RE: Tell me I'm wrong: Porsche 911 Cabriolet
Discussion
Test drove a 997.2 C2S PDK Cab today. Was great, frankly. Much better than theZ4 I'm thinking it'll replace. It managed to sit at 80mph with no issues, went round corners nicely, had 4 seats (kinda) and was generally a lovely car. I can't think of a better 4 seater Porsche convertible - aside from the 991 which I've neither driven nor can afford.
Perhaps not the pure 911 experience, but good enough that unless a V8 Vantage Roadster is stupendously brilliant, a deal will be done.
Perhaps not the pure 911 experience, but good enough that unless a V8 Vantage Roadster is stupendously brilliant, a deal will be done.
See, now, us cab drivers are a uniquely lucky bunch.
We don't have to worry about forgetting to wear our Nomex underpants on the supermarket run.
We don't have people on the street pointing at us saying "There's one of those Captains of Industry/Powerfully Built Directors/Racing Drivers on their Day Off/Beautiful Svelte People driving their 911 Coupe, with it's manly, fixed racing car-type fixed roof"..
We get the joy of the wind blowing through our hair. Or combovers. Or across our scalps.
And for the most apart, because Porsches are men's cars, everyone realises that we cut men's hair. Wirey, bristlly hair, that blunts scissors, and jams clippers.
But the best of all? We get a real sense of speed with the roof down. We get to see the sky. Sometimes the stars. And we drive the car we want to drive. Not the car we think we should have to drive.
We don't have to worry about forgetting to wear our Nomex underpants on the supermarket run.
We don't have people on the street pointing at us saying "There's one of those Captains of Industry/Powerfully Built Directors/Racing Drivers on their Day Off/Beautiful Svelte People driving their 911 Coupe, with it's manly, fixed racing car-type fixed roof"..
We get the joy of the wind blowing through our hair. Or combovers. Or across our scalps.
And for the most apart, because Porsches are men's cars, everyone realises that we cut men's hair. Wirey, bristlly hair, that blunts scissors, and jams clippers.
But the best of all? We get a real sense of speed with the roof down. We get to see the sky. Sometimes the stars. And we drive the car we want to drive. Not the car we think we should have to drive.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 24th June 22:01
Greg66 said:
See, now, us cab drivers are a uniquely lucky bunch.
We don't have to worry about forgetting to wear our Nomex underpants on the supermarket run.
We don't have people on the street pointing at us saying "There's one of those Captains of Industry/Powerfully Built Directors/Racing Drivers on their Day Off/Beautiful Svelte People driving their 911 Coupe, with it's manly, fixed racing car-type fixed roof"..
We get the joy of the wind blowing through our hair. Or combovers. Or across our scalps.
And for the most apart, because Porsches are men's cars, everyone realises that we cut men's hair. Wirey, bristlly hair, that blunts scissors, and jams clippers.
But the best of all? We get a real sense of speed with the roof down. We get to see the sky. Sometimes the stars. And we drive the car we want to drive. Not the car we think we should have to drive.
Nice post We don't have to worry about forgetting to wear our Nomex underpants on the supermarket run.
We don't have people on the street pointing at us saying "There's one of those Captains of Industry/Powerfully Built Directors/Racing Drivers on their Day Off/Beautiful Svelte People driving their 911 Coupe, with it's manly, fixed racing car-type fixed roof"..
We get the joy of the wind blowing through our hair. Or combovers. Or across our scalps.
And for the most apart, because Porsches are men's cars, everyone realises that we cut men's hair. Wirey, bristlly hair, that blunts scissors, and jams clippers.
But the best of all? We get a real sense of speed with the roof down. We get to see the sky. Sometimes the stars. And we drive the car we want to drive. Not the car we think we should have to drive.
Edited by Greg66 on Sunday 24th June 22:01
I'm not worried what the the "enthusiasts" think - I've got a lovely car that gives me real pleasure even when I can't "press on" - gentle stuff is good with the roof down. Mind you, I only feel the wind on my scalp when the sun's not out - nothing worse than a burnt head...
Prof Beard said:
Greg66 said:
See, now, us cab drivers are a uniquely lucky bunch.
We don't have to worry about forgetting to wear our Nomex underpants on the supermarket run.
We don't have people on the street pointing at us saying "There's one of those Captains of Industry/Powerfully Built Directors/Racing Drivers on their Day Off/Beautiful Svelte People driving their 911 Coupe, with it's manly, fixed racing car-type fixed roof"..
We get the joy of the wind blowing through our hair. Or combovers. Or across our scalps.
And for the most apart, because Porsches are men's cars, everyone realises that we cut men's hair. Wirey, bristlly hair, that blunts scissors, and jams clippers.
But the best of all? We get a real sense of speed with the roof down. We get to see the sky. Sometimes the stars. And we drive the car we want to drive. Not the car we think we should have to drive.
