[Help] Fun or Practical, I can't decide!

[Rivercrab]

Hi everyone,

Hope you all had a nice thanksgiving break!
Been trying to change car for last weeks, got caught in a dilemma and can’t decide which option to choose, seeking for help!

I’m based in Chicago, so cold weather and snow are expected for several months each year. Here's my situation:

General Background:

• Me: Recently started a new job that requires a daily commute of 30 miles each way. I was previously working remotely, so this change has made me consider a new car.
• Wife: Works 100% remotely and mostly drives for short trips like picking up our kid, going to the gym, or grocery shopping.

Currently, we have two cars:

• A Macan GTS (in great condition, purchased new 6 years ago and well-loved, 30K miles.).
• A very old Jeep, which still works but is due for a replacement.

Options I'm Considering:

1. Option A: Trade the Jeep for a used Taycan (2022 MY, 4S or GTS) and use it as my daily commuter.
2. Option B: Trade the Jeep for a Grand Cherokee L (6-seater) for more practicality, especially when our parents visit (which is rare). It would also provide better ground clearance for Chicago winters.
3. Option C: Trade in both the Jeep and the Macan to get a Taycan + Grand Cherokee L combo.

I’m not certain about Option C because it feels like too much change and hassle in a short time, it might be a long-term goal but probably not today.

My Thoughts:

• Taycan:
  • I’ve test-driven a few, and they’re incredibly fun. I love them, and they feel like the "choice by heart."
  • It would make the commute more enjoyable and feels like a "fresh start" with my new role.
  • However, I’m concerned about keeping two high-maintenance cars (Macan + Taycan) and the practicality for Chicago winters. Both are low ground clearance, performance-focused vehicles, and neither seems ideal for snow or challenging weather.
• Grand Cherokee L:
  • It's the practical choice for family needs, with excellent ground clearance for winter.
  • It’s spacious for trips or when parents visit and cheaper overall to maintain.
  • On the downside, it’s not exciting to drive at all.

After reading this forum, I’ve noticed some concerns about Taycan reliability and potential winter challenges. I’ve never owned a low-ground-clearance car for long enough nor driven an EV through a harsh Chicago winter, so I’m unsure how it would handle these conditions. My new office only has outdoor parking.

Seeking Your Advice:
I’d appreciate any general advice or suggestions and specific input on the following:

• Reliability: Are there significant concerns I should be aware of for a used 2022 Taycan?
• Ground Clearance: Is the Taycan practical for Chicago winters, given its low height?
• EV Winter Performance: Does an EV really handle winter starting better than gas cars? How does outdoor parking in the cold affect its performance?

Thank you all! Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

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[Jasper4S]

Reliability: buy CPO. Don’t worry too much. This forum is the place where you create an account when yours has issues or have questions. So the amount of issues discussed here does not reflect the real world at all.
Ground clearance: As European, can’t answer it for you.
EV Winter: you’ll lose some range, with proper tires and rims there is nothing to worry about.

 

[W1NGE]

Hi everyone,

Hope you all had a nice thanksgiving break!
Been trying to change car for last weeks, got caught in a dilemma and can’t decide which option to choose, seeking for help!

I’m based in Chicago, so cold weather and snow are expected for several months each year. Here's my situation:

General Background:

• Me: Recently started a new job that requires a daily commute of 30 miles each way. I was previously working remotely, so this change has made me consider a new car.
• Wife: Works 100% remotely and mostly drives for short trips like picking up our kid, going to the gym, or grocery shopping.

Currently, we have two cars:

• A Macan GTS (in great condition, purchased new 6 years ago and well-loved, 30K miles.).
• A very old Jeep, which still works but is due for a replacement.

Options I'm Considering:

1. Option A: Trade the Jeep for a used Taycan (2022 MY, 4S or GTS) and use it as my daily commuter.
2. Option B: Trade the Jeep for a Grand Cherokee L (6-seater) for more practicality, especially when our parents visit (which is rare). It would also provide better ground clearance for Chicago winters.
3. Option C: Trade in both the Jeep and the Macan to get a Taycan + Grand Cherokee L combo.

I’m not certain about Option C because it feels like too much change and hassle in a short time, it might be a long-term goal but probably not today.

