Fall's here, winter's coming - only one car...

I returned my Audi TT 225 Quattro coupe last month and now have my '03 C2 cab. I'm starting to get a little worried about the winter weather. Do I: A. Not worry B. Purchase a set of snow tires and wheels C. Get another car for winter Any advice would be appreciated. I assume a quality set of wheels/winter tires would possibly cost more than leasing something like a Civic for a couple of years - which I could use for all poor weather driving. I have a set of winter tires and rims from my TT, but I'm relatively certain I can't put 16s on the car.

I'd vote for "A" if the P-car was purchased as a daily driver. However, if you cannot stop worrying, I'd get me a set of winter wheels and tires. OTOH, if you can afford another car, go get another Audi Quattro. Then again, why did you sell the TT in the first place?

I tried "A" but then we had that really bad winter last year, so I opted for "C". Enjoy your Cab! I also came from a TTR to a 996 Cab. I loved that car!

TT lease was up, would have ended up way upside down on the buyout. I was finally in a good position to get the 996 and I haven't looked back. I was more concerned about the handling in cold/snow with the P-Zeros.

When I used to live in Bergen County, it only seemed to snow on the roads only a few times, but it's a gamble. If you can't call in sick on snow days, I would get another car, IMHO...If it had been a C4S that you had purchased, the awd with snow's would provide you with a reasonable level of slippery road traction. It's a tough call...I think a C2, even with snows might be a bit squirrelly. God forbid you slide into someone or vice versa and your new baby gets bruised. Best of luck and congrats!!!

I find with PSM my C2 handles great on snow and even on glare ice. BUT! I cannot bear the thought of the car getting salted. I have two "Winter" cars.

I recommend not to worry. I've had two C2's (1999 and 2002) that my wife drives to work every day from Manhattan to the Bronx. The only time she doesn't drive is where there's really bad snow or ice.

I would get another car. I have X5 for winter driving

hi doc. i have driven a c2 with snows, a c4 with snows, etc. let me say this, if you have psm, it is do-able with 4 snows. but, after doing it, i can tell you that in 5 or more inches, it gets tough. what i would do is to lease a subaru awd for less then $300/month and use it during snow, or when you don't want to take your c2, like going to nyc, continental arena, mall, etc. if you can swing it, it is the best option.

I agonized over the very same thing when I got my '01 C2 last month. I decided to keep my '01 Audi S4, which is very capable on light snow and ice with Pilot Sport A/S tires. Another great choice for a winter ride is a used Subie WRX. They should be available for well under $20K. The Audi lease is up in March, but my buyout is $23K which should be below wholesale. I worry much more about outher drivers' abilities then my own. Ed

Three words... SU BA RU. I hate the idea of spending money on a winter car, but I hate the idea of some a**clown slamming into my pride and joy because they can't drive in the winter more. A Subaru is an excellent winter vehicle without spending a serious amount of cash. Trust me, a Subie will give you a worry free winter time. ...and no, I don't sell Subarus. But I have owned three and I'm looking for another!

As you clearly remember, last year was a disaster weather-wise. I had a really really bad experience with my BMW spinning out of control twice during one of the storms. It was so bad I immediately bought a Volvo XC90 for my wife and for me to drive during inclement weather. I used to always take my chances. I highly recommend that you get another car so you will be around to drive the 996 for many years to come.

By the way...you would not happen to be Dr. G the weather guy from WB11 news?????

I'd get snow tires for sure but if you can try to get another car. The weight on the 911 is biases to the rear. Since your car is rear wheel drive, with the engine right over it, you have the real change of having the back end slide out in a turn or in a curve. If you had the C4 with blizzaks, you would be set. My friend tried driving his C2 to work and after 2 weeks went in a bought a WRX as his winter car.

Doc....MOVE! We are I wouldn't think of abusing that beautiful car

I drove my C2 in the snow once, it was really no fun at all. AWD or not, there are too many risks driving in snow. Besides, enjoying a 911 to me means dry grippy pavement. I say C, a beater and the prize.

Cayenne....if you can get one. They seem to be selling much faster these days....

If your planning on driving your Porsche during the winter than put snow tires on it! Don't gamble with the Z-rated tires you have. PSM helps a LOT but won't help enough. Snow is not the only thing that drastically reduces tire grip, low temperatures (40F) will also slightly reduce traction. Not drastically but enough that you will have to change your driving habits (no more WOT coming out of a corner unless your ready for the wheels to more than chirp.) Most owners make the mistake of trying to drive with Z-rated tires during a slight dusting of snow and then decide that all Porsches suck during the winter because their choice of tire was "lacking." (To this day I don't think my neighbors have had a more memorable experience than the first morning I tried to drive in the snow in the "expensive, waste of money, looks like a VW, the engines in the wrong place, etc. european sports car.") Having a majority of the cars weight sitting above the driven wheels is a great thing IF you have proper tires. You'll be really surprised how having a huge amount of torque driven through the rear wheels can be a wonderful thing. If anything, your C2 will be easier to drive during winter than 95% of the crap on the road. Some of my greatest memories driving a Porsche come from my parents place in Northern Quebec where the snowbanks were easily 10'-15' every winter and you didn't have to worry about bouncing off them, you just had to keep an eye out for the random snowmobile.