Nice post We don't have to worry about forgetting to wear our Nomex underpants on the supermarket run.
We don't have people on the street pointing at us saying "There's one of those Captains of Industry/Powerfully Built Directors/Racing Drivers on their Day Off/Beautiful Svelte People driving their 911 Coupe, with it's manly, fixed racing car-type fixed roof"..
We get the joy of the wind blowing through our hair. Or combovers. Or across our scalps.
And for the most apart, because Porsches are men's cars, everyone realises that we cut men's hair. Wirey, bristlly hair, that blunts scissors, and jams clippers.
But the best of all? We get a real sense of speed with the roof down. We get to see the sky. Sometimes the stars. And we drive the car we want to drive. Not the car we think we should have to drive.
Edited by Greg66 on Sunday 24th June 22:01
I'm not worried what the the "enthusiasts" think - I've got a lovely car that gives me real pleasure even when I can't "press on" - gentle stuff is good with the roof down. Mind you, I only feel the wind on my scalp when the sun's not out - nothing worse than a burnt head...
I live in the tropics, its sunny 360 days a year.
Suddenly the Cab makes alot more sense, Its too hot when you get into the car, flip the roof and suddenly its perfect.
Sure beats waiting 5 minutes for the aircon to equalise or winding the windows down full to just push the hot air around inside!
In fact I dont have any plans to put the roof up until december when rain is due!
Suddenly the Cab makes alot more sense, Its too hot when you get into the car, flip the roof and suddenly its perfect.
Sure beats waiting 5 minutes for the aircon to equalise or winding the windows down full to just push the hot air around inside!
In fact I dont have any plans to put the roof up until december when rain is due!
ITS ABOUT TIME! I have been waiting a long time for the right story to come along to be able to give my opinion, or rather DIRECT OBSERVATION on the subject of drop top Porsches.... Alright, here goes!
I dont know how it is elsewhere but here in the U.S., I too have noticed the majority of Porsches being soft top, and you know what else I noticed about 99.9% of those?
THE TOPS ARE ALWAYS up!!! It can be the most picture perfect beautiful day (picture a perfect New York Autumn day) and every geezer with a silver 911 sporting black leather gloves that are perforated at the fingers never seem to be taking the lucky and grateful advantage of the fact they bought a drop top. And whats worse is that they even have the windows up! No doubt the aircon on its lowest setting, all the while I can imagine him listening to some horrendous AM business radio station.
Areas where it reaches REALLY hot and humid like Florida or even certain days in New York (like anywhere else) I can understand not using the drop top feature. But I witness this in times when the weather is perfect.
And before anyone accuses me of being a Porsche hater, simply put 'any drop top Corvette in the above story and its all the same.
Edited to add that the only Porsche owners I see more times than not with the top down are Boxster owners.
I dont know how it is elsewhere but here in the U.S., I too have noticed the majority of Porsches being soft top, and you know what else I noticed about 99.9% of those?
THE TOPS ARE ALWAYS up!!! It can be the most picture perfect beautiful day (picture a perfect New York Autumn day) and every geezer with a silver 911 sporting black leather gloves that are perforated at the fingers never seem to be taking the lucky and grateful advantage of the fact they bought a drop top. And whats worse is that they even have the windows up! No doubt the aircon on its lowest setting, all the while I can imagine him listening to some horrendous AM business radio station.
Areas where it reaches REALLY hot and humid like Florida or even certain days in New York (like anywhere else) I can understand not using the drop top feature. But I witness this in times when the weather is perfect.
And before anyone accuses me of being a Porsche hater, simply put 'any drop top Corvette in the above story and its all the same.
Edited to add that the only Porsche owners I see more times than not with the top down are Boxster owners.
Edited by ESOG on Tuesday 26th June 06:48
j911 said:
Had a 997 C2S coupe manual with sports chrono and now have a 997 C2S PDK Cab, I have tracked them both and honesty they are both as good as each other. PDK in Sport Plus is fantastically fast and ideal for track use and the fact that it is a cab doesn't seem to make any difference to the handling or the enjoyment. I swapped the manual coupe for the cab on a whim and I haven't regretted it for a moment. I ordered a 991 C2S but after a 48 hour test drive I really didn't like the steering or the increased refinement. There will be plenty of people who will disagree with me, but I paid my money and got what I wanted.
The Cab is great fun, looks great (in my opinion) and the difference in handling/ride compared to a coupe is so minute that I haven't noticed it.
Oh and by the way, I'm not into golf and I'm "only" 38!
The 997 was designed to be a cabriolet from the outset.
Absolutely agree. My 997 C2S was amazing car and, unless driving it at 10/10ths which I would suggest is nigh on impossible and also far from acceptable on public roads, you really wouldnt notice a difference between it and its roofed sibling. The huge advantage of open top 911 motoring was being able to enjoy the sound of the flat six through its PSE (sports exhaust) far better than the closed roof car and all whilst enjoying the other benefits of wind in your hair driving - for the doubters try an open top sports car over your favourite road on a summers morning - not worry about being in traffic as you can enjoy the sunshine etcThe Cab is great fun, looks great (in my opinion) and the difference in handling/ride compared to a coupe is so minute that I haven't noticed it.
