996 Cabrio vs. Coupe

Hi Guys - I am looking into a 1999 - 2002 996 for use as my daily driver. I have a couple questions that I didn't see answered in earlier threads: [*] [*] I appreciate your input! I've read the master post on buying a 996, but anything else you feel like adding would be very helpful. Many Thanks - Rob

I have a coupe because: - interior is too noisy, it always feel like you have one window open... - top material is degrading very fast, may be because of the opening mechanism - coupe looks nicer, I love the rear window shape on the coupe - on a 10 year old car, I don't want to worry about the cabrio mechanism - I want to be able to go to the track and not worry about 'no-cabrio' rules - the sunroof is really not bad at all on the coupe But my previous car was a bmw z4, so I love convertible and I just had one before this car so it made it even easier for me. But I agree tons of 996 cars are cabrio, a lot less coupe and even less with manual gearbox. i wanted the real 911 shape as my first 911, but I don't exclude a cabrio for my next one I am sure they both are great choice, just make sure you are ready to live with it when you make them. For me interior noise and exterior shape were the deciding factor to get the coupe.

Rob, It's a personal preference for whether the coupe or the cab works for you. But here are my opinions to your questions: 1. How do they stack up against coupes? I think unless you're really into tracking it a lot then they compare just fine. Sure they are a little less stiff and more noisy than the coupe but this is a Porsche so quiet is not one of the touted qualities of the car. Keep in mind in terms of the top, the 2002 car will have a glass rear window while the others won't. That will allow you to cut down on some of the noise and in theory take it through the car wash (more on that later). Ride quality in my experience is about the same in both but it depends on the suspension. 2. Why so many for sale? Probably because this car was one of the first that was friendly to non-sports car drivers. So many were purchased just to cruise around town. 3. Well yes and no. As I mentioned above if you have one with a plastic window I really would recommend against it. If it's one with a glass window you could but your top will probably take a beating. When I hand wash mine I only wash it if it is dirty. So you'll probably wear it out more by taking it through a car wash. But maybe someone else can add input here. I know Phil mentioned the top degrading over time. I think the more the car is garaged the better. So if that's possible you should be okay with the top lasting quite some time. One thing I really like about this car compared to my old 944 cabrio, is that there is no boot to bother with so putting the top up and down is fully automated and just requires hitting a button. Makes it real convenient!

I have a cab with a hard top. If you are looking for a cab, look for one with the hard top option. I didn't want a cab, but otherwise right car right price and no regrets. I would not take the cab to a car wash, I only hand wash mine, but it is not a DD. With the hard top on I think a car wash is non issues. Just use touchless only car wash. My top is 11 yrs old, with a plastic window and it looks new. (ok window has been replaced once) Its all about the care of the top.

Hey Rob I do not think there is a right or wrong answer between the two models. Its really is a personal choice of what type of model you prefer. My brother and i have have owned many different sports cars, he always buys convertibles, and i always buy coupes..Its the sqeeks and rattles of a convertible that bugs me most, and the fact its either too hot, too sunny, or too cold for the top down. FWIW... The automatic carwash freaks me out for either model, as i don't feel right subjecting a Porsche to this type of crude punishment..

You need to drive both and then compare the noise, handling, appearance etc., then it's simple...make a choice based on your preferences. GL

It's a Small car. I can wash it and dry it in the time it would take me to go to and through a car wash.

I would just get both..... get one now, get the other later.

Do you walk to work, or take your lunch?