My Thoughts:

• Taycan:
  • I’ve test-driven a few, and they’re incredibly fun. I love them, and they feel like the "choice by heart."
  • It would make the commute more enjoyable and feels like a "fresh start" with my new role.
  • However, I’m concerned about keeping two high-maintenance cars (Macan + Taycan) and the practicality for Chicago winters. Both are low ground clearance, performance-focused vehicles, and neither seems ideal for snow or challenging weather.
• Grand Cherokee L:
  • It's the practical choice for family needs, with excellent ground clearance for winter.
  • It’s spacious for trips or when parents visit and cheaper overall to maintain.
  • On the downside, it’s not exciting to drive at all.

After reading this forum, I’ve noticed some concerns about Taycan reliability and potential winter challenges. I’ve never owned a low-ground-clearance car for long enough nor driven an EV through a harsh Chicago winter, so I’m unsure how it would handle these conditions. My new office only has outdoor parking.

Seeking Your Advice:
I’d appreciate any general advice or suggestions and specific input on the following:

• Reliability: Are there significant concerns I should be aware of for a used 2022 Taycan?
• Ground Clearance: Is the Taycan practical for Chicago winters, given its low height?
• EV Winter Performance: Does an EV really handle winter starting better than gas cars? How does outdoor parking in the cold affect its performance?

Thank you all! Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Mscan EV should be in your mix.

Neither of the Porsche options are high maintenance - service intervals are 2 years.

Cold weather only impairs range and not performance per se.

Skip Taycan J1.1 and look at J1.2 or Macan EV both with larger batteries for added range.

 

[Grim]

If want a bit more ground clearance in Taycan package you could consider the CT.

The Taycan is super popular in Norway and they know a thing or two about snow …

 

[rim23]

If want a bit more ground clearance in Taycan package you could consider the CT.

The Taycan is super popular in Norway and they know a thing or two about snow …

Never had a problem with clearance in Finland as well

 

[or1]

I won't comment on reliability, other than to say that mine has been reliable.
Regarding winter: as a Norwegian I have some experience with snow and ice. Ground clearance has not been a real problem with my ST (Sport Turismo), and it would be even less so with a CT. The range suffers for an EV, true, but with your commute distance it should be no problem at all. And apart from range, there are mostly advantages with an EV. Easier to preheat, immediate full cabin heating effect without engine warmup, no true cold engine starts, no fuel fill-ups out in the biting cold (provided you charge at home in a garage). And better electronic control of the motors to keep going on slippery roads I think.

 

[Caraholic]

Option A or C.

 

[daveo4EV]

option "a" - 30/60 miles day - even 100 miles day is no problem for Taycan - and the convenience of home charging (car is full every morning - well 80%) will win you over - setup some pre-conditioning so it's warm/ready while plugged in and you're good to go - you can leave an EV "running" in the garage all morning without worry of CO poisoning…

consider an ST/CT for the greater clearance and a 4S/GTS/Turbo - J1.2 is better than J1

for the "rare" times you need "more" car for passengers I'd suggest you're better off renting a 3 row SUV - vs. driving one around empty 99.287% of the time…but that's just my perspective...

the Macan EV Turbo is also a compelling option - I recently moved from 2020 taycan turbo to the Macan Turbo EV - no regrets - it's a nifty little EV package - plenty of spunk and better ground clearance and easier ingress/egress, higher seating position - about the same cargo as Taycan CT, and better back seat leg room/head-room…

EV is no problem for short winter drive (150-180 miles/day) and with in garage home charging actually better than gas for the morning pre-condition - over 200 miles with an EV in deep cold conditions is where things become dicy - but that's just a matter of going in "eyes open" and knowing what you're doing, but then even that can work - I've done it…less than 180 miles/day and good home charging and driving an EV is more convenient than gas car due to home charging and honestly zero issues!

also AWD dual motor traction with flawless traction control is a thing of beauty for snow drives - EV motors and their linear torque and smooth power application are a joy to drive in snowy conditions - less maintenance also…Norway (as noted in this thread) is all in on EV's and so far they do great - other than the well understood range impact from colder conditions - mechanically they are more tolerate of cold conditions with less to go wrong and better drive trains for those sorts of road conditions…

good news - however - after "suffering" with EV range in the cold - spring/summer/fall driving the range is fantastic vs. what you're used to - and more than enough year round daily driver duty and even the occassional "bigger range" day.

good luck!

