in central MN (and have been driving AWD 911s for 6 winters now). I use a dedicated set of 18s with snows. I honestly think I have more fun driving in the snow than on dry pavement in the summer. PSM off - steering with my right foot......... how long can I hold the drift......doing a 180 instead of a u-turn......driving away from 4 wheel drive pickups........FUN!!
Biggest issue is remembering that the folks behind me CANNOT stop as quickly as I can
Enjoy it!

 

Cp- good point however I'd probably go with the new jeep srt8 with winters. Problem is they r going to be such a limited run the first year I'd sell them before I'd have a chance to keep one as a driver.