Great Answers and Questions guys. I know this is a mundane topic, but I'm just gettin through it. I'm a car guy, but I'm also a sailboat guy, so unfortunately I have to split maintenance time between the two, and money too. So I never have enough of either.... The carwash is a touchless type, and the cars then generally get hand driied afterward. The paint on my current car still looks great after 5 years, so I'm assuming they do a good job. The advice to drive both is great - I'm going to have to do that. My main bitch with convertibles is that the chassis never seems as stiff, and there always seem to be some rattles and sqeaks. I'm sure that's a lot less on a car of this caliber through, so I'll just go into it with an open mind. And I'll also remember how much I loved my crappy old VW rabbit convertible. Chick car - yeah, but it sure was a lot of fun when I was 18 and it was summer. Any further advice will be greatly appreciated. And I'm keeping my old '77 air cooled Carerra - it sure would be neat to have one of each. p.s. - wyovino - having spent 5 years on LI, I'm afraid to ask what you mean

It's just something my uncle used to say. I meant it as "there is no right or wrong choice, only personal preference." I have a cab. When I bought it I really would have preferred a coupe, as I love the distinctive lines. I've always thought that convertibles were one of those things where the idea was better than the reality. Having had the car throughout this past summer, I can tell you that I absolutely love driving with the top down. I currently have the hardtop on and can't wait until the spring.

I originally went looking for a coupe but found a cabrio that I liked and bought it instead. Having had it all summer I am extremely glad I bought the cabrio. I love it. If I were to buy another, I would definitely look for another cabrio. I have a hard top for mine as well, which I will put on soon for the winter, but I will tell you now that I will be itching to take it off as soon as possible in the spring. The only car I take through the car wash is my company car. Never took the BMW or Jag through one and the Porsche won't either.

Get a cab with a hard top,I did !

I've had my cab for over 4 years now driving it year round. The vast majority of the time with the top down. A few thoughts on cab ownership: 1) yes, the chassis is less stiff than a coupe but it's still stiffer than just about anything else you've ever owned. If your primary concerns really are stiffness, quietness and ride quality, you probably don't want a 996 at all, let alone a cab. 2)the hardtop is a waste of money and space. If you put one on for the winter you'll miss out on all those 50F days in January when top down driving is a welcome treat. The 996 soft top is well insulated and not unpleasant at very cold temps (0F). There's also a lot to be said for driving with the top down when it's 40F. Turn on the seat heater and the floor vents and it's surprisingly toasty and exhilarating. 3)I take my cab through a touchless carwash in the winter to rinse off the salt when it's too cold to wash it myself(less than 35F). I use the cheapest setting because then I don't want any waxes or sealants to affect the top or seal dirt against the paint. The only downside to this is that the high pressure rinse want to blow water in under the window seals. It's not a lot of water and I bring a big towel to catch the water before it hits the seats and clean the doorjambs, etc. when I'm done. It's not a perfect system but I love driving my 911 and leaving it in the garage for 1/3 of it's life would be a crime. If you "don't want to hand wash the 996" you really should just get a BMW or some other piece of crap. You're just not worthy! I kid, I kid. 4) If you have a real interest in tracking the car you should probably get a coupe. I know this is blasphemy but I question the utility of the coupe for anything other than the track. You can't come close to realizing the car's potential on the street and there isn't much room for anything but you and a few bags. 5) I know plenty of people will disagree but, I don't really enjoy the 996 as a DD. I tend to get a little tired of the 996 when I drive it everyday. Commuting in a 6spd with a loud exhaust, stiff suspension and a poor quality stereo isn't for everyone and the older you get, I suspect, the less it appeals to you. I'm really lucky that I get to split time between the S8 and the 911. Both are great cars in their own right but very, very different. After a week in the Audi, driving the 996 is like falling in love all over again. The opposite is true as well. The Audi is remarkably refined and has a plethora of gadgets the Porsche lacks. In the end, you really have to drive them both and consider which issues are most significant for you. Good luck!

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Maybe, but can you find the hose and the towels and the tire goop and everything else and get them put away (towels washed, too) during that amount of time?

I only hand wash mine, and it's a DD. I can't stand the sight of swirl marks in dark colored paint.

i have a 03 cab4 i also have a hard top its the best of both worlds

and i only hand wash mine ,but the top holds up good

i prefer Cabriolets but if I tracked the car, I would get a Coupe. I think both cars (Cabrio & Coupe ) are good looking (elegant) their own and different way. Before I got the Cabrio, I thought the coupe was a better looking car - but now that I have been with the Cabrio and seen it from all the angles - it really is a good looking car. Just this weekend (while I had my Dad in the car) we received a bunch of unsolicited comments on how "pretty" the car was (top was down - and I had just washed it). As for washing - 996s are so small that you could do it yourself wile you are waiting on line for a car wash. Especially if you wash it every couple of weeks.

