Cab or Coupe

[BermyAndy]

Hi guys,

This is my first post on here, but as with most people, i've been reading most of the threads. Im about to enter the world of porsche, but wondered if I could pick your brains for a while...

Im definitely after a 996 c2, but what im not sure about is whether to get the coupe, or the cabriolet?

Apart from the stiffness issues of owning the cabriolet, is there anything else i should be aware of? Will kids try and spit in the car, or slash the roof?! Should i just go with a targa instead and be safe?

Any views or experience greatly appreciated..

cheers

Andy

[mbutchers]

I've got an 03 C2 Cab - previously owned Csl, GT2, C4S etc....have always been a coupe man...vowed never to get one of those 'poseur' cabs....that was until I got fed up with not being able to use these 'proper' drivers cars on the roads to the full. In came the Cab - and I must say I'm loving it - it's very versatile, fantastic with the roof down (probably makes you drive slower too) Can't recommend one enough.....

[singh911]

The enthusiastic driver and trackday addict in me would say coupe.

Having said that, on a warm summer's evening last yr, I was really envious of the gorgeous 993 Cabrio (roof down) cruising through Piccadilly Circus....

Ajit.

[D3DED]

fella, rather than thinking poseur think; one of if not the ultimate four seat soft top options that does'nt look like the 'golf club' car!

I faced this issue last year and went tith my heart and got a tip 4 cab (diehards turning in their graves!)and haven't regretted it for a single minute!

You will need to upgrade the stereo though!

Ensure you get one with a hardtop for winter use or extended outdoor standing and youget the best of both worlds.

Deano

[Andy_Clap]

Targa mate.
I almost went down the Cab route, would have been the proud owner now if the HPI check had been okay, but soooo glad I ended up with the Targa.
Looks and security of the Coupe, fun of the Cab.

Andy

www.porsche-993-targa.prentisit.com/porsche-993-targa/index.htm

[marki]

singh911 said:

The enthusiastic driver and trackday addict in me would say coupe. Having said that, on a warm summer's evening last yr, I was really envious of the gorgeous 993 Cabrio (roof down) cruising through Piccadilly Circus.... Ajit.

I would always go the cab route

[mikeg996]

I bought a coupe (without even a sunroof) and I'm delighted with it. The rear-end of the cab looks fat to me. Cruising through Picadilly with the roof down? Not really my style, know what I mean guv?

[BermyAndy]

I'm pretty unlikely to be getting on a track to be fair, and the majority of its use could be quite fun with the roof down... so definitely being thrown to the cab.

But it will be left outside all the time, and the doris would kill me if i try and hide a roof under the bed..

I'm assuming bird crap on a cab soft roof is not ideal?

Has anyone had any crime issues with the soft top?

targa is looking attractive!

[sidicks]

Well a lot is written about the rigity of a Coupe versus the Cab,and while I don't doubt that at ten-tenths with an experienced driver on a track, the Coupe will handle better. However, for most drivers, in real world conditions I doubt there is much to choose between the two from a focussed driving perspective.

To my mind the decision is more about personality - I'm very proud of the car I own - but to me driving around with the rook down is very 'in-your-face', and not me at all.

Each to their own, though.

Sidicks

[BliarOut]

BermyAndy said:

I'm assuming bird crap on a cab soft roof is not ideal?

Clean it off if it gets on there then. It would damage paintwork just as much as it would the soft top if you leave it. If you do go for a cab, get the wind deflector. I've found it's quite a bit windier in the 996 than it was in the Boxster.

Cue the hairdresser jokes

[mbutchers]

Andy_Clap said:

Targa mate. I almost went down the Cab route, would have been the proud owner now if the HPI check had been okay, but soooo glad I ended up with the Targa. Looks and security of the Coupe, fun of the Cab. Andy www.porsche-993-targa.prentisit.com/porsche-993-targa/index.htm

Andy - no amount of plugging is gonna keep the residuals up.....

[mbutchers]

BermyAndy said:

I'm assuming bird crap on a cab soft roof is not ideal? Has anyone had any crime issues with the soft top? targa is looking attractive!

Bird crap on the soft top will do less damage than on paint if you leave it...... As for crime issues, it depend on the area / where it's gonna be left etc.... I think all the later Cabs come with the hard top as standard, mines never been on, but you'll need somewhere to store it...... Go on, get the Cab you know it's sooo much nicer than the Targa....... What kind of budget do you have - if you don't mind me asking..?

[BermyAndy]

Budget wise im in the 40-50 range, but largely driven by insurance (only 25 with 1 years no claim..), so the turbo is certainly out!

I like the idea of the hard top for winter and general peace of mind, but where to store it when its off is a problem. I dont have a garage, so need to hard top - but dont really have anywhere to store it. From looking at one at lunch, they would appear to stand about 5 foot and 2 foot or so wide once on a stand - does this sound right?

And i see sidicks views of the 'in your face' look. But i love the look of a 996 with the roof down...

[Andy_Clap]

mbutchers said:

Andy - no amount of plugging is gonna keep the residuals up.....

LOL Damn, saw through my cunning plan!!

But seriously, the Targa roof is sooo cool, very James Bond, no hard top to store, and you can have the roof "off" without looking like a poser (just looks like an enclosed Coupe from the side).

By the way, if you have a Cab with a wind deflector, forget having the kids in the back with the roof down, no room.

[BermyAndy]

So if the cab is not ideal for kids, could i use it as another excuse put off the whole marriage commitment thing women seem so keen on?

[BliarOut]

Andy_Clap said:

By the way, if you have a Cab with a wind deflector, forget having the kids in the back with the roof down, no room.

Then leave the kids at home

I think the wind deflector folds and stores in the boot, doesn't it?

[sidicks]

BermyAndy said:

Budget wise im in the 40-50 range, but largely driven by insurance (only 25 with 1 years no claim..), so the turbo is certainly out!

Surely a £50k Porsche 911 Cab, to a 25-year old with 1-year NCB is going to cost £5k p.a. to ensure ???

sidicks

>> Edited by sidicks on Friday 3rd February 16:03

[mbutchers]

Don't agree with 'in yer face looks' at all - I think the standard Cab is very subtle - mines Basalt black with carrera alloys and looks very understated.. IMO....
Problem with putting the hardtop on in the winter, is that there are so many nice days when you can get the roof down.... Took one of the kids out last sunday - only 5 degrees, but great with the heater on and wrapped up...... The hardtop takes up about 5 1/2 x 4 x 2 feet, so is quite big.... To me, even though the Targa is a nice car, you can't get the same feeling as when all the windows are down and nothing but the w/sceen around you. I'd get the Cab, and put the top in storage - the soft top is very secure, is operable up to 30mph, and has a glass heated rear screen. You'll get a nice 03 car from a dealer for your budget.

[Andy_Clap]

BliarOut said:

I think the wind deflector folds and stores in the boot, doesn't it?

I can only speak of the 993 Cabs I looked at, the wind deflector on those seemed to be permanently attached and folded flat against the top of the roof when the roof was up. Quite willing to be contradicted though as I don't know if it detaches easily for sure.

[mbutchers]

Thought about the wind deflector, but don't feel that it's needed - if it's too breezy, then putting the front windows up does the job well enough......