on the fence about which car to get....c4 or c2. can i get away without having all wheel drive in the winter if i put snows on the c2? the engine is over the powered wheels...it should work well - right?

anyone care to share their experiences?

 

A C2 with winter tires is great in the snow. There are very few instances where a C2 would be stuck while a C4 would keep going. The biggest issue is the depth of the snow.

Damon at the TireRack suggests using 17" wheels for winter as the slightly smaller tire patch produces more pressure, hence more traction on snow/ice.

 

thanks for the advice - i'm trying to justify the extra 12k for the all wheel drive...anyone else care to weigh in on their experience? i don't plan on going in deep snow - maybe an inch or two tops

 

I leave my C2S in the garage in the snow, as RF5BPilot said it is about clearance and I say why risk the chance to get stuck. I have the Touareg for those snowy days (as well as for other things). For 12K get a used SUV.

Just my 2 cents.

 

I would agree that at least 60% of the equation is your winter tire - wheel fitment selection......40% or less is whether she's a 2 or 4.
Personally I love winter driving in a Pcar and if I had my choice it would be a 4. On those days when you can use the 40% it's pretty neat how incredibly good these cars can be in the snow......you can leave all sorts of vehicals behind you. Corners and sweepers are a hoot.....I often say it's the best off-season autocross practice you can find.

On the tire patch and wheel size point.......17 is pretty small for a 997.2.....though I do run 17s on the 993 and 996, I believe I will be shopping for 18s for the 997.2.

I do strongly feel that a narrower tire patch is important....and I've never followed Porsches recomended widths (too wide IMHO). Like any other wheel you buy for a Pcar, 1st decide on what rubber-for-life you likely will use....then the fitment. People get this upside down and then wonder why they can't get a good selection or price on tires for wheels they just bought.

Good luck....and have fun with the rest of your buy decisions.

 

Michelin Pilot Alpin PA2 on stock 18" rims.

 

that is THE BEST advice I've heard for any of these threads

 

Driving a porsche is more fun than driving a truck.
Driving fun is one of my primary life missions.....I don't have kids .
Winters are long in WI......& if I had to drive something bigger than a Pcar for 30-40% of my life.....I would have moved some time ago.

Yep...you need something w/clearance for those 5 days out of the 4 months.
But obviously....to each his own.....and I do understand the logic that they are either too good or too low.....both valid.

 

I would say pair of skis is even cheaper and builds up health!

 

I drove a 996 C4 for two winters (with 18" wheels and Pirelli winter tires). Up to 4" of snow it is way more fun than any "legal" driving I could do during the summer. I found that with PSM off I could learn a LOT about car control. With PSM on, it would not let the back come out a all. I could easily pull away from almost all other 4WD/AWD vehicles. I also have an Audi Allroad with winter tires that I use when it snows hard. I have already ordered my winter tires from Damon at Tire Rack and look forward to the winter! Go with the C4 and some good winter tires - you won't regret it!

 

Well I drove it through last winter ( I also have an SUV but not as much fun to drive ) on 18"s and Sottozeros and had a blast with only RWD.

The only day I had to take the SUV was when there was 6" of snow and they hadn't plowed the streets yet. I even drove on some days where there was at least 2" of snow still on the roads before the plows came and had no problems. It was a blast to throw around the back end and have it slide a little, unlike in summer where the grip won't let you play like that. Truly great AX practice!!

Besides, I bought this car to drive it - not store it in the garage for 4-5 months when winter hits.

 

Who said anything about storing it in the garage for 4 months?

I don't drive my car when the temperature is below 7 degrees Celcius, as the tires turn to hockey pucks. The winters in Vancouver are mild, and this allows me to drive my car most days. I have the Touareg to take the kids, haul the car to the track, pick up things that don't fit in the Porsche (just about everything) and use when the weather doesn't allow for the Porsche to go on the road (snow, salt, bad drivers)

 

THANKS FOR THE ADVICE GUYS....looks like i'll be pulling the trigger on a c2s - and just pick up some 18's with winter tires! now if only they weren't bending me over on the s5 trade in....cest la vie!

 

It is funny how trying to trade in a slightly used Audi on a Porsche is so difficult. I struggled with my local dealer to trade in my 1 year old S4.

Congrats on the new ride, post some pictures when you get it.

 

I'm of the opinion that you buy the car to drive it - SO DRIVE IT!!! Snow needs to be looked at as an inconvienence, not a deal breaker. Sure the AWD cars are better in the snow, but the 2WD cars have proven to be quite competent with the right snow tires. If you are plowing snow with the car that's one thing, but really how often does that happen? C'mon, that's nothing more than giving snow crews 3 hours to catch up! With good snows you'll be blowing right by cars without them, even 4WD ones.

Don't be:



Give me a call and I'll get you set up to go anywhere you want.