Anybody run a 996 GT2 as a daily driver; suicidal in winter?

[mondie]

Would this be do-able in NE Scotland or is it just going to lead to an inevitable date with a stone wall? Of course I would run winter tyres but still, is it just too much? Done a lot of reading on the GT2's handling characteristics and there is such a wide range of opinion I just had to ask. I would so love a GT2 and will only do about 5000 miles a year as she will be a second car BUT I fear I need to go for a TT.

Cheers
Simon

[supermono]

Can you get 315 winter tyres? If you can I suppose it's doable but I really wouldn't want to have to rely on a wide-tyred RWD supercar through a Scottish winter.

But I like your attitude

SM

[FactoryPilot]

I used to run a 997 GT2 everyday - even in Winter with no massive probs.

I think there were only 2 weeks that I just couldn't even get it out of my garage due to snow. But other than snow, as long as you are not completely mental, you should be able to use it all year round. Although, when it is freezing cold, icy, dark, etc, I think it would probably be quicker cross-country being in a 1.1 Fiesta....

[SpeedFreakDave]

Its a great car for everyday. The only one thig I would say is I wouldn't take it out in the ice and snow. Its not so much the power but more the masssive tyres - you will see the grip slip easily. They are not scarey cars, only scarey for crap drivers. That is just a fact, in my opinion. Just don't pin the throttle on a bend in the wet and you will be fine. Mind you, a little bit of oversteer can be fun.

Good luck finding one. I have one for over 7 years so that must be quite telling that I love the car!

Dave

[Guyr]

I had a 996GT2 for 6 years, running 630bhp by Ruf for many years, and only ever fitted with track tyres. It was driven in all conditions other than snow, though not as a daily driver.

The simple fact is that whilst a GT2 requires skill, care and nerve when driven hard, if you keep it off-boost then it's no different to driving a base model C2. Obviously if you expect to use it daily in rain and/or snow then tyres are the key and for winter you'd want to run much narrower winter rubber, ideally on a second set of narrower wheels. Any properly tyre-shod 911 has fantastic grip in the snow, due to the weight distribution of 2/3rds over the back wheels.

[Slippydiff]

Guyr said:

If you keep it off-boost then it's no different to driving a base model C2.

Perfectly put Guy (and they're still quick stroked along with no boost)

Guyr said:

Obviously if you expect to use it daily in rain and/or snow then tyres are the key and for winter you'd want to run much narrower winter rubber, ideally on a second set of narrower wheels.

I'd get a set of Turbo rims and fit the recommended winter tyre sizes for the Turbo.

In addition I'd get any 996/7 GT car you're planning on using through the winter, thoroughly steam cleaned underneath, and waxed everywhere now. The floorpan, engine and transmission cases, suspension arms and uprights, crossmembers etc, etc, all need a copious layer of protectant These cars had little or nothing in the way of protection from the factory, as a result a winter spent using the car on wet, salt-laden roads will reduce anything alloy to aluminium oxide. It looks awful and makes any future maintenance all the more hard.

[monthefish]

I'm sure it could be done safely enough with care, but would you not get a bit frustrated having to tiptoe everywhere, and not be able to use anything of the car's performance for most of the time?



[From another thread, a 997 GT2 on cup tyres]

6C4GTS said:

twoblacklines said:

Just a general question really. I know the 996 GT3 is known to be hard to drive, is the same to be said of the GT2 as apposed to a TT which can be driven hard by virtually anyone ?

I'm sure he'll be along soon but ask 993Al - from memory even in the snow on Cup tyres he returned to his other half after our Scotland PH Christmas Run - so widowmaker no - a challenge possibly but defo quite a drive.

Even my 996 turbo doesn't do much winter running as it can still be a bit frisky when conditions are bad and grip is low.

Edited by monthefish on Friday 7th September 10:45

[JDH1]

I've had two...well the same one twice but that's another story. I wouldn't personally want to run one through a winter, but I wouldn't choose to run a Carrera 2 through a winter either. The point is, I don't think it would make a great deal of difference whether it's a GT2 or a Carrera, so if you'd drive a Carrera, no reason not to have a GT2. As others have said, if you drive it off boost, it's no more tricky than any other 911.

[RWD cossie wil]

It's the same as any RWD car in low grip on normal tyres, abuse it & you will get the back end lively.

For the few weeks it snows just buy a banger, much more fun, probably far cheaper than a set of winter Tyres & wheels, and it does not matter if you prang it! Use of the emergency oversteer lever may increase the chances of this!

