I've just bought some poverty Pork…

[Filibuster]

Also I think the 911 doesn't work as a convertible from the pure concept of it.

The 911 is a superb 2+2 hardtop sports car. Perfect.
But a convertible sports car doesn't work as a 2+2, let alone a 4 seater. If you want to seat more than 2 people in an open top car, go for something that suits it. An Audi Cabrio (whatever it is called today); a Saab convertible; Volvo C70; Bentley Azure; etc or even a Mercedes SL. Open top motoring for more than two people has to be cruising.

This is the conceptual approach. And the 911 convertible fails at it, imho. And it also fails from a designer pov in all generations, again, imho.

And Boxters are lovely cars, all generations!

[Skyedriver]

Filibuster said:

Also I think the 911 doesn't work as a convertible from the pure concept of it.

The 911 is a superb 2+2 hardtop sports car. Perfect.
But a convertible sports car doesn't work as a 2+2, let alone a 4 seater. If you want to seat more than 2 people in an open top car, go for something that suits it. An Audi Cabrio (whatever it is called today); a Saab convertible; Volvo C70; Bentley Azure; etc or even a Mercedes SL. Open top motoring for more than two people has to be cruising.

This is the conceptual approach. And the 911 convertible fails at it, imho. And it also fails from a designer pov in all generations, again, imho.

And Boxters are lovely cars, all generations!

Appreciate your comments and those above.
Rear seat would be an occasional one, a bit like that in my Wife's Cooper cabrio. OK for a trip into town but you wouldn't want to spend 2hours in there.
(I'm 5'11", son is 6'1" wife is 5'5". You can see whole be in the back....)
Re 4 seater cabs, there's not one in the list above that I'd consider, tried the Volvo, had a SL500.
Agree that you lose some of the side view silhouette when you hack the roof off a 911 hence the Targa option.

[snotrag]

Filibuster said:

Also I think the 911 doesn't work as a convertible from the pure concept of it.

The 911 is a superb 2+2 hardtop sports car. Perfect.
But a convertible sports car doesn't work as a 2+2, let alone a 4 seater. If you want to seat more than 2 people in an open top car, go for something that suits it. An Audi Cabrio (whatever it is called today); a Saab convertible; Volvo C70; Bentley Azure; etc or even a Mercedes SL. Open top motoring for more than two people has to be cruising.

This is the conceptual approach. And the 911 convertible fails at it, imho. And it also fails from a designer pov in all generations, again, imho.

And Boxters are lovely cars, all generations!

I hhave to say, this, really, is whats kept me out of a cheap 996 depsite being tempted for many years (and seeing all the 10-20k examples on here over the years).


I loved my Boxster, it was great. The next 'step up' was the 996. However I much, much prefer my 'fun' car to be a convertible. But the issue is, a Boxster actually makes so much more sense than a 911 cabrio! And I've already done that!

[Fast Bug]

Skyedriver said:

Appreciate your comments and those above.
Rear seat would be an occasional one, a bit like that in my Wife's Cooper cabrio. OK for a trip into town but you wouldn't want to spend 2hours in there.
(I'm 5'11", son is 6'1" wife is 5'5". You can see whole be in the back....)
Re 4 seater cabs, there's not one in the list above that I'd consider, tried the Volvo, had a SL500.
Agree that you lose some of the side view silhouette when you hack the roof off a 911 hence the Targa option.

I think any more than 5 minutes in the back of cab requires a roof off exit possibly aided by a crane due to the back seat passenger getting cramp and being unable to move.

With the Targa, be aware with the roof open you'll lose some head room as the roof slides inside the car. It's a far more comfortable place to be than the back of a cab though, I've done enough miles in the back of all 3 bodystyles to know I never want to get in the back of a cab again

[Leftfootwonder]

Not quite poverty but go find another spec'd like this 987.1 CS. I Must be getting old, I rather like it...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393267838319?hash=item5...

[Skyedriver]

It would appear that I may need to rethink.

[2Btoo]

Leftfootwonder said:

Not quite poverty but go find another spec'd like this 987.1 CS. I Must be getting old, I rather like it...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393267838319?hash=item5...

Now that looks simply stunning! Green will divide opinion but it looks superb to me. Not sure about the interior; it calls it 'terracotta' but I don't think I've seen one of those before, only the 'red' which I have on mine (and which is very red indeed.) I also like what he's done with those wheels - they suit it brilliantly.

However 987.1 S is the engine that some people will tell you will explode before you reach the end of the road. And it's a tip, which ain't great. That spec in a 987.1 2.7 with a manual gearbox would be a belter. In a 987.2 with a manual gearbox it would be even betterer ....

