Hey everybody, after years and years of longing, I've finally decided to buy my first Porsche, my only problem is...which one? The problem is, I live in Michigan, and my work commute roughly takes me around 45 minutes of driving. I'm trying to decide between buying a 911 Carrera, a Carrera 4, or a Panamera. I drive a 2007 Lexus ES350 right now, and it's alright through the snow. For my first Porsche, do you guys think it would be better for me to:
A. Buy a Carrera 2
B. Buy a Carrera 4 and trade in my Lexus
C. Buy a Panamera, and trade in my Lexus.

Really, any suggestions would be helpful, I'm just not sure how these cars handle snow.

 

I purchased a wide body for both the all season driving and looks of the wider hips. I've not been disappointed.

 

Buy cs2 and keep the Lexus for winter driving
Personally I wouldn't drive any 911 in the snow/salt

 

Given your location: get an AWD (Carrera 4/4S or Panny 4/4S), and make sure to get some snow tires for the winter. Given the power and large contact patch that these cars put down, you will need the added traction and control when the snow comes.

As for Carrera v Panamera? I've owned 2 911s in the last 3 years and 1 Panamera. Don't get me wrong, the P2S is a GREAT car, but nowhere near the fun that a 911 brings. The Panamera is truly a 4-door sports car, but it's a BIG 4-door car, so it's not exactly nimble (just way better than a LS, 7er, or S-Class).

For me, the driving experience of the 911 can't be replaced. The size, power, sound, handling...and that fantastic bullfrog stance, especially with the WB cars (4, 4S, etc).

That's my 2-cents...

 

Although I live in Florida, I still bought a 4S. The AWD helps out in wet conditions.

 

Buy a used Cpo Turbo with low miles .

It will have the AWD for the snow , some of the comforts that you gave up in the Lexus , and enough Hp to make all that porsche "longing" worthwhile. The Gt1 engine is flawlessly reliable and an 07 car with low miles will cost as much as a new c2 .

 

Keep the Lexus. There are days when you'll want 4 doors and don't want to feel every crack in the road. Get snow tires for the Lexus. A used 997.1 C2 is all to get the porsche experience, no need to spend more.

 

+1 get the turbo, best of all worlds

 

I agree with Sizquik. I would not make a 911 a daily driver in bad weather conditions such as yours. I would keep the Lexus and buy what the budget allows for a 911. I agree that an 07 TT is the best value going right now. I daily drive a 4x4 Ford F150 and keep the GT3 in the stable to be used for fun only on good weather days.

 

I would also agree with Sizquik. I purchased a 2007 997.1 C2 a month and half ago, and I now appreciate my daily driver even more which is a Mazda 3. I don't feel every bump and I don't care where I park it.

 

buy a C2 at a decent price and keep the Lexus.

Learn to drive the C2 at some PCA DE's and enjoy.