[denverpete]

Jim brings up a good point regarding tire width. Any vehicle with wide tires is at a disadvantage when dealing with rain or snow.

Big fat wide tires on SUVs, while cool looking and extremely popular, are actually counter-productive in the snow (not our current topic). Not only is your lb/sq in decreased, but they also have a tendancy to "track" or follow grooves in the snow. If pushing a new path they will also wander as slight variations in direction cause snow to build up on one side of the tire.

I agree that the Porsche is primarily a "fair-weathered" vehicle. But it is most definately capable (and perfectly happy) to take be a nearly all-weather vehicle. As with any vehicle, it should not be driven beyond it's capabilities. With the first snow storm in Denver I took my Boxster into a parking lot to test starting, stopping, and turning abilities. With the stock tires it was horrendous. After switching to snow tires, I again tested it in a snow storm and found it had greatly improved. Note that I said improved - it's still requires careful throttle application, steering, and braking. I also performed the same actions in the rain. With the knowledge gained from that testing I now know what it can and cannot do along with the warning signs and reprecussions of what happens if pushed too far.