winter beater?

[Christien]

Any suggestions for a good Porsche to use as a winter car? Bearing in mind that salt is dumped on roads around here by the ton, and I don't want to have to wash the car every day. Is it possible to get something not overly expensive, and just drive it into the ground over several years? I'd need something that's reliable, good in snow, and will hold up to salt at least somewhat, with a wash maybe once a week.

I'm thinking of maybe a 944, or even a 928, if one can be had for a decent price.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Chris

[Jerome Ryals]

Ever driven an early 924, well balanced, can be had for still relative expense, easy to work on and still fun to drive, find one put a decent set of wheels and tires on it and drive it till it wears out.

[svandamme]

924
cheap as hell

very reliable ( if it has been driven regulary, not in a field like mine for
2 years ... electric problems that had to be sorted out first )

narrow tires, good in snow

galvanized (the chassis on mine doesn't have rust, the fenders do , a little, but i don't fix it , cause that's theft protection around here .. )

[thabaer]

944s are also well balanced, and it seems that you're more likely to get a galvanized body with one. (drawing a complete blank on when that started though...)

edit: and now that I reloaded the page I see that some 924s definitely are, thanks Stijn!

[cegerer]

How about something along these lines ........

[Christien]

Thanks for the ideas. My first thought was an old 911 in decent shape, but I wouldn't want a pre-galvanized body because of the salt, and I couldn't watch it just rot away - it'd drive me nuts! Also, they're always needing something done to them, which is great fun with my 72 911, but for the winter I want something that needs very little upkeep.

I'll look into a 944, maybe. Anybody know what they're like in the snow? (I'll post this into the 944 group.)

Chris

[Tim Hancock]

My 16 yr old daughter's 77 924 (at least she now thinks it is hers) does awesome with it's new Falken ziex 512 all season tires in our recent snow. The bodies are galvanized but the door skins, hood, and fenders are not. These cars are gutless but the engines are pretty tough. Best thing is that they are cheap enough that you do not have to worry about something happening to them.

[Doug&Julie]

Here's my winter beater.

[cubby911T]

Hey, Doug - how does your Boxster do in the snow?

[Doug&Julie]

Originally posted by cubby911T
Hey, Doug - how does your Boxster do in the snow?

Awesome, actually. With the motor right over the rear wheels, winter tires, and traction control...there are few sports cars better. The hard top helps with the heated glass rear window and insulation properties.

The photo/post was kind-of a joke, but in reality one can get a decent second hand Boxster for well under $20k and drive it all year 'round. In fact, the reason I sold my (now Bernie's) '88 911 is because I wanted one car....one Porsche that I could drive all year.

Where do you live in South Bend? I'm a Clay High School graduate...class of '88. We lived in Knollwood. Now my parents and my brother live right across the state line in Niles. If you see a black '03 Boxster, that's his. In fact, here's a picture in keeping with the thread...

[cubby911T]

Doug - thanks for the commentary! I will definitely be sharing your thread with the wife so I can convince her that I should have a 2nd Porsche! LOL!!!!

We live on the northwest side of South Bend, right on the Michigan State Line. Our subdivision is off of Portage Ave. I grew up in Buchanan (Class of '88 also!). Small world, huh? I'll keep an eye out for your brother's black Boxster .

[Doug&Julie]

Once we get moved (we're trying to move to the PNW), I'll be looking into a second Pcar...a 911 of course. But for now, I can only "afford" one, so a Boxster it is. But I DO miss my 911.

Nice T by the way!

[Tim Hancock]

Buchanan, Isn't that where Red Bud National MX track is. If so, I have eaten some of that dirt in my younger years!

[ChrisBennet]

My 944 works great in the snow with snow tires. The transmission is at the back so traction is pretty good.
-Chris

[cubby911T]

Correct Tim! The Redbud Mud!!!

Doug - thanks I'm currently replacing the carpet and seats. Winter sucks. Your signature line mentions a 72T project car....so are you saying you don't have that anymore?

[Kevin Stewart]

I think this is a first time i have read anyone speak of southbend Mishawaka Area, Im in Mishawaka Look for the Fat yeller car, Kevin

[Doug&Julie]

Originally posted by cubby911T
Doug - thanks I'm currently replacing the carpet and seats. Winter sucks. Your signature line mentions a 72T project car....so are you saying you don't have that anymore?

Funny you should ask. I just posted this...

1972 911T Project Car

[Jay Auskin]

Originally posted by Doug&Julie
...In fact, the reason I sold my (now Bernie's) '88 911 is because...

You'd be happy to know Bernie is doing great things with that 911 you sold him. He upgraded the entire front suspension, and I just helped him drop the engine so he can finish up the rear. It's a nice car, and appears as if it's getting even better.

[Lukesportsman]

when I clicked on this thread, I half expected to see a Cayenne Finally a use for an SUV Porsche.

[Doug&Julie]

Originally posted by Jay Auskalnis
You'd be happy to know Bernie is doing great things with that 911 you sold him. He upgraded the entire front suspension, and I just helped him drop the engine so he can finish up the rear. It's a nice car, and appears as if it's getting even better.

Thanks Jay. I've heard from Bernie a couple of times. He really seems to be making a super sweet car (it was already sweet). I'm happy to see he's enjoying it and the car is in good hands, but I'm sad that I had to let her go!

I'll be back in one before too long...