C2 in the winter

Crazy idea or not? I have been looking for a C4 cab but the choices are limited. I work from home in Ohio so the only time i would have to travel in really bad weather would be my 70 mile commute to the airport (mostly turnpike). Opinions apprecaited.

As long as you've got snow tires the C2 works fine in the snow. I use mine all winter in Chicago. Check out this video..... http://hoheacht.free.fr/vids/nordschleife_winter.mpg

70 mile comutte ............... c2s on snows are ok but doing that kinda drive in nasty snow every day i would look for a c4 and get snows for it.

I'd disagree. First, he did not say "every day" he said "only to drive to the airport" and "mostly turnpike". Second, I'm not sure how often you've been in Cincinnati, but they don't get a ton of snow. Third, I'm wondering with your listed location if you've driven a lot of C2's in the snow?? If not you should really try it. With 60% of the weight over the rear wheels it is really very capable in winter conditions. Obviously, the C4 will have a tremendous advantage on acceleration. However, it won't brake or corner any better than a C2 in the snow.

It won't break any faster, but corners are much quicker in the C4 when you are on Snow. The front wheels grabbing have a pretty big impact. Looking forward to the lakes freezing up here in Minnesota again. (Course, the down side is normal driving is a bit tamer than a C2 when you hit the corner hard. Not the same, so try both before you buy.)

I live in the Cleveland area so the winters are a bit more than Cincy. Thanks for the opinions.

1st im sorry i missed the work from home part, every once in a while it might be ok I had thought he said he does 70 miles each way to work 2nd ive been to cincinatati (and cleveland ) quite a few times and they do get some snow to the point that i wouldnt want to drive a rwd car 70 miles on the high way in a bad snow, snow tires or not 3rd does your current location alway mean thats where youve always been iVe driven plenty of c2s in snow, with snow tires with all season and with street tires. I lived in detroit up till about a year ago and the snow there is pretty simialr to clevland. c2s in the snow are ok with snow tires they move much better then your average rwd sports car still not what id like to be in a bad snow storm in

Any other opinions on this? thanks

I've driven mine through Wisconsin snow and it was fine. I would have felt a lot better if I had snow tires on, but as long as you stay along with the speed limits, you should be fine. Just my 2 cents.

Ct to Vt with snow tires all winter long with out any problems. Not as much confidence as my previous awd vehicle (audi s4) but definitely manageable. You do not need to get a C4 just to get through the snow.

Ray S, cool vid. wish I had the translation even if it is the usual marketing drivel.

I don't think the snow would be any problem, but I don't drive too much in the winter because of the road treatment here in Colorado. We use Magnesium Chloride and it coats the whole car with a gooey film that is a pain to remove and may have some negative effects on the electrical system ( http://www.usda.gov/rus/electric/eng...m_chloride.htm )

I drove last winter with snow tires and no problem through 2 big snowstorms. Of course, regardless of the 'model' you get, snow tires are a MUST. The C2 is fine; I'm sure the C4 would be better but perhaps not a requirement. Either way, if it's really coming down very hard, it's best to wait it out if you can regardless of what type of car you have. Don't forget that there are other lunatic drivers out there with balding tires.

Buy snow tires! I have driven 5 winters in my C2 with no problems. I prefer Blizzaks over Pirelli. Last year, I drove through a couple of deep snows and the snow/sand mixture damaged the clear coat on my front calipers. There is not enough clearance between the wheel spokes and the calipers if the snow is too deep and gets packed in there. Sand is a very good abrasive. I do put on ugly rear Tweeks clip-on mud flaps to keep the sand from balsting the paint of the rear quarters.

Thanks for all the advice. Still looking.

I'm up in Toronto, and I'm definitely looking for a C4 or a C4S as a daily driver. I don't think I'd consider a RWD, since we usually have snow on the ground for at least 2-3 months in the winter. Frustrating - haven't been able to find the perfect car yet. Plenty of C2's available - I've seen 3-4 that I would have snatched up in a second, had they been C4 and not C2.

I'm in Toronto and previously was in Quebec. I drive my C2 days in and days out. I'm only leaving it behind on the very worst day mainly due to my perception about other drivers abilities in snow, not mine, not my car. 4 WD are really usefull in deep snow at very slow speed. Like on backcountry road. The biggest problem I've seen with 4 WD is that some driver feels that nothing can go wrong with 4WD and they end up losing control. 4WD doesn't repeal physics laws. So, same price or so do go for the 4WD but don't pass on a good C2 if you come across one.

Toronto here, too. With the disclaimer that I've never driven a C4, I have to say that it's tires that are going to make the biggest difference for you, not part-time 4WD. I'd take a C2 - or any 2wd car - with four proper winter tires over 4wd without. If it was me, I wouldn't walk away from a great C2 deal for only that reason. 'course, that and a subway token will get you downtown.

I agree - tyres are the key, not awd. A similar question comes up every year on miata.net, and everybody agrees that those cars work just fine with Blizzaks and a sack of cement in the trunk - pretty much the same as a C2

You guys from T.O., where do you get your rims and tires from? I need a set for my first winter with the C2. Thanks

I'm in the minority here in that I don't have a second set of rims. Just bought the winter tire from my dealer (Downtown Fine Cars). They were the same price as a regular tire shop. My rims still looks new after 47,000 Km. I can tell you that usually dealers have rims/wheels combo that are much cheaper that buying the items separately. I don't see the point in buying cheap ugly rims for winter unless you go with tires of different size ( say 17 instead of 18 inches). I just didn't care for the look of 17" tires. I do realise that handling might be better with narrower 17s .