Cabrio opinions needed

Hey, I'm shopping for a 2002 or 2003 Carrera 4 right now; just looking for the right car. I'd like to get some opinions from cabrio owners. Right now, I'm on the fence between the cabrio and the coupe. I would definitely like to have the cabrio but the only problem is that I live in Canada and I will be using the car all year long without question. I'm wondering what the cabrio is like in the winter. I would consider getting the optional hardtop as well. Any help would be great. Thanks

It's great year round. No brainer for us. We have the top down 75% of the time March-October and then the hardtop is fitted for November-February. Best of both worlds.

My cab loves the garage! Not because of any top issues but moreso because Calgary doesn't plow their side streets and I can't get the darn thing out of the neighborhood! Good snow tires and you're set!

Winter wheels & tires along w/ the hardtop make the C4 cab the perfect all-season P-car. Go for the cab!

I'm in Ontario but do not drive the P-car in the winter. I see plenty around and from talking to other owners they are good in the snow with a decent set of snow tires. I would recomend a hard top though!! Good Luck!

I can't speak for the winter weather since I'm in Florida, but IMO the cab is the way to go

I live in Calgary and have a Cab with a hardtop. I'm a bit like tgt40 that often I can't get the car out of my street! When I can use it, having the hardtop makes it just like a coupe. You have the best of both worlds. I do see quite a few people driving cabs in the winter with the soft tops - my only issue would be stains and damage to the fabric from all the crap they put on the roads.

I have a C4S Cab and live in Victoria, BC and buying the cab was a really good decision for me! It was 12 degrees C yesterday and had the top down!!! :-D Where are you located in Canada? On the west coast, the C4 cab would an ideal car year-around - AWD to handle the occasional snow and the benefits of top-down driving a possibility all year round.

Thanks guys, good to know! One more question, how is the cabrio when it's really hot? Is the AC still effective with the top down? I live in the Okanagan Valley in BC and we have pretty mild winters and really hot summers. Most of June, July and August is above 30 degrees C.

A/C works great even with the top down. Even in hot and humid conditions like we have here in the Southeastern United States.

I love my 2002 cabrio. Got it last june & didn't have the funds for a proper 'winter kit', so mine is in the garage for most of the winter (except for dry-road weekends). They make a special dolly/rack thing that holds your winter rims/tires and the hardtop all in one unit. With the top up in the summer, my AC does a good job (which it should - there's not much square footage in the cabin to keep cool). Also - make sure the seller includes the detachable rear windscreen. It's handy, and they run a few hundred bucks if he forgets to include it. BTW - I first learned to drive a manual in New Denver, BC way back in the 80's. Beautiful country.

If you want a convertible buy the Boxter S...mid engine and golf clubs. IMO Also a no no to drive through car washes not that I do with my coupe either.

No winter issues here in paradise (So Cal)... Cab all the way! Rudy

Get the cab. Hardtop is a waste of money. A separate set of rims and snows is a better value. Definitely get a wind deflector too. Good luck with your purchase! Interested in Midnight blue? Make me an offer!

No problems whatsoever for daily use all year long. Soft top is sufficient.

Normally pass but you should get the HT

I would not get the hard top unless you can get it real cheap on craigslist. I drive the soft top in very cold weather (below freezing) w/ no problems.

I had my Cab 996 in Virginia where it snowed and the car was not good in the snow with the regular tires. I had a hard time getting home on several occassions. Need snow tires. With the heat on I was always warm inside and the top is very well insulated and lined and I really heard no outside noises. The 996 Cab is a great car. Cabman

Come to the dark side - Targa.

I'd like to drive a 911 cab. Never driven one. How does it compare to the coupe?

Get the hardtop and wind deflector. Hardtop reduces outside noise and cold by easy 30%. Wind deflector is a must if driving anything more than 2 hours. 01 Cab

I wanted a coupe but the family wanted a cab so you can guess who won that one. I absolutely love the cab though. It has annoying rattles over bumps and the only advice I can find for silencing it is using dry lube at the contact points. Doesn't work. That's the only inconvenience. Mine is 10 years old with no leaks, no excessive wind noise or other problems. Climate control is easy in any weather. I have the hard top and it's not worth the trouble. The soft is as good in my opinion. The hards seem to sell for $250 on Craig's so if you have to have one, get one. I love the cab.

The coupes are nice but the Cabs are wonderful. I bought my Cab, a '99 in '03. I also have the hardtop which I've not put on this year or last due to a fairly light snow year. I've had my soft top up since October and will most likely leave it up for another month or so. I've never had an issue with my top and the rear plastic window is still crystal clear and plyable. I usually clean and polish out any fine scratches once a year and treat all the rubber with silicone about twice a year. I have taken trips of several hundred miles with the top down and love it. I also think the Cab is also much better looking than the coupe which looks good too. To me the Cab gives you more of the total experience you get when you have a Porsche. I'm basing this on having a couple of 914s and a 911 Targa years ago as well as still owning a Boxster the we've had a year and a half longer than the Carrera.

One disadvantage to a 996 Cabrio - if you plan on taking your car out for a DE, only certain tracks allow it without a rollbar. So keep that in mind if you want to track it!