 

[daveo4EV]

option "d"

• Taycan GTS/CT/ST for yourself
• Macan Turbo EV or Cayenne eHybrid

don't look back - you'll be fine.

Rent a Jeep Grand touring L when you need one (rarely)

consult this forum, myself, or others for a killer multi-EV charging setup and you'll never go back.

 

[daveo4EV]

I see the following progression:

• start with Taycan - you'll love it - get good home charging setup
• keep the Macan - but it's "next" up for replacement
• rent "bigger" cars for rare time you need them
• transition the Macan ICE to a Cayenne Hybrid (your wife will love it, mine does) - best of both worlds, but can still do long range "gas car duty" and is very practical
• keep your Eye on the Cayenne EV that Porsche has announced
• eventually become a dual EV family - with the hybrid easing the transition (it's still a gas car, but can do EV dutry for the daily errands - I got 1,800 miles on my last hybrid tank of gas with EV only errands for 3 months)

after a full EV and Hybrid for couple-few years the transition to full EV will be easy, painless, and done with a lot of confidence.

 

[Johan Meert]

Outside parking in winter is no issue for an EV. You can preheat the car from your office and step into a warm car, can't do that with an ICE. Same in summer but pre-cooled.
Get a used Cross Turismo for additional ground clearance, of course with running/extended factory warranty.

 

[CraigUrch]

I live just outside Rochester NY and daily drive my Taycan year round. No issues in the winter just make sure you have the proper tires on it (not summer tires) in the winter. Never had an issue with ground clearance, I have 20 inch rims which helps with the pot holes we get. My bigger concern would be, can you set up a level 2 home charger? If so you will be fine if not then need to consider how you will charge the car. My car a 2023 ST GTS has been very reliable for going on 2 years and 11k miles. Good luck with your choice.

 

[DavidD]

Hi Rivercrab,

I live up in Highland Park and love my 2022 CT. I purchased the car lightly used and got a good discount. I commute 35 miles round trip daily, garage my car overnight but leave it outside during the day.

I have had zero issues with the car, except for warranty work. I drove last winter on all-season tires without much difficulty -- ground clearance was never an issue. Admittedly we didn't get much snow last year but the car handled whatever we did get. I switched this winter to snow tires and so far I love how the car handles the early winter chill. Still waiting, though not rooting for, for significant snow. My range (a mix of highway and suburban streets) is about 270 miles in the summer and 200 in the winter. (My old Tesla S never did 200 in the winter.) And in the winter I always preheat the car before leaving my office.

The CT is great fun, very practical, and thus far has handled everything Chicago winters can throw at it. What is not to like?

If you live nearby, I would be happy to take you for a spin!

 

[KLHubb]

I have a 2020 4S which I have driven for four years year round....no problems, save being occasionally snowed in...see the attached.
I love my Taycan, and will keep it for a very long time, at least until the next generation arrives or I trade for a Cayman E

 

[Rivercrab]

I see the following progression:

• start with Taycan - you'll love it - get good home charging setup
• keep the Macan - but it's "next" up for replacement
• rent "bigger" cars for rare time you need them
• transition the Macan ICE to a Cayenne Hybrid (your wife will love it, mine does) - best of both worlds, but can still do long range "gas car duty" and is very practical
• keep your Eye on the Cayenne EV that Porsche has announced
• eventually become a dual EV family - with the hybrid easing the transition (it's still a gas car, but can do EV dutry for the daily errands - I got 1,800 miles on my last hybrid tank of gas with EV only errands for 3 months)

after a full EV and Hybrid for couple-few years the transition to full EV will be easy, painless, and done with a lot of confidence.

Thanks!
That's very similar to what I am thinking for long run, although I might not exactly replace Macan ICE for Cayenne. It's pretty much because at this stage of my life, I haven't see the exact value of Cayenne yet, it seems still fails to cover the 5 people/6 people travel scenario although it's indeed bigger.

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