[james S]

I found mine remarkably civilised off boost. If you are disciplined the power isn't a real issue in normal driving. I drove through winter, the only problem I had was cold tyres on cold days, when you do have to take care.

I’ve sold mine, not because it was too much for every but just because it wasn’t what I wanted for the rare occasions I really got to go for a drive.

Amazing cars, but not something I’m confident enough in when pressing on, which to be fair is my fault, not the cars.

[SimonRS]

I drove my 996 GT2 through the winter including in snow.

Care required, but no reason not to do it.

[Junior Bianno]

JDH1 said:

I wouldn't choose to run a Carrera 2 through a winter either.

That's bonkers. I've done the last 4 winters in a 997 Carrera 2s, on normal tyres, with no problems at all. Just be careful on the rare occasions that the roads are very slippy, and drive to the conditions (much the same as you would in any other car). ...and that's in Scotland where the weather can be a bit changeable.

[james S]

However its not a car I would enjoy having to rely on every day, as its not an ideal choice for much of the driving I have to do.

Personally I'd buy an old snotter to run alongside it or somehting better if you can afford it. The money saved on servicing, wear and tear and insurance will more than pay for the same items on a 10 year old Golf or something similar.

To be honest, in the depths of winter or when its lashing it down with rain, you'll probably be happier in the Golf anyway

Edited by james S on Friday 7th September 16:51

[SimonRS]

Junior Bianno said:

JDH1 said:

I wouldn't choose to run a Carrera 2 through a winter either.

That's bonkers. I've done the last 4 winters in a 997 Carrera 2s, on normal tyres, with no problems at all. Just be careful on the rare occasions that the roads are very slippy, and drive to the conditions (much the same as you would in any other car). ...and that's in Scotland where the weather can be a bit changeable.

If you read the whole post it makes perfect sense.

I wouldn't run my RS in the winter, not because it's not suitable, but because I'm 40, and frankly I'd prefer to jump in my X5. Ten years ago I wouldn't have hesitated. The point was if you can stomach a 911 in the winter, a GT2 should be no less appropriate.

[Guyr]

SimonRS said:

The point was if you can stomach a 911 in the winter, a GT2 should be no less appropriate.

Exactly, my point as well.

The simple reality is that anyone who can afford to run a GT2 can also run a far more suitable alternative car in winter. When they walk out and are faced with the choice, they'll then choose to take the easier more comfortable, less valuable one when conditions are bad.

[Raitzi]

supermono said:

Can you get 315 winter tyres?

SM

Winter tyres are should be skinny and with good studs. Anything wider than 240 is asking for trouble.

[mollytherocker]

Any car is suicidal in winter if driven in a suicidal manner.

MTR

[RatBoy M3CSL]

..All of the above, you can drive whatever you want thro' the winter, but the question should really be is it a smart idea to..?, personally I wouldn't even think about it, why the hell would you want to risk throwing a GT2 in the hedge on a frosty or snowy day, if you have a choice of cars to use..?, it a stupid thing to do isn't it..? horses for courses, 4*4 or skinny tyres for snow, sports cars for warmer weather and warmer tarmac..!

[mondie]

Thanks for the replys, the overall response was more positive than I expected We will have an M5 on winter tyres for main DD duties, the 911 will be a second car only. My original idea was a 911TT but the GT2 is so alluring so I had to ask. Its a way of having my second car without having to have a weekend warrior (3rd car) which If I bought a 911TT I would still be tempted to do. Car will only do <5000 miles a year and use in winter would be pretty minimal but it would have to be used and be safe enough for my wife to use.

Can a GT2 be programmed with two ECU tunes that can be changed with a switch? Could have a low torque winter tune installed to go along with winter tyres.

Cheers for all the replies.
Simon

[JDH1]

mondie said:

Thanks for the replys, the overall response was more positive than I expected We will have an M5 on winter tyres for main DD duties, the 911 will be a second car only. My original idea was a 911TT but the GT2 is so alluring so I had to ask. Its a way of having my second car without having to have a weekend warrior (3rd car) which If I bought a 911TT I would still be tempted to do. Car will only do <5000 miles a year and use in winter would be pretty minimal but it would have to be used and be safe enough for my wife to use.

Can a GT2 be programmed with two ECU tunes that can be changed with a switch? Could have a low torque winter tune installed to go along with winter tyres.

Cheers for all the replies.
Simon

I'm not sure whether that is possible, but it sounds expensive. A lighter right foot would probably work equally well and be a lot cheaper.