AWD or C4 in the snow??
 

So i have been thinking about dumping the 5 series and buying a 964 for daily driver. Have any of you other Northerners driven these cars in the winter and how have your experiences been? Of course I will buy a set of snow tires :rolleyes:

My wife thinks I am not practical, but that is debatable...

Thanks for the info.

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The issue you will have is that the car is low to the ground and may float in heavy snow. Also, the snow tires need to be much narrower than is standard, so they can "bite" into the snow. This will mean a set of "Winter" wheels.

Finally, real snow tires do not ride well and are noisy.

When I used to commute 54 miles each way from West Stockbridge Mass to Schenectady NY, I drove a front wheel drive Honda. I kept a set of snow tires in the trunk and swapped them out on the days there was snow. This way I had better mileage and lower noise during 90% of the winter, and great snow traction when there was snow.

If I had to do it these days, I'd get one of those electric impact guns and a low weight capacity electric jacks.

Winter tires are much better now. And you have to have FOUR of them on an AWD C4.

I drove my 993 C4 in Colorado snow once... it was completely helpless, but that was with Pilot Powers. Not exactly snow-worthy. I didn't like the way the computer dialed in the % to the front, either. It wasn't very graceful.

Our region president has a 964 C4 and now a 996 C4 and he prefers them over his mercedes in the snow. Granted, and OK snow isn't much to speak of....

I drove mine for three winters in the 'snow belt'. It was always good. Very good.

Heat in 30 seconds, excellent heated seats, excellent traction. And lots of fun to drive.

Go for it.

I am looking for a 964 C4 for year-round daily-driver duty. I drove one in the snow last winter, and was REALLY impressed with the traction on good winter tires (blizzaks). The 964 I drove had the ability to lock the front to back diffs up to 40 kph(25mph). That really allowed it to dig its way up my driveway, I was very impressed. Neither my benz (rwd on studded winters) or my volvo (fwd on blizzaks) made it up my driveway that day, only that 964 C4.

I like the look (and the price) of the 964's vs the 993, although I've read that the 993 is a better AWD system than the 964.

I have to admit that I was less enthralled with the 964 C4 after driving it in the summer... I found it felted heavy and bit less "direct" feeling, esp compared to the 86 carrera I had that week.

Biggest challenge I am running into is finding a car that is well suited to being a year-round daily driver. If I'm going to drive a car with salty slush stuck to it all winter long, I don't want to pay a premium for a car that's advertised as "immaculate, never driven in the rain, spotless" etc etc. At the same time, a couple cars I've looked at have been "rode hard and put away wet". Also, many have a list of "minor issues" that add up to 3-4k pretty quick... AC, electrical, trim issues.

Also, it seems like the majority of the cars out there are white or guards red (no offense, just not my preference) or they a light grey interior (not ideal for messy daily driver/daddy duty)

I'd be VERY interested to know how any other owners found the 964 was as a DIY maintenance car.

I drove my 964 all year long last year. I never had a issue, and was able to power up and through any snow that fell. I think the deepest was ~4 inches that I tried unplowed.

Other than clearance, I feel it was better in the snow than my jeep wrangler.

If you guys are searching for a C4 964, here is the one that our PCA region pres is trying to sell. One of the nicest 964s I have seen. 1991 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Targa

Here's a nice one that went unsold on ebay a few days ago:
Porsche : 911 Porsche : 911 | eBay

Here's one that I wish had been black or green:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/631678-fs-964-a.html

Not a fan of 964 targas. Am considering cabs though

I would honestly prefer a car that has a few more scratches and dings than that. I'm going to scratch it, curb the wheels, and get ice cream and kid puke in the carpet, so I don't want to pay a premium for "spotless". I do really like the fact that the engine's been done

here's one in Calgary that is keeping me awake at night:
http://alberta.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-trucks-1989-Porsche-911-Carrera4-Coupe-W0QQAdIdZ306274208

I understand your want for a hardtop in the GWN jake, was just throwing it out there.

Oh it's not for practical reasons, heck I'd do a cabriolet. The only targas I like are longhoods.

the 996 C4s are tempting too, probably more practical, but not as pretty

I drove a 1970 911T one winter in the snow, even with all-season tires it was a blast! Rearward weight bias means you have lots of traction out back, just steer with the throttle and you're fine.:D

That red 964 was updated to an '03 C4 in speed yellow. A very sexy car indeed...

Great! Now I have competition for a nice one ;-)
I still have to convince the Mrs.
Jake keep us updated if you find one.

It's taken me 5 years to convince Mrs Notfarnow. The deal is I have to finish all the current house projects before I buy a 911. Right now that's just trimwork and upgrading a bathroom> should be good to go by January.

every couple of weeks, there seems to be a nice one pop up either here, rennlist or ebay... no need to fight over one ;). Also keep in mind I don't want a "nice" one, so much as a good one!

Question for those in the know... anyone had to do work on the 964 AWD system? How DIY friendly is it? I've heard it can be pretty terrible if the fluid hasn't been flushed every few years, and also that the system flush is not a DIY job... any experience with that?

Never cracked mine. I understand if it goes tits up... I have a paperweight.

My 964 was fantastic in the snow...with the right tires. Clearance was an issue when it snowed more than 6-8 inches. The all-wheel drive system is best described as complicated.