I really need you on this one fellas

I sold an awesome '90 Range Rover to a fella last April and he want to sell it back to me.

The only way I can do this is to sell my 76 911S for $9,500. I bought it $4000 and it is in pretty good shape.

DO I SELL? I live in Evergreen Colorado and we do get snow. I WANT the PORSCHE more than the Rover, but the Rover is so darn practical sp? (hate that word)

How do PORSCHE's really do in snow with snow tires?

All advise is welcome, provide it is pro PORSCHE!!!


[This message has been edited by VIPRKLR (edited 10-29-2000).]

I live in the metro area and drove a in a 912 in a through a number of winters and up to the slopes quite a bit. Never had any problems with traction, the engine located at the rear gave the same traction you find in a good front wheel drive car. The only issue is if you push the rear end out to far it hard to bring it back around again.

I haven't had the 930 out in the snow yet, it ought to be an experience.

I read your last post on a good emisions man. I'm putting on some new SS headers and free flow muffler (no cat), I hope it will pass the e test. You mind passing on his name.

Todd

I lived in Idaho Falls for two or three winters. -20 degrees F. Six feet of standing snow depth. I drove a VW bug then, and IT WAS A BLAST. I tell you, with snow tires, they drive just like tanks, except that I think tanks would handle more poorly.

The 911 would be considerably lower, so that could be a problem, and salted roads would be a killer, corrosion wise.

The 930 would be pure entertainment, Todd, you should sell tickets.

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'83 SC

For the first 1 1/2 years I owned my 72 911 I lived in Spokane Washington. This is in Eastern Washington and does not have the mild climate that Seattle does. It's more like Montana. Very cold and very windy winters. The kind where you get chapped lips from the 15ft walk to the car. It's also pretty hilly in the south end where I lived. Some of the things I learned from this experience:

Put snow tires on ALL 4 corners not just the rear
With snow tires, 911's will go almost anywhere.
911's are very communicative about the road surface.
Put a blanket or cover over it overnight to help with defrost.
911's give heat sooner than a water cooled car.
911's are susceptible to rock chips with their low hoods. Get a bra.
911's are far more reliable than anything British. (didn't learn that in Spokane but as a mechanic who has worked on Land Rovers.)
BTW. I just sold my Jeep so now my daily driver is a 911 Cabriolet.... and here comes winter. (In Seattle that means rain tires and fresh wiper blades.)
I've seen many 911's with ski racks up at the local ski resorts, they must know something.
Now for an anecdote.
Back when I lived in Spokane I was making the trek to Seattle on I-90 in terrible winter conditions. I-90 was a solid sheet of compact snow and ice. The little 911 tracked so nice and gave me such a good feel for the road surface that I felt confident enough to cruise along at about 35 mph. That was about 20 MPH faster than even the generally overconfident SUV's were doing. After blowing by the beclustered steering wheel clenching, teeth grinding, forehead sweating SUV pilots, I was all alone in the dark of night with no headlights in my rearview. After about 10 mins. of this I noticed some familiarly round headlights coming up on me in the slow lane (I was in the fast lane) at a seemingly impossible rate. Just as the car was abreast of me he backed off and stayed even. I glanced over to see a brand new Carrera 4 with a waving and saluting driver. I smiled, gave the thumbs up and waved as he once again hit the throttle and showed me his taillights. He had to have been doing at least 60 before and after he encountered me. Since that day I've vowed that one day a C-4 would be my winter car. Unbelievable in the snow. In closing I'd suggest keeping the 911 and get to know the limits and characteristics of your cars handling as they are amplified by slick roads. But my 911 never left me stranded in bad weather and I'm sure I was having more fun than anybody in their 4-wheelers.

Good story. I agree that snow tires belong on all fours. I would add that studs are necessary too, as that is your ONLY traction on sheet ice, which will be encountered in most places. I found that real good studded snows are magic.

Again I say that while there is a downside to driving a 911 in snow (rocks, salt..) I think it would be a blast and I'll bet they handle like the gymnasts they are. Bullies, even in winter.

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'83 SC

Good story. I agree that snow tires belong on all fours. I would add that studs are necessary too, as that is your ONLY traction on sheet ice, which will be encountered in most places. I found that real good studded snows are magic.

Again I say that while there is a downside to driving a 911 in snow (rocks, salt..) I think it would be a blast and I'll bet they handle like the gymnasts they are. Bullies, even in winter.

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'83 SC

Brainiac -- thanks for that insight. I've been debating about trying to keep my 911 out all winter here in Minnesota. It's always had a cold start problem, but I think I've got that fixed now. Plus it's been lowered on 15" rims, so ground clearance will be a problem. My plan is to get some 16" rims (original Fuchs) from somebody and mount some good all-season radials for year round use. Also, I'll raise the suspension back up to US specs. Should I also put some extra weight up front? Maybe a couple of bags of sand (150 1bs)?

I used to drive a VW beetle a long time ago. It was hard to beat in the snow, except it had a tendency to want to become a front engine car on glare ice.


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Bill Krause
'79 911SC Euro

That's it, I'm getting a set of snow tires for that extra set of Fuchs. I'll polish them up next spring perhaps.

VIPRKLR, don't chew dare sell that thar 911! The one thing I would be concerned with is perhaps corrosion from road salt, but if you have a '76, there's a chance you have galvanizing...do you?

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Mark Szabo
1986 911 Targa 3.2

One other question: What's the best set of snow tires out there for our cars?

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Mark Szabo
1986 911 Targa 3.2

VIPRKLR,

No need to sell the 911. I drove one in Germany for 8 years, summer and winter, and had a set of doggy BBS (one piece) wheels with agressive snow tires on them for the winter season.

