Planet 9

Karnidge · #1 08-12-2008, 02:42 PM

I just posted in the General Chat forum, but wanted to drop down here and say hello as well. I am a new Cayman S owner from the Chicago-land area. I just picked her up Saturday from Motorwerks of Barrington. Very pleased so far. Wish my wife felt the same way, haha. I was driving an Infiniti G35x and now I am driving a 2 seat, 6-speed, sports car... so yea, she's not as thrilled as I am. We have a 3 and 1/2 year old daughter too, so that probably has something to do with it. hehe.

I was wondering, do most of you drive your car year round or is it simply a 2nd car for you? I am trying to prepare for the winter season. I owned a few RWD cars in the past (Mustang GT, G35 coupe) and they were decent with snow tires, but not great. I was thinking of just picking up a POS for the winter to get me back and forth to work... but then I saw a few threads from Cayman owners who actually drive in the winter. Was wondering what some other fellow Chicago area drivers thought?

Also, has anyone had the child safety LATCH system thingy installed? Does anyone even drive around with children in their Cayman? I really dont want to drop another 800 bucks on a LATCH system after dropping a big pile of cash on the car already, hehe. I was wondering if anyone just rolls with a normal child seat and the built-in airbag sensor thingy, that turns off the airbags when under 50-60 lbs.

Well, thanks for your time. I look forward to reading through your forums.

**heckler** · #2 08-13-2008, 08:35 AM

Welcome to the area and congrats on the new car. I'm getting ready to leave the area, but feel I can help you with the winter question. I drove my car year round and to me it did fine in the snow. I had a set of Blizzaks (I just sold them) and between them, the nature of the car, and the computer nannies the car was quite drivable. If there was more than a few inches of snow I would try and wait until the plow tracks had been through, but there were a few times I had couldn't wait for the trucks and the car still did fine. As long as you aren't out on the roads on days that no one really should be out the car the car will do fine.

**wonyoung40** · #3 08-23-2008, 12:49 PM

Hi guys! I am a new owner too.

Your car was on my watch list for a month and I decided to get a new car instead.

I have exactly same concern as you do as far as winter driving goes, and thinking of getting a set of 17" for a winter wheel.

Anyway congrats on your purchase!

**KS-CS** · #4 08-23-2008, 04:19 PM

Congrats and Welcome!

I drive my CS thru the winter in Kansas on winter tires - on plowed/packed snow roads it feels only slightly less secure than my AWD Subarus were. With its low center of gravity, steering response, PSM, etc., I actually feel more secure driving it under those conditions than my 4WD Expedition. As noted above, the only exception is deep snow where ground clearance is an issue.

Just wish I had heated seats . . .

**Rpryan55** · #5 08-24-2008, 08:23 AM

Welcome - First, you should join Zone 13, since you live here. Just go to User CP on the upper left side of this page, click on it and scroll down the left side to Group Memberships, click on that and choose Zone 13 to join.

Now, about winter driving - with winter tires (I use Michelin Alpines), the Cayman is about as good a winter car as I've experienced. Remember, Porsche tests these cars for their performance in snow - and, as good a racing platform as they are, they are designed to be daily drivers as well. It is their incredible utility that's what seperates the Porsche from garage queen brands. You've made a great choice, and your wife will get over it (jewelry helps) - the only problem will be your incredible and increasing urge to get in the Cayman and drive.

Karnidge · #6 08-24-2008, 08:48 PM

Thanks for the warm welcome. I will make sure I sign up for the Zone 13 group thingy. After a few weeks I am still madly in love with my car. I think about her more then my wife now.