[targa911man]

I did several 360's two winters ago while going 10-15 mph on Rte 28. Snow was not deep, but very slick. It spun every time I took my foot off the gas. I kissed the guard rail on the last one. I finally started pushing the clutch before easing off the gas and that seemed to correct the problem. I think I had 16" Yoko AVS's at the time.

[racer]

I think several folks have beaten around the bush - its ALL about the TIRES!. They make snow tires for a reason. If you drive in snow you should use them

For 3 years I drove my 914 year round and made sure my SNOWS had plenty of tread. Sure I got "stuck" once in a while but for the most part slow smooth movements were all that were needed.

[jpinkert]

I had the pleasure of riding shotgun in a carrera with blizzacks up into the Colorado mountains once on New Year's day. The snow was coming down pretty steadily and the roads were all snow-packed. No issues on either side of the pass, in fact it was apparently quite controllable. 4WD with typical all-seasons was no match. The front spoiler was plowing when we pulled into the parking lot at the ski area.

[scbartos]

My 1990 C2 has been challenged by an inch of snow on very moderate grades (e.g., on ramp to 66W). I think tire choice is the most important factor - I have Bridgestone SO3s - nice for dry but terrible on the white stuff.

[m5guru]

That does seem to be a reasonable summation of my brief research. It does all seem to be about the tires.

That being said, does anyone have any experience with BOTH the RWD and the AWD 911's to give a compare and contrast about their snow/bad weather abilities? Again, my interest is concentrated on getting around DC-area type weather year round.

Thanks,
David

[keithmckenney]

David,

We have a long drive up a good steep hill to the road. We never plow it or clear it.

It gets packed down. Frozen. Awful. The kids love it for sledding. Several times it has been just frozen ice for several days.

My SO goes to work every am at 7 and stays until she is done. Never mind the roads, the conditions and the rest. But she won't drive an suv. So what to do?

About 8 years ago I bought her a '90 911 awd targa (964). It goes on ice, snow and everything else. It is a beast. With a plow it might even clear the drive. And in the good weather with the top off it is as good as a cabriolet. She loves it.

I drive a ford explorer that does equally well in the snow and ice but only equally, not better.

If you really need to be there and get home in a 911, get an awd. Otherwise, get a rwd 911 and get set of winter wheel/snows and go just about everywhere.

My 0.02$ worth

[m5guru]

My commute is actually pretty easy. I have to get out of my driveway, which isn't a big deal since it is flat to downhill. Then onto a neighborhood street for a block then onto Democracy Blvd. Then to 270N and Shady Grove Road. I do leave early in the AM, but usually the roads are in pretty good shape since they are major throughfares. I have had trouble getting up my driveway since it is a bit uphill at the beginning portion. This has been in FWD cars with all-season tires. My AWD cars haven't had any problems, again on all-season tires.

It does seem to be a bit of overkill to get AWD and snows for those few days that the roads are difficult around here. But than again, I don't mind the extra concrete they use in the nuclear reactors!

David

[cmcfaul@aol.com]

I drive my 73 911 most days and get caught in snow storms at times. Traction in the rear is not a problem. Under steer and braking are huge concerns. With so little weight in the front it is very difficult to steer or stop in the snow.

On the plus side, can do some GREAT donuts in the parking lot!

Chris
73 911E

[BobNovas]

Chris - interesting point about the front end being light. I wonder if this is true only for the early cars, or if a 996 C2 would have the same behavior. Certainly, a C4, with the AWD differential up front, should have more weight up front and thus better steering behavior in the snow.

[TD in DC]

Originally Posted by BobNovas

Chris - interesting point about the front end being light. I wonder if this is true only for the early cars, or if a 996 C2 would have the same behavior. Certainly, a C4, with the AWD differential up front, should have more weight up front and thus better steering behavior in the snow.

The 996s feel pretty neutral in the snow, AND they have PSM, which prevents/lessens some of the effects of traction loss/weight imbalance. Last year, there was an extreme shortage of snow tires for the sizes required for 996 C2s so I tried not to drive when there was snow since I still had my summer tires on.