Saw some people who drove in Bavaria up in the mountains and they went to town by having the mechanics adjust the ride height up a inch or so to give some more ground and snow clearance and nothing slowed them down.

Also, if you are having really cold conditions, I would get a electric heating element to put on the bottom of the motor case. No idea where to find one but I would look in Trade a Plane (www.tradeaplane.com) and see. We have the same sort of electric heaters for airplanes, and the engine case for an airplane is exactly the same as a 911.
Contact some of the people in TAP and tell them that you want something for a car, and the price goes down substancially. You guys living up in Minnesota may have sources for these heating elements as well...

If you are worried about salt, make sure that your car is the zinc coated version, and wash it off from time to time.

Have fun, while the other people are driving boring cars, you are having fun year around!

JA

VIPRKLR,

No need to sell the 911. I drove one in Germany for 8 years, summer and winter, and had a set of doggy BBS (one piece) wheels with agressive snow tires on them for the winter season.

Saw some people who drove in Bavaria up in the mountains and they went to town by having the mechanics adjust the ride height up a inch or so to give some more ground and snow clearance and nothing slowed them down.

Also, if you are having really cold conditions, I would get a electric heating element to put on the bottom of the motor case. No idea where to find one but I would look in Trade a Plane (www.tradeaplane.com) and see. We have the same sort of electric heaters for airplanes, and the engine case for an airplane is exactly the same as a 911.
Contact some of the people in TAP and tell them that you want something for a car, and the price goes down substancially. You guys living up in Minnesota may have sources for these heating elements as well...

If you are worried about salt, make sure that your car is the zinc coated version, and wash it off from time to time.

Have fun, while the other people are driving boring cars, you are having fun year around!

JA

VIPRKLR,

No need to sell the 911. I drove one in Germany for 8 years, summer and winter, and had a set of doggy BBS (one piece) wheels with agressive snow tires on them for the winter season.

Saw some people who drove in Bavaria up in the mountains and they went to town by having the mechanics adjust the ride height up a inch or so to give some more ground and snow clearance and nothing slowed them down.

Also, if you are having really cold conditions, I would get a electric heating element to put on the bottom of the motor case. No idea where to find one but I would look in Trade a Plane (www.tradeaplane.com) and see. We have the same sort of electric heaters for airplanes, and the engine case for an airplane is exactly the same as a 911.
Contact some of the people in TAP and tell them that you want something for a car, and the price goes down substancially. You guys living up in Minnesota may have sources for these heating elements as well...

If you are worried about salt, make sure that your car is the zinc coated version, and wash it off from time to time.

Have fun, while the other people are driving boring cars, you are having fun year around!

JA

VIPRKLR,

No need to sell the 911. I drove one in Germany for 8 years, summer and winter, and had a set of doggy BBS (one piece) wheels with agressive snow tires on them for the winter season.

Saw some people who drove in Bavaria up in the mountains and they went to town by having the mechanics adjust the ride height up a inch or so to give some more ground and snow clearance and nothing slowed them down.

Also, if you are having really cold conditions, I would get a electric heating element to put on the bottom of the motor case. No idea where to find one but I would look in Trade a Plane (www.tradeaplane.com) and see. We have the same sort of electric heaters for airplanes, and the engine case for an airplane is exactly the same as a 911.
Contact some of the people in TAP and tell them that you want something for a car, and the price goes down substancially. You guys living up in Minnesota may have sources for these heating elements as well...

If you are worried about salt, make sure that your car is the zinc coated version, and wash it off from time to time.

Have fun, while the other people are driving boring cars, you are having fun year around!

JA

I just sold my Range Rover! you couldn't pay me to own another one!!!!!!! Keep the 911 as I drive mine up to Mt Bake every winter in Washington w/no problems. When I used to live in Denver a couple of years ago I had an Suburau Outback which did awesome.

Viprklr,

I'm sure the 911 will do quite well in the snow. I don't remember anything slowing the Germans down on the autobahn..sleet, snow, rain...they were hammering...However, A Range Rover in my opinion would be a much better fit for inclement weather.

If I were you Id get the Rover back for the snow days and drive my 911 when its clean and green

How can you call a Range Rover practical, they cost more to fix than a 911. Keep the 911 and buy a nice domestic pickup 4x4. Ford F150 or something.

Chris

Wow, never heard of any English car described as practical before!

For whatever it is worth I had a R.Rover of a similar age for many years and without a doubt it was the single most expensive car I’ve ever owned, to keep on the road. Keep the Porsche - much more reliable much more fun.

Regards,


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Paul
911T'69

To the extent you are concerned about corrosion there are plenty of (relatively) inexpensive treatments available too.

Wurth sells plenty of stuff, for example.

Cam

If you can swing it, have the best of both worlds. I was in the same situation some months ago. I love my 1995 Range Rover and will never sell it. Its a fabulous vehicle and excels at what it was designed to do: off-roading. Many a-times I would get bewildered looks as I went past stuck Jeeps, Toyotas, etc. The truck makes it look effortless.

Then again, I love my '87 Carrera. I can't wait to play with it in the snow to see how it handles (before the roads get salted).

So keep the 911, and buy back the Rover!

On an unrelated note, I heard that the Mini is coming back to the US. Can't wait for that. Check out www.mini.com for info.

Hey guys,

Sorry about the triple posting. I clicked on the "submit reply" and nothing happened. I waited a couple of minutes and same thing, after a third time I gave up and logged off.

Sorry... if I could delete the other two, would do it!

JA