“My wife says porsche …no question about it.”

Going up steep icy grades or plowing though deep snow isn’t a problem. I’ve never gotten stuck. Where I like the Pirelli better is in changing conditions. I’m commuting up and down the mountains between Denver and ski country. Going from a blizzard to 70s and sunny isn’t uncommon. Coming down the twisty mountain road the Pirelli seems to handle better in cold, dry conditions. The other winter tires I’ve tried feel a bit “squishy” when I pushed hard and they can wear out in a hurry.

Realistically I’m not pushing things to the limit like the tire testers so a few percentage better performance in one category than another isn’t perceivable. At least not by me. If I lived in the mountains, or someplace like Chicago or Hoth, when is cold and snowy all season, I’d go for the Alpins. Because I transition between fall to winter to spring all in one day I stuck with the Sottozeros.

I just had my Annus Horribilis. My Carrera 4S had four visits to the shop. The first was new front brake rotors, new clutch, new flywheel, and new shifter cable ends: $6,000. Not really unexpected maintenance but a bill to shake you out of your routine.

The last three was chasing a ghost oil pressure problem. It included replacing the oil pressure sensor, a lifter replacement, and finally an oil pump regulating valve: $5400.

I also picked up a nail along the way so a fifth visit to the tire store. Too much wear to replace just one so $800.

Not really a maintenance item but Pirelli stopped making winter tires for my 18 inch wheels. So four new 19 inch wheels and four new Pirelli 19 inch Sottozeros. $5,000.

So only $5400 in unexpected maintenance but getting on a bad streak can get pretty bad. At my lowest points I considered a Toyota.