911 Daily Driver?

arbita1 · arbita1's Garage

Does anyone in the North East use their 911 as a daily driver.

I've been contemplating getting rid of my daily beater Saab and using the money to install A/C and buy an extra set of wheels/snow tires. And maybe a stereo upgrade...satellite radio would be nice.

At any rate, I'm just trying to see if it's feasible.

My original idea was to sell both the Saab and the 911SC and buy myself a late 90's BMW M3. But I just can't seem to committ myself to that idea.

Keep in mind my daily commute consists of a 20 minute drive (50% highway/50% roads) to the train station. But I still need to be able to drive in the snow if need be.

Any thoughts/experience with this?

seymore · 06-17-2008, 05:16 PM

I dirve mine everyday about 20 miles round trip. But in DC it doesnt snow much and if it does the roads are clean in a couple of hours. I didnt buy the car to let it sit. I think, drive it until it dies, fix it and do it all over again! Just my 2cents.

SCOTITUDE · 06-17-2008, 07:26 PM

drove my Sc for the first 2 years I had her. every day. snow, rain, everything. It was great. She became a track car after that. I would love another one to drive every day. The SC blows away the BMW in the snow. The bimmer sucks A$$ in the white stuff. Go for the 911.

zotman72 · 06-17-2008, 07:38 PM

I have a 54 mile rt daily slog commute in Denver. I used to use my SC for this task during 3 seasons but parked it a month ago. The mpg was killing me (20 or so city) with premium gas prices. Now I drive my 72 911T once a week for my fix and other four days with the new A3. Functional AC does win out in hot summer weather.

Porsche virgin · 06-18-2008, 09:09 AM

Similarly, I've been thinking about selling my RSX-S and the 911 and buying a Boxster for everyday use. I only drive about 5k a year, and my drive to Metro North is only about five minutes. An air-cooled car wouldn't even warm up. IMO, the poor defrost is a tough pill to swallow. Also, keeping the A/C working properly is laborious. (I took mine out.)

If you can deal with the shortcomings and have the $ to keep the 911 running well, I would applaud the move. These cars are meant to be driven. I wish I had the gumption (and the $) to do it myself.

BernieP · BernieP's Garage

I live in Pittsburgh and have a similar commute, I drive mine every day and have never had a problem with snow. However mine is rusting under the headlights and will need some repairs soon. I have an 80 Euro SC.

Bernie

Curt911 · 06-18-2008, 03:06 PM

I'm in Buffalo, and use my '87 daily from early April through the end of October. No salt for my baby, so I can't speak about driving in snow. I commute 10 miles to downtown, part highway and part city streets. Its a ball to drive. There are two other 911s in the parking ramp, although not every day like mine. I say go for it.

Macroni · Macroni's Garage

Works if it is a coupe, you do not commute w/ traffic and you don't drink coffee

ramonesfreak · ramonesfreak's Garage

i would but i dont because of rain and salt. if it wasnt for those 2 factors, i would do so, even without A/C. if you dont care about corrosion, i dont see why you couldnt. if i lived out west, no doubt it would be my everyday car

Embraer · Embraer's Garage

Back when I had my 912, I drove that everyday, rain, snow, shine, etc. In one year, I put over 20,000 miles on it. It was a blast in the snow. I did wash it about every 3 days, though

ldortiz · ldortiz's Garage

I have an 86 coupe. I teach at a small college 15 miles south of where I live. It is all country road. I drive her about 3 times a week August-October and then April to August. No snow or rain for my baby.

Leo

Winter · 06-18-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srandallf

i would but i dont because of rain and salt. if it wasnt for those 2 factors, i would do so, even without A/C. if you dont care about corrosion, i dont see why you couldnt. if i lived out west, no doubt it would be my everyday car

Well, it depends upon what you mean about "west". There's no way that my '75 targa will ever replace my RS2'd '95 S6 avant here in the winter. But, of course, I live in Colorado. Quattro kicks ass in the snow.

People have mentioned salt as an issue, and I'll have to add that the de-icer they use here (mag chloride) on the roads is only one step better than the salt seen in other states. I don't think I'd put my P car through a winter of it. Not to mention the rear wheel drive. . .even with studded snow tires it would be no match for the Audi. I'd stick with the beater Saab. Drive that car into the ground on the lousy days, save the P car for the nice sunny ones.

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Tom