[ATM]

Leftfootwonder said:

Not quite poverty but go find another spec'd like this 987.1 CS. I Must be getting old, I rather like it...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393267838319?hash=item5...

You were already old 10 years ago....

[golfer19]

Leftfootwonder said:

Not quite poverty but go find another spec'd like this 987.1 CS. I Must be getting old, I rather like it...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393267838319?hash=item5...

Love the colour combination but a bit less 'terracotta' would be better.

[was8v]

Skyedriver said:

It would appear that I may need to rethink.

Just get a sunroof coupe

[pencil9]

just purchased this piece of pork! One owner full pic service history always kept garaged!

[Fast Bug]

That looks lovely!

[Leftfootwonder]

2Btoo said:

Leftfootwonder said:

Not quite poverty but go find another spec'd like this 987.1 CS. I Must be getting old, I rather like it...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393267838319?hash=item5...

Now that looks simply stunning! Green will divide opinion but it looks superb to me. Not sure about the interior; it calls it 'terracotta' but I don't think I've seen one of those before, only the 'red' which I have on mine (and which is very red indeed.) I also like what he's done with those wheels - they suit it brilliantly.

However 987.1 S is the engine that some people will tell you will explode before you reach the end of the road. And it's a tip, which ain't great. That spec in a 987.1 2.7 with a manual gearbox would be a belter. In a 987.2 with a manual gearbox it would be even betterer ....

I agree that being a Tiptronic isn't ideal but in some ways it might suit the gentlemanly vibe this spec gives off. Not all Gen1's blow up and - unpopular opinion alert - I am not a fan of the Gen 2 'cross-eyed' look of the headlights. The Gen 1 is more classic. (I'll get my tin hat...)

[gizlaroc]

pencil9 said:

just purchased this piece of pork! One owner full pic service history always kept garaged!

Meridian silver?


Mine is Meridian, amazing how much it changes colour depending on light.

[2Btoo]

Leftfootwonder said:

I agree that being a Tiptronic isn't ideal but in some ways it might suit the gentlemanly vibe this spec gives off. Not all Gen1's blow up and - unpopular opinion alert - I am not a fan of the Gen 2 'cross-eyed' look of the headlights. The Gen 1 is more classic. (I'll get my tin hat...)

With you all the way on all that. Although I still wouldn't like a Tip!

'Gentlemanly vibe' - good phrase! But why should gentlemen prefer tips? (I thought that only applied to Blondes?) Lovely colour though. Must have been special order as I don't think I've ever seen another, either in photos or in the tin.

[pencil9]

Hi no mine is champagne silver has a bit of rose colour to it! What a great car for the money! Tiptronic gear box 21 years old and still feels tight! It has had money spent on it though ! Great poverty pork purchase I’m going to daily it! Drive the wheels of it as they say!

[gizlaroc]

pencil9 said:

Hi no mine is champagne silver has a bit of rose colour to it! What a great car for the money! Tiptronic gear box 21 years old and still feels tight! It has had money spent on it though ! Great poverty pork purchase I’m going to daily it! Drive the wheels of it as they say!

That is what mine looks like in some lights.

Colour code 6A6 or 6A7?



Never heard of Champange.


This is another pic, shows the colour again....

Edited by gizlaroc on Friday 30th April 16:10

[ATM]

gizlaroc said:

Never heard of Champange.

Me neither

Surely it's Meridian

[pencil9]

You are correct 6A6 meridian metallic

[Gallicbred]

was8v said:

Skyedriver said:

It would appear that I may need to rethink.

Just get a sunroof coupe

Was8v - Have you driven a Targa compared to a sunroof equipped coupe? I would say the two are incomparable, like comparing a skylight to a letterbox. If the coupes sunroof were bigger and made of glass it would be more viable IMO.

Skyedriver - if you want a Porsche 911 and need usable rear seats and would prefer a more open approach (roof open or closed) then the Targa is the only way to go in my opinion.

As mentioned before, the rear seats in a 911 cab are very tight and uncomfortable compared to the coupe and Targa. That’s what put me off a cab when I was looking at 996s.

Don’t worry about the Targa roof robbing headroom when it’s open - anyone affected by that (over 5’ 5”) will be more upset about the lack of knee/legroom in the back!

I suggest you drive all three versions and see which one you prefer and suits your (and your family’s) needs.

I’ve owned a 996 Targa for 7 or so years and have previously owned a 996 C4S (with metal sunroof) and Boxster S; I’ve kept the Targa for by far the longest time so make of that what you will.

If you choose to go down the Targa route, make sure the roof works properly, doesn’t squeak or creak unduly and - most importantly - doesn’t leak! Although most squeaks, creaks and leaks are solveable with a bit of effort.