Need help deciding between 02 cab vs. 01 TT

I�ve been thinking about what car to get for some time now and I�ve narrowed it down to two. I�ll be in the market early next year. I know it�s far away but work is slow today so my mind is wandering. The car will be my weekend car and my budget is maxed at around 65k. The choices are, 2002 C2 cab. I�ve seen them for about 60k, this is for one with <20k miles, loaded and certified. I like the refreshed look of the 02 and feel more comfortable getting one that is certified since I�ve heard many issues about RMS, etc. Living in So Cal, the idea of having a cab is very enticing. I'm worried about not being satisfied with the power. This car is more within my budget. 2001 TT I�ve seen them for 70k not certified with 30k-40k miles. When I�m actually ready to buy in about 6-8 months and with the release of the 997TT I suspect the price will drop a bit more into my budget. I love the look and power, and I feel more confident about not getting the warranty but understand that even though the engine is strong it�s not bulletproof. Ever since I was a little kid, the turbo always held a place in my heart. My budget is being pushed. So I guess it comes down to a fresh low mileage cab versus an older slightly beat-up turbo. I�m still young so there will be time to get a taste of many different types of cars but where do I start? I know it comes down to personal opinion but what would you guys do? Thanks much, Scott

where to begin.... well, if you've ever owned a convertible before, you'll know that squeaks & rattles are inevitable. so much so that they drove me mad. I got a wild hair up a*% and decided I needed a boxster S. Worst business decision of my life(so far!) as it barely lasted 6 mos. the extra weight of the cab will also reduce the "power" as well, compared to a coupe. for the turbo, i would feel more comfortable with owning one out of warranty compared to a NA Porsche engine just becuase of the defect-prone engines (RMS, etc...) but turbos do have their own problems. nevetheless, it is kinda fun to work your way up the ranks so to speak and give yourself something to look forward to. this is the way I've looked at it and plan on getting a turbo in a year. do what you want AND what is financially responsible. the last thing you would want to do is stress your finances just for a car. anticipation is one of the best things about these toys

Ok I'll bite......get the TT

Thanks for the response. I have never owned a cab but having driven many before and never noticed squeaks and groans. I guess it's something that is only noticed driving it day in and day out. From owning an Integra before and for it to squeak driving up every driveway, it can get annoying. I'm going to pay cash for the car so I won't have to worry about making payments but it is just hard for me to swallow putting down 70k for a toy. Common sense kicks in...but I guess you only live once.

TT!!!! Hands down.

Tough choice but I say TT.

Not even going to read the above. TT. Turbo is more rewarding and easier to make power.

TT - my next car!

I just sold one Sunday for $59,000.....one of the nicest Porsches I have owned and it had three years of warranty left....it was an '02 with hardtop and all options you want including full natural brown leather....original MSRP of $96.000 plus I have had 15 Porsches over the last 34 years, albeit some were dedicated track cars, but this was the best everyday Porsche I've owned Twin Turbos are great!...But do yourself a favor and don't buy one out of warranty....plus the 996 Turbo is to much car unless you are a experienced performance car driver........ I never owned a Porsche I did not love except for the '00 C4 Millenium Ciao

Go with the TT. The horsepower is addicting. I started with a Boxster (lasted 7 months), moved up to my present ride and have been making overtures to the wife that in about a year I would like to sell this car and get a TT. I don't think that you will regret it.

I started my little journey looking at '02 cabs also. My advice.........don't drive a TT You won't be able to go back

The optimum car in my opinion would be Turbo Cab. I realize they are way above the $ in your budget, but do combine the best of both cars - open air driving coupled with huge horsepower!

Why stopped you from loving the C4 Millenium?

Have you ever owned a high HP sports car before? If you haven't, I might suggest the cab. Otherwise, I'd get the TT.

Are you kidding me? A TT!!!

Topless is nice, But power is nicer, I must stress tho, a TT is a powerhouse and I hope you have had some high powered cars in the past,I started with a 99 Cab lasted a month, made a change to a 04 C2, and now i am waiting on my 997 TT. I am glad i did the steps, but i always knew i would end up in a TT.

TT, put the windows down & open the roof.

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I'm going to go against the grain here and say to go with the cab. Here's why: 1 - This sounds like it's your first Porsche. Buy the cab and really learn how to drive it. They are exceptional cars, even without being a tt. 2 - You said you're still young. After you've learned how to really drive the car, if it still isn't enough power/performance then save up and get a really nice tt or as someone else suggested a tt cab. Buying a "rough" tt doesn't sound real appealing to me.

i would plump for the cab if its yr first porsche, depends a little on how much use u will get out of a soft top - i had a 996 cab for over 3 yrs and had the roof off abt 6 months a year then stick the hard top on and u have almost a coupe (plus u can put all the side windows down unlike the fixed head) so 2 cars in one . i know people dislike cabs as not real sports cars but for pure fun they are hard to beat on the right day. the tt is ferociously fast but heavier and imho not as fun for real world driving , and i am great beliver in working yr way up the ladder more fun that way.

