996 Cab or used 996 turbo

Hello all, I recently pre-traded my 2002 996 coupe in for a March production 996 cab and am having second thoughts. Obviously, with the economy like it is I am getting a great deal on both my trade and the new Cab. However, no offense to 996 cab owners, but the new Boxster and 996 cab look way to much alike for my taste. I mean, I can always spot the differences but to the average person, the 996 cab is a Boxster. I hate to be superficial but why drop $80k on a car that looks like a $45k boxster. Should I get a used 2002 996 turbo?? What do you guys think?? I would love to find a 2002 996 turbo in black but, now that I pre-traded my car, my time is limited. Also, I live in Chicago and plan to make this my daily driver. Help!!

If your main motivation to sell/trade-in your coupe was your desire for a cab, will you really be happy with a turbo with is obviously also a coupe? Personal opinions will very, but I wouldn't worry about the "looks like a boxter arguement." If that is important to you, I think more average people are going to think the turbo is a regular 996 than are people who mistake a 996 for a boxter.

If a convertible is what you really want, then go with the cab. Personally, I'd take the turbo as I've had convertibles (in Illinois) and really don't like them.

Do you like convertables better than coupes? Personlly, I don't buy cars to impress others, I buy them to drive them. I have a TT and a Cab and drive the Cab a lot more than the TT. I love convertables and don't care if stupid people think it's a boxster... Roy

Maybe it's stupid people who built two cars to look so much alike from the front.

Is it jewelry or car? In Chicago I'd go for the Turbo, but not for the reasons you mentioned. Hardtop will be on six months out of the year, potholes in spring, too hot in the summer, IMHO after living in Minneapolis w/a Targa, fall is the only really good season for top town in the upper Midwest.

CAB...unless you drive at or near the limit...then TURBO. With h-top on Cab is just as tight as a coupe and looks cool, and you can't beat top down driving! From your perspective (unless you just want bragging rights) a Turbo is just a very fast coupe that handles better and goes like stink. Cab is cool! For chicago I would definitely get the h'top!

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by DonW..from Cape Cod...: <strong>CAB...unless you drive at or near the limit...then TURBO. With h-top on Cab is just as tight as a coupe and looks cool, and you can't beat top down driving! From your perspective (unless you just want bragging rights) a Turbo is just a very fast coupe that handles better and goes like stink. Cab is cool! For chicago I would definitely get the h'top!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">DON W- Is your avitar a picture of your actual car? I love the turbo look front. There is no mistaking that for a 911! If that is your car where did you get the front spoiler and how much was it. -Lou

It is all personal. Personally, I could care less about being able to drop the top. I would rather have the more performance oriented car, the Turbo. I would even rather have a C2 coupe than the cab. This is just what I would want. But in the end it is up to what will really make you happy.

Thank you all for your replys keep em coming, I love to hear your opinions. I would love a cab but, again, it just looks so much like a boxster. I also do not buy cars to impress other people RWO. I buy them to impress myself and I guess I just feel a little uninspired when I see a Boxster, or is it a 911, that costs half as much as a 911 driving down the street and they look almost identical. As i said, I may not have a choice as I pre-traded my car, time is not on my side. I think if a clean used 911 turbo came along I would jump on it but, I have to hope my dealer takes one in. -Lou

I have both a ttX50 ana a Boxster, and live in northwest Indiana, about 55 miles from downtown Chicago. I bought the Boxster after driving a Boxster and 996 Cab back to back. I get lots more miles on the X50, and have driven it in all conditions. The only major problem is the bixenon lights in heavy snow. You get lots of reflection off the snowflakes. The tt has a much higher fun factor than the Cab, especially in all the crappy weather. One other factor for daily use is the cell phone. There seems to be higher cabin noise in the Boxster (can't speak to the 996) which i think relates to the soft top which makes cell use more difficult. Not a problem in your weekend car, but can be an issue if you drive a lot. AS

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Alexander Stemer: <strong>I have both a ttX50 ana a Boxster, and live in northwest Indiana, about 55 miles from downtown Chicago. I bought the Boxster after driving a Boxster and 996 Cab back to back. I get lots more miles on the X50, and have driven it in all conditions. The only major problem is the bixenon lights in heavy snow. You get lots of reflection off the snowflakes. The tt has a much higher fun factor than the Cab, especially in all the crappy weather. One other factor for daily use is the cell phone. There seems to be higher cabin noise in the Boxster (can't speak to the 996) which i think relates to the soft top which makes cell use more difficult. Not a problem in your weekend car, but can be an issue if you drive a lot. AS</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Are the boxster and 996tt your only two cars? Do you drive the tt year round? Do you drive in the snow and if so do you use snow tires? -Lou

Are the tt and Boxster my only 2 cars? No- I have 4 street licensed race cars (Kurtis 500S La Carrera winner, Lotus Super 7, Elise 190R and a 53 Stude-really a 1990 Winston Cup car rebodied as a Stude), a Lexus LS470 (also have 6 kids) and an Audi A6 for really nasty snow, and a BMW 850CSI I prefer for longer trips (it has 135K miles now). I drive the X50 year round except when the snow is over the chin spoiler. I use the summer Contis year-round without problem, notwithstanding the frequent posts that it's not a good idea. I have Blizzaks on the 850 but the tt has been really easy. Since I live in the Indiana Dunes where we have hills and lots of snow, I'd guess I've experienced pretty much the gamut of conditions. The PSM doesn't even come on much. The Audi goes into the warehouse in the spring, when the Boxster comes out, and vice versa in the fall. AS

That is a factory Turbo nose on my AS 02 C4 Cab. Bought it from a person who was putting a GT2 nose on his Turbo. The shop that did his conversion in NJ also painted and installed his Turbo nose on my car. More before and after pics on my website <a href="http://www.986host.com/gallery/doncapecod" target="_blank">www.986host.com/gallery/doncapecod</a> If you want more details pls email me privately [email removed]

My kids (ages 4 & 7) have a blast riding in the back of our "new" 2001 996 cab. They love to spot cars like "Daddy's car" on the road. (Here in Northern California one pops up every few minutes). Unfortunately 3 out of 4 sightings turn out to be false alarms: Boxsters! So they ask what's the difference? I said those boxsters have seats for only 2 adults so if we had one they couldn't have the fun they're currently having, riding along in the backseat with the top down. We all agree a 996 was the right choice! So as long as *you* aren't confused about what you're driving & why, it doesn't really matter what others think. If you want your head in the wind, there is only one way to go. If a coupe is desireable, there are many variations to choose from including the TT. Lucky for you, there are no slouches in any of the choices. FYI, I use my cell phone with an earbud all the time in the cab...and it is just fine even with the top down and the wind deflector up.

Are those two cars really in the same price range?If they were I'd buy the turbo! That's the car to get! IMHO

Low mileage 2000 Boxster S & a 930. Best of both worlds.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by DCFLAT6: <strong>Are those two cars really in the same price range?If they were I'd buy the turbo! That's the car to get! IMHO</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">You can pick up a 2002 low mile turbo for between $100-105k. The Cab I can get for about $20k cheaper.