Much faster to hand wash Cabrio than Coupe.

I am definitely not planning on tracking the 996. If I track anything, it will probably be the ole air cooler. Gotta admit - I was out riding my bike the other day and a 996 convertible passed me - sure looked good from behind with the top down. Guess I'm gonna have to go out and start checking a few out - this is gonna be rough Thanks again guys. And wyovino, if I could recommend a fun road, Old Post Road on the north shore between Port Jeff and Miller Place. I always wanted to drive it in a performance car, but back when I lived there I was flat broke. Next time you're up that way, drive it for me!

I love the look of both the Cab and the Coupe. I agree that the classic lines on the coupe are nice, but you can't really see them from the driver's seat! Cab+Hardtop=perfect

No one has suggested the TARGA, which could really be the compromise between the coupe and convertible... discuss................

I think a lot depends on where you live. In Texas, you will get a lot more top-down time than if you were in Colorado, etc. That said, I like a solid roof over my head!

Robrichtx - I have a friend in Miller Place, so I will give Old Post Road a try. Two weeks ago I drove the car up to Hunter Mountain in the Catskills. Some of the mountain roads were a blast.

i think if you're not going to hand wash it you should stick with toyotas. just me.

I wanted a coupe but the rest of the family wanted a cabrio so to make the purchase go smoother I went with the cabrio and have no regrets. I love it.

I went with a Cab, and after 7 years no regrets. Wife has a Boxster, that I love to drive, and to keep peace in the family, she insisted that I buy my own. I went with the Carrera and loved driving topless so it was the Cab. Now looking for another to replace the '99 I sold, and it will most likely be a Cab. My younger brother had a '01 996 aero Coupe, then an '03 C4S, now an '05 Cayenne TT. He will be getting another 996TT or 997 and assures me it will be a Cab. He drove mine for about 60 miles top down and said it made a great driving experience much better.

I love my cab and since you already have a great coupe I think the answer is easy...CAB. Mine is 11 years old and I have the top down A LOT, no squeaks or creaks and with the top up it's not too loud in my opinion. I had the hard top on for about a month and a half last winter. I'll probably put it on again in January depending on the weather.

Hey, just for a follow up guys - I finally found my 996. I ended up going with a cabrio, since I already have a coupe, but I was undecided right up until the end. I sprung for a garnet red 2004 with 45K miles (one owner, local car). She's got a few minor things that need fixing, but overall, a joy to drive. Thanks to everyone who contributed their opinions to this post - your voices were in my head as I looked from car to car (basically took 1 year from the date of this post).

I bet you aren't a serious buyer, but when you are good luck. rent each type you are interested in adn see if you like it. it's that easy to decide. game over.

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Congrats on your 996! I'm sure that you will find this group very enthusiastic to help you sort out the issues with your car. Post pics in a new thread so everyone can enjoy seeing your new car. (Remember, without pics, it didn't happen!)

Congratulations - Love those 2004 Cabrios!

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Congrats from another Cab owner in TX. I have a hardtop but here's a counter-intuitive thought. I typically have the hardtop on during June through September when temperature ranges from 80-110F. It's just stupid to drive around in a convertible in 90+ scorching sunny weather in TX... Hardtop comes off from Oct through June... where 50-70F driving with topdown is very enjoyable. Enjoy!

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That's funny, I do the same thing now. Kept my hardtop on all summer but in the "winter" (hard to call 50-60 degree days winter) I can actually put the top down!

Congrats on your 04 Porsche. Either way, you'll love your Porsche.