I love my cab. Most of the time it is hard to make use if the 320 horse in a NA car, but would someday like a turbo. I say go with the cab and get a hard top. I do notice a squeek with my top up and none down. With the hard top on it feels like a coupe. Best of both worlds. In a few years add a super charger and you will have more power and a lighter car than a TT(no 4 wheel drive though).

Tough call. First of all, I have owned several earlier 911 cabs and Targas, and they all used to squeak, but my present '04 C4S cab has zero squeaks and rattles; it is tight as a drum (I now have 13,000 miles on it). If you are going to be driving with the top down for more than 30-40% of the time, get the cab. In nice weather you are going to feel cooped up in the TT, even with the windows and the tiny sunroof open. The exhilaration of the turbo is fantastic, but will not compensate for that top down experience IMHO. Also, the TT is a handful for any driver who has not had a good deal of driving experience with high powered cars--thrilling yes, but handle with care. That said, you will love either car. Unfortunately, if you start with the TT, you can't ever go back to an NA 911! But if you get the cab first, you can always upgrade to a TT or a TT cab some day...

I had a 997S on order and then drove a Turbo...I now own the Turbo

Why not do both?... Get a TT Cab! Problem solved! Next issue?

cab....enjoy the car, top down and it has plenty of power and the 02 has some warranty left...this is my first porsche and i have an 02 cab, 320 hps i thought was enough and it sure is a blast to drive, but now that i am used to it, i would love a second porsche and for sure a TT but will never part with the cab. I store my cab for the winter here in montreal, when i take it out after not driving it for months wow.....guess it is all what you are used to but the cab is a blast...good luck!

TT

It really depends on what you want. They are different cars. I was looking around the same price range ($65K). I was trying to decide between the C6ZO6 Corvette with 505HP (No question about performance value here) and a 996 Cab. Being comfortable with my manhood (although it was hard to choose less HP) and knowing that I do not plan to race I opted for an '02 C4 Cab fully loaded for around $64K with an extended two year warranty (It stickered at $116K). I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina and I have had the top down every day I've had it so far. Having said that, 996 TT Cabs are around $110K from what I have seen, but like others have said, for around $13K you can add a supercharger once your warranty is up. Have fun. If you are anything like me, I started my search about six months prior to when I planned to purchase and I found what I wanted after about 2-3 months.

In my case I live and work in the country and it's hard to beat the pleasure of driving a Cab with the top down. I've driven a TT on several occassions and they certainly are a blast to drive, but in my case I just don't have the time to track a car any more. To buy a TT solely for the street is a waste of money IMO. So as others have suggested it depends upon your circumstances. Both the TT and the Cab are great cars for the right person.

If you have the money get a TT Cab. . To answer your question I'd wait to get the TT..

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

You will utilize the cabs max performance enjoyment {top down} more often than the TT's max performance, unless of course you plan on taking it to the track. If it's ego speed you desire for the public streets, SC the the cab or straddle a Hyabusa....

I just bought my 5th Porsche, an 01 TT that had 3,800 miles on it when I picked it up. I bought a 4 year 48K warranty from my dealer for the piece of mind. It was $3500. The TT is absolutely amazing, and if I ever think I need more power, its easily modifyable. I will say I've never owned a Cab. There would be times when top-down would be awesome, but it's only about 20% of the time when the weather is ideal for that here. I think there are too many 01 TTs on the market to settle for a less than supreme car. You might also check with your insurance company, and factor in the sales tax and PPI inspection fee so you can get a realistic picture of your actual costs to put it in your garage. Have fun and keep us posted.

I've owned both the TT and a cab and there's something about a vert that does it for me. I much prefer the wind in my hair than a few extra HP. I hear everyone talk about the WOW factor of the TT and I just don't get it. Compared to some of the other high-end cars I've owned (Viper & Lambo in particular), the TT is lame for the money spent. FYI....This is my opinion, so please resist the temptation to flame.

Maybe I missed this but where do you live and how much would you get to use a convertible? I had a Boxster S for a while and since I live in South Texas I could pretty much have the top down 10 months out of the year. Cruising around in an open top Porsche is great and I miss it enough I will probably get another cab one of the these days but only as second Porsche. So if you can afford/find a nice TT with some warranty I'd pick it. But drive both if you haven't to see what you like the best. And once you decide wait until the right car comes along. It's tempting to pick up something right away that's "close" to what you want or "a little beat up but okay" but try to resist the instant gratification option and wait until you find EXACTLY the car you're looking for. If you don't wait you'll regret it later. You might regret it a little (missing an option you wanted) or you might regret it a lot (like paying to have two turbos completely rebuilt).

Thanks for all the advice, I'm surprised the thread is still alive. After much contemplation, I think I'm leaning toward the cab. Here are some of the thoughts that crossed my mind. I live in Los Angeles where I can drive it with the top down all year around. It will be my secondary car, so it would be a nice change of pace to hop into a convertible and drive it night or day. I just took my friends BMW convertible for a long night drive and it was awesome, there is nothing like carving up the canyons at night with the top down. Also I know if i bought the TT, it would be money pit because of the mods I would do(exhaust and chip alone would be almost 8k). I still have some time to think about things when I'm on vacation but whatever car I finally pick, there is no doubt that it will be a P-car. Scott