Carrera 4 as a DD in Chicago? | FerrariChat
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Carrera 4 as a DD in Chicago?

Discussion in 'Porsche' started by badges2, Aug 29, 2009.

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  1. badges2

    badges2 Formula 3

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    #1 badges2, Aug 29, 2009
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2009
    I have been feeling out the market for a '99 -'04 911 Carrera. I have chosen those years as they fit my budget and I'm a fan of the look. I'm also looking to try for a '02 or newer purchase. My original intent was to keep my Ford 4X4 as a third car (since it's paid for and won't bring much of a trade-in) and the Porsche would be my "fair weather friend". However, my wife and I are beginning to not like the idea of a third car in the way and one that would only be used in poor weather. I have now been thinking of getting into a Carrera 4 and making this my daily driver. I've done searches and found posts that say you can drive in the snow, but nothing about using it as a main driver. I live in the Chicago suburbs (it's not my fault, it's my parent's for raising us here!) and have a 15 miles commute each way to work). Chicago seems to be averaging about 3, maybe 4, snowstorms each winter season that the car would have to be used for that commute. My question is this, is it smart to use the C4 as a daily driver? I know the car can drive in the snow, but is it something I want to take on for an entire winter season? I drive for a living (armed revenue enhancer ;) ) and I'm trained as an emergency vehicle operations instructor, so I feel I'm at least more capable than the average driver. My thoughts keep coming back to, "Well they're made in Germany, so they must be designed to handle in winter weather". I would plan on buying winter wheels and tires for it. I'm also pretty anal with keeping my cars clean, so I would hope to keep on top of the car's condition. I just don't want to get into a situation where I'm trying to use a car for something it shouldn't be doing. I'm hoping someone has some input on this. Anything particular to avoid? Anything that I would want to make sure is included? Thanks for any ideas or comments!

    I'm looking at a May, 2010 purchase as at that point I won't have any car payments at all.
     
  2. David_S

    David_S F1 World Champ
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    #2 David_S, Aug 29, 2009
    I used a '93 Carrera 4 as a daily/winter driver for quite a few years between Hanover Park & St Charles. It was great so long as I had decent tires & simply amazing when I had actual snow tires.
     
  3. rspike

    rspike Karting

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    #3 rspike, Aug 29, 2009
    whats a armed revenue enhancer? Sounds like I need one!
     
  4. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #4 amenasce, Aug 29, 2009
    I have been using a C4S for 3 years in Chicago and in the burbs and it's fine. I didnt take it out when there was a snow storm but when you have a little snow, the car was fine. BUT, i am very frustrated by downtown and even some burbs roads as they are the worst piece of roads i have seen in a developped country. Holes everywhere. I had 7 flat tyres in 35k miles. My next car will be a regular car. No point in having a nice car in these boring roads.
     
  5. badges2

    badges2 Formula 3

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    #5 badges2, Aug 29, 2009
    Thanks for the feedback everyone! Did you have to put snow tires on? I find it hard to believe you've run into bad roads though! Isn't that what our tolls pay for? Plus they do lots of construction to fix those problems. ;) Don't they????
     
  6. Kds

    Kds F1 World Champ

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    #6 Kds, Aug 29, 2009
    Lots of my clients use a C4 as a DD up here in Calgary........we've got the same year round climate as Chicago. They are the perfect car IMHO.
     
  7. badges2

    badges2 Formula 3

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    #7 badges2, Aug 29, 2009
    I found a couple of posts on a different site and with these comments, I'm thinking I have nothing to worry about. I really respect your posts and was wondering if you have any input on what your suggestion would be year wise. There is an '02 C4S that's been for sale locally that I really like the look of. Thanks again
     
  8. Carnut

    Carnut F1 Rookie

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    #8 Carnut, Aug 29, 2009
    Search google video, you will find videos of C4 driven in the snow, they handle it better than you would think. The only real problem is ground clearance, since they only have about 4".
     
  9. F40

    F40 F1 Rookie

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    #9 F40, Aug 29, 2009
    It will be fine! Porsche uses these cars for their winter driving courses in Quebec.
     
  10. frefan

    frefan F1 Veteran

    Apr 21, 2004
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    #10 frefan, Aug 29, 2009
    It does great in the snow unless the snow is deep. I drive mine all year round in Reno/Tahoe, and as long as the roads are plowed I have no problems. But on some of the side roads that don't get plowed, they build up a rut in the middle, I can't drive on those because the car is too low. Otherwise its no problem and its the perfect DD. Storage is not the best, my next car I'll delete the 6-disc player in the trunk to add a little more space up front.
     
  11. badges2

    badges2 Formula 3

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    #11 badges2, Aug 29, 2009
    Thanks for all the input! I'll be keeping an eye out now for a decent C4 or C4S.
     
  12. LightGuy

    LightGuy Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #12 LightGuy, Aug 29, 2009
    If you can swing it get a TT.

    Not that much more $.
    Much more car.
     
  13. Kds

    Kds F1 World Champ

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    #13 Kds, Aug 29, 2009
    Neil....

    Depends on your wallet and tolerance for abuse of the car's cosmetics.

    99-01 if you're not.........02+ if you are.
     
  14. badges2

    badges2 Formula 3

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    #14 badges2, Aug 30, 2009
    Here's a pretty good example of that!

    http://www.diamondmotorworks.com/detail-2002-porsche-911-turbo-4524200.html

    A buddy of mine went in ready to buy this car though. It ended up having two crashes on it even though the ad says clean Carfax. He also said the body panels just seemed a little tweaked in a couple of spots. TTs are really dropping in price though.
     
  15. spike308

    spike308 F1 Rookie
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    #15 spike308, Aug 30, 2009
    Funny... I was just going to post the same question, same location (Chicago)!!

    I currently drive an audi TT coupe, and with the snow tires, its really quite good. Deep stuff a problem, but it is for any car.
     
  16. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #16 Bullfighter, Aug 30, 2009
    I lived in Chicago. They do endless amounts of construction and somehow never fix those problems.

    I have an 08 Audi TT. Don't get the optional 18 inch wheels if you're driving around downtown Chicago. The standard 17-inchers will be ample for street driving, and you won't have expensive bent rims every month.

    The Quattro TT would be a great winter car for anything other than snowdrifts.
     
  17. badges2

    badges2 Formula 3

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    #17 badges2, Aug 30, 2009
    'Tis the season Mike! Hopefully we'll both figure out which direction we go! Life is too short to let Chicago winters dictate which car I'm gonna enjoy year-round though!!
     
  18. spike308

    spike308 F1 Rookie
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    #18 spike308, Aug 30, 2009
    I was gonna get a S5, but they just will not deal on them... used ones too!
    So then, logically... why not get a 911 for that kind of money?
    Way I see it, I'm a car guy... every car guy has to own a 911 at some point!
     
  19. amenasce

    amenasce Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #19 amenasce, Aug 30, 2009
    Nop im still on summer tyres but i enjoyed the challenge :). I might put snow tires on this year if i keep it.
     
  20. Imola82

    Imola82 Formula Junior

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    #20 Imola82, Aug 31, 2009
    My Folks live in Northbrook. My mom has a 2006 Boxster, not All Wheel Drive, obviously. It's her dd all year. She has easily survived the last few winters with the snow tires. I have driven her car several times over the last few winters in the worst conditions and no problems. I would imagine a C4 would be even better, add snow tires though.
     

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