Oh and by the way, I'm not into golf and I'm "only" 38!
The 997 was designed to be a cabriolet from the outset.
Yes the Boxster will do an excellent job too but there is something about the 911 and the way it drives that I find more involving than the Boxster - especially in its traction off the line and the way it feels coming out of tight corners.
I usually found during my ownership of that car that the people who mocked it hadnt ever driven a 997 let alone the cab - go figure.
My memories of driving top-down (not porkers, I might add) are that I was content to be moving at a slower pace than when not, anyone else agree? Regarding the 911, like most cars with a coupe or cab option, the fixed top has better lines, but if you want a drop-top, don't let that stop you getting one.
ESOG said:
ITS ABOUT TIME! I have been waiting a long time for the right story to come along to be able to give my opinion, or rather DIRECT OBSERVATION on the subject of drop top Porsches.... Alright, here goes!
I dont know how it is elsewhere but here in the U.S., I too have noticed the majority of Porsches being soft top, and you know what else I noticed about 99.9% of those?
THE TOPS ARE ALWAYS up!!! It can be the most picture perfect beautiful day (picture a perfect New York Autumn day) and every geezer with a silver 911 sporting black leather gloves that are perforated at the fingers never seem to be taking the lucky and grateful advantage of the fact they bought a drop top. And whats worse is that they even have the windows up! No doubt the aircon on its lowest setting, all the while I can imagine him listening to some horrendous AM business radio station.
Areas where it reaches REALLY hot and humid like Florida or even certain days in New York (like anywhere else) I can understand not using the drop top feature. But I witness this in times when the weather is perfect.
And before anyone accuses me of being a Porsche hater, simply put 'any drop top Corvette in the above story and its all the same.
Edited to add that the only Porsche owners I see more times than not with the top down are Boxster owners.
I think that is a US thing... The UK buys more soft-top cars than other countries in Europe. I think it's our crap weather that causes it - we are ever hopeful it will be a nice day... I think in the UK most soft-top owners put the the top down whenever they get the chance (less so in the winter, but on Boxing day it was sunny here and I saw lots of people with the top down)I dont know how it is elsewhere but here in the U.S., I too have noticed the majority of Porsches being soft top, and you know what else I noticed about 99.9% of those?
THE TOPS ARE ALWAYS up!!! It can be the most picture perfect beautiful day (picture a perfect New York Autumn day) and every geezer with a silver 911 sporting black leather gloves that are perforated at the fingers never seem to be taking the lucky and grateful advantage of the fact they bought a drop top. And whats worse is that they even have the windows up! No doubt the aircon on its lowest setting, all the while I can imagine him listening to some horrendous AM business radio station.
Areas where it reaches REALLY hot and humid like Florida or even certain days in New York (like anywhere else) I can understand not using the drop top feature. But I witness this in times when the weather is perfect.
And before anyone accuses me of being a Porsche hater, simply put 'any drop top Corvette in the above story and its all the same.
Edited to add that the only Porsche owners I see more times than not with the top down are Boxster owners.
Edited by ESOG on Tuesday 26th June 06:48
but none of this decadent soft top business Dusty964 said:
Morning all, just to reiterate, I was talking about the 993 flatnose. Granted, some will love it, others will hate it, but for me, well, its my favourite 993 by far......................
Whoa, that's pretty nice (and somehow it manages to improve what I feel is the 993's aesthetic downfall - the 'square' looking nose)... 
900T-R said:
Dusty964 said:
Morning all, just to reiterate, I was talking about the 993 flatnose. Granted, some will love it, others will hate it, but for me, well, its my favourite 993 by far......................
Whoa, that's pretty nice (and somehow it manages to improve what I feel is the 993's aesthetic downfall - the 'square' looking nose)... For me it's pretty simple - a cabrio that is designed from the ground up as cabrio is OK, any car that starts life as a tin top and then 'becomes' a cabrio model is unfortunately a compromise.
I owned an S2000 for a few years and found that top down motoring brings a new dimension to driving, however I'm not prepared to compromise the driving experience to get it.
Horses for courses in my opinion.
I owned an S2000 for a few years and found that top down motoring brings a new dimension to driving, however I'm not prepared to compromise the driving experience to get it.
Horses for courses in my opinion.
Output Flange said:
Well I must be doing it wrong then - shall be collecting a PDK Cab next week to replace an auto Z4. Didn't want a Boxster and a 911 Coupe isn't very good at top-down motoring, so I wonder what the collective wisdom of this thread would suggest I should have got instead?
Impossible to answer that without knowing why you didn't want a Boxster. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff