997 Gen 2 hardtop or cab

[Ulsterman]

hi new to this porsche gig and thinking of getting involved...looking at gen 2 997 but and advice on pros/cons of a cab versus a hardtop would be very much appreciated. looking at these two in particular - thanks in advance

https://www.rsjsportscars.co.uk/porsche_for_sale/p...

https://www.portiacraft.com/car-detail.php?id=2757

[tbv]

I really don't like the look of the cabs, look ok when tops down, but for this country it wont get enough use down for the ugly trade off,
that's my thoughts on the matter for what its worth, the hard top looks sweet

[Ulsterman]

cheers i know what you mean - bit different if your cruising down a Californian highway...!

[markiii]

relative looks and performance is subjective but.....

don't underestimate how often the roof will be down, nothing like having the roof down on a cold winters day with the heated seats and heater on full blast

I'll even drive in snow and fog with the roof down

[tbv]

I saw a bloke in a convertible jag a few days ago with the roof down at 8am on what can only be described as a grim day, 2 things came to mind, poor blokes roofs stuck down, the other was, what a nob, would love to know his thought prosses when deciding weather or not to put his roof down,
each to there own though,

[Cheib]

markiii said:

relative looks and performance is subjective but.....

don't underestimate how often the roof will be down, nothing like having the roof down on a cold winters day with the heated seats and heater on full blast

I'll even drive in snow and fog with the roof down

I don’t think the performance difference is subjective...the coupe is the better car to drive. I think that’s the big issue whether you want to trade of the Bette dynamics for the soft top.

[David W.]

Ulsterman said:

hi new to this porsche gig and thinking of getting involved...looking at gen 2 997 but and advice on pros/cons of a cab versus a hardtop would be very much appreciated. looking at these two in particular - thanks in advance

https://www.rsjsportscars.co.uk/porsche_for_sale/p...

https://www.portiacraft.com/car-detail.php?id=2757

It’s been covered here, your choice.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by David W. on Wednesday 13th February 20:19

[SkinnyPete]

tbv said:

I saw a bloke in a convertible jag a few days ago with the roof down at 8am on what can only be described as a grim day, 2 things came to mind, poor blokes roofs stuck down, the other was, what a nob, would love to know his thought prosses when deciding weather or not to put his roof down,
each to there own though,

Whenever I've had a convertible I have the roof down even when its dark and cold out, not sure how that makes anyone a nob though.

[tbv]

why would you want your roof down when its dark and cold, I thought the idea of a convertible was for nice sunny and or warmer days, not just because you can no matter the weather,

[FalconWood]

I have a convertible and regularly drive with the top down in summer and winter. Love it. I also have a hard top and use that too.

[Chubbyross]

I’m a fan of cabs but the steering wheel PDK buttons would put me off. I believe the paddles can be retro fitted so that’s be the first job I’d do. RSJ’s cars are usually great. I’ve bought over the phone from them previously, and their car has the proper steering wheel. Tough choice.

See the previous thread on cabs. If you have the wind deflector you’ll be surprised at how often you’ll get the roof down. I was out and about in my one today: roof down, wind deflector up and seat heating on full. It was glorious!

[Ulsterman]

Thanks everyone for all the thoughts very much appreciated

[Ulsterman]

Chubbyross said:

I’m a fan of cabs but the steering wheel PDK buttons would put me off. I believe the paddles can be retro fitted so that’s be the first job I’d do. RSJ’s cars are usually great. I’ve bought over the phone from them previously, and their car has the proper steering wheel. Tough choice.

See the previous thread on cabs. If you have the wind deflector you’ll be surprised at how often you’ll get the roof down. I was out and about in my one today: roof down, wind deflector up and seat heating on full. It was glorious!

How did u find RSJ to deal with much room for movement on the price - my sense is the market is sluggish at the moment given what’s going on the world....

[markiii]

Cheib said:

markiii said:

relative looks and performance is subjective but.....

don't underestimate how often the roof will be down, nothing like having the roof down on a cold winters day with the heated seats and heater on full blast

I'll even drive in snow and fog with the roof down

I don’t think the performance difference is subjective...the coupe is the better car to drive. I think that’s the big issue whether you want to trade of the Bette dynamics for the soft top.

Subjective in that not everyone will feel it

[markiii]

tbv said:

why would you want your roof down when its dark and cold, I thought the idea of a convertible was for nice sunny and or warmer days, not just because you can no matter the weather,

Can't help what you think. Try it you might be surprised

[996TT02]

I'd take the cabrio, the boggo 997 is somewhat bland to look at and the rear end in profile is not exactly amazing to look at either, so the fact that the cab is not exactly pretty in the same spot is not such a big deal. A cab is always a bit more special to drive, especially at speeds where you will be doing 90% of your driving at. I can live with a slight lack of stiffness, which will only be apparent on bad roads.

[anonymous-user]

tbv said:

why would you want your roof down when its dark and cold, I thought the idea of a convertible was for nice sunny and or warmer days, not just because you can no matter the weather,

Because for those of us who love convertibles, it’s driving in the open air that’s important, not posing.

[Cheib]

markiii said:

Cheib said:

markiii said:

relative looks and performance is subjective but.....

don't underestimate how often the roof will be down, nothing like having the roof down on a cold winters day with the heated seats and heater on full blast

I'll even drive in snow and fog with the roof down

I don’t think the performance difference is subjective...the coupe is the better car to drive. I think that’s the big issue whether you want to trade of the Bette dynamics for the soft top.

Subjective in that not everyone will feel it

My wife wouldn’t but I reckon 95% of people on PH would.

[5STM5]

tbv said:

I really don't like the look of the cabs, look ok when tops down, but for this country it wont get enough use down for the ugly trade off,
that's my thoughts on the matter for what its worth, the hard top looks sweet

As a 996 cab owner I agree. With the roof up or hardtop on the car is ugly. I find plenty of days to drive roof down ( missus complains a lot ).

[Chubbyross]

Ulsterman said:

Chubbyross said:

I’m a fan of cabs but the steering wheel PDK buttons would put me off. I believe the paddles can be retro fitted so that’s be the first job I’d do. RSJ’s cars are usually great. I’ve bought over the phone from them previously, and their car has the proper steering wheel. Tough choice.

See the previous thread on cabs. If you have the wind deflector you’ll be surprised at how often you’ll get the roof down. I was out and about in my one today: roof down, wind deflector up and seat heating on full. It was glorious!

How did u find RSJ to deal with much room for movement on the price - my sense is the market is sluggish at the moment given what’s going on the world....

In my experience they don’t budge on price. Their cars are usually top condition and come with a pretty good warranty. Saying that, it’s always worth asking, especially given the market at the moment.