Congratulations on your latest Porsche. You'll love the cabrio, IMHO. I just put the hard top on mine today and it's like a whole new car. I can't wait to rediscover the cab in the Spring. Drive and enjoy!!!! Glad Rennlist was helpful.q

You made the right decision with the Cab, I don't know anyone that's regretted it. Since my post #28 above over a year ago, I bought 996 a Turbo Cab 7 months ago. '04 < 17,500 miles as of today, enjoying the boost, but running around topless is even better. I've always perfered motorcycles to cages anyway. Enjoy riding, I mean driving your Cab!

This thread made reference to a "touchless" car wash. I'm a wash by hand guy, but I'm interested in knowing what a touchless car wash is. Any explanation would be appreciated.

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I'm a cab owner in Colorado and love having the top off from April to November. Nothing beats a spirited drive with the open air. Love hearing the sound of the Fisters. I put the hard top on in mid-November and it is like driving another car. Much quieter, but comfortable in cold weather.

Hey cpepper95129 - I'll bet I'm a lot more serious of a buyer than you are a reader Thanks Guys - here she is

Hope you enjoy it. Once a year, clean the top & put a coat of Raggtop on it. I sort of thought that '03 was the last year that came with a hard top at no extra charge -- did yours come with one? If so, when you put it on, consider spraying some Wurth dry ptfe lubricant around the front & rear edges to keep it from "groaning" when you angle up & down driveways. One way it will save you money is that you generally don't hear cab owners trying one solution after another to make their exhausts louder. Good luck.

Very nice indeed! Post a list of your options. It looks like a very well optioned car. RF5BPilot, thanks for the tip on the Wurth dry ptfe lubricant. I will try it. It drives me crazy when the top creaks and groans pulling out of my garage!

It will sound somewhat pompous perhaps but since nobody seems to share, even partially, my strong opinion about coupe vs cab 911 let me spell it out: IMO 911 is, and always will be, an iconic car which affects my emotions more then any other car ever made. Does not matter if it is 40 years old or this year production. For me it is not only mechanically perfect but the body shape and design is an art which always was and always will be looking beautiful, fresh and exciting. But convertible, while being useful and well blended in no doubt, distracts my soul. Its like somebody went to The Louvre and while nobody was looking painted in the Gioconda picture a nice hat on her head. Nice looking, interesting and well designed hat. For somebody who had never seen an original painting the new and improved would look great perhaps. But not for me. I like open top cars, had many of them and still have one. You can buy today a great convertible and enjoy it fully, the choice is huge. But no 911 cab for me. PS. The cab with hardtop on looks really sad. I am not surprised that hardly anybody uses this hardtop and they were never popular. This poor 911 is so sad because she knows what she could have been if she only had a proper roof... It is Gioconda with a nose ring.

A beauty! Sadly mine is about to go to sleep for the winter but have fun, enjoy membership! Me: I miss my old Porsche Wife: You'll get another one day Me: When Wife: Some day... (later) (still later) Me: Let's buy a sports car, after all, we can...... Wife: okay (*snip* making longer story short) Me: I'd really like a coupe Wife: Nope, I want a convertible Me: (to myself) well if a convertible is how I get back into a 911 so be it. I have to admit, even though its rare that I put the top down, I don't mind the cab at all. The looks are a bit different but they're still very classic 911 and the car, oh the CAR! I just couldn't be happier!!

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Very nice. I'm about 8 months into my cab. It's not my DD, but I drive it as much as I can. Especially this time of year. It's a lot more plesant to drive with the top down than up. Summer in Texas can be brutal though. At night or early in the morning are tolerable with the AC on and the top down. Direct half the air into the footwells and the other half through the dash. Hand wash only. Enjoy.

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I thought about that, but left the hard top off all Summer. Didn't have any problem keeping the car cool as the soft top has enough insultation. I have a light colored top which probably helped. That way on nice evenings and mornings, I could go top down if I was in the mood.

Enjoy your new cab!

I DD my Cab in the spring and summer, garage it in the fall and winter. I did the same in my coupe. I enjoy both just the same. However, car washes... NO WAY JOSE!

Too bad fall is so brutal in Portland... I believe that season in other regions, is tailor made for cabs.

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Porsche makes one of the best engineered convertibles in the car business.