New member Looking for 996 Cab

Hi all, Just in the process of divesting myself of my much loved Lotus Esprit in order to get something that works a little better for entertaining a couple of young kids and wife that isn't a Lotus fan.... I've always been a big Porsche fan, missed out a few years back on an 87 Carrera while they were still within my budget.... thinking that a 996 ticks all of the boxes for me now. I've done a lot of reading, and I'm thinking that the car I want is a 2002+ 996 cabriolet, due to the 3.6 vs. 3.4 as well as some improvements to the top etc. am I on the right track so far? Also thinking I should be watching for a car with the IMS upgrade and RMS already done.....reading through the forums suggests that maybe that shouldn't be a deal breaker though....advice? Any specifics I should add to my checklist? Any issues to be concerned with regarding the top or related equipment? The car will be a summer toy, lives in a garage and not a DD. I am very hands on and do all of the maintenance and repairs on my Esprit. Previous car to the Esprit was an E46 BMW 325ci coupe that I swapped from the 2.5 auto to a 3.0 6 speed (don't ask about that misbegotten adventure from hell!), so I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty. That being said I don't want a project....yet. Any advice would be much appreciated, and really looking forward to getting into my first Porsche. Thanks in advance, Jeff. Ps: I am in Victoria BC, but looking for a car both sides of the border. I have imported a car and a couple of boats from as far away as Texas, so I am somewhat familiar with that process.

Unless the children are in the fetus stage I'm not sure the back seat of a Cab would be workable or comfortable. A coupe, yes...but 996 cab I am in doubt. Perhaps a Targa would give you the open top experience without the back seat squeeze. I would rather have the IMS done under my choice of shop than take what someone else had done. The exceptions would be Jake Raby or Tony Callas...their work I would have 100% faith in. The 3.4 vs 3.6 in a family cruiser isn't going to make a big performance difference in my opinion. However just driving the car on weekends in the summer might become a source of problems. Atrophy is not good for a car. The Targa would give you more opportunities for Fall/Winter/Spring use as well.

Talk to this guy, CA is not too bad from BC and with a replacement Porsche crate engine its a good bet. https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...-4s-coupe.html Suggest you post on the Canadian section of the Forum too. Good Luck

I picked up an 02 996 cab about 2 years ago. Once that happened I found myself driving my 93.5 Esprit much less . After a year or so of ownership I decided to sell my Esprit . I owned and enjoyed that car for 5 + years and don't regret the experience. With that being said , the 996 is apples and oranges compared to the Esprit . Different in almost every way. More comfortable , easier by a mile to drive , and with the right suspension setup corners as well. That rough pebbles on the road surface feel is missing in the 996. 0 to 60 time is on a par with my 93.5 but the rush of the turbo in the Esprit is missing in the 996. Much less attention being turned my way in the 996 which is good for canyon running less so at car shows. Well worth the trade offs in my book but I just purchased a 77 wide body 911s which has more in common with the Esprit as a stable mate for the 996 so what do I know Alan

I went from an E46 sedan to the 996, it was a pretty interesting change. I got a coupe though, and I think in retrospect I definitely want a convertible. I think anyone who can do a bunch of the repair work themselves can really enjoy these cars, the 996 is pretty easy to work on all things considered. I was (still am) thinking about swapping out the M54/5AT for an S54/6MT combo, maybe if I find a salvaged M3. That's one I haven't had the time or money or garage space to embark on yet, but fun to think about (also I'd probably want to start with an E46 wagon instead of the sedan, if I were to actually invest in it).

Hi all, Thanks for the feedback! I should clarify that I will use the car myself 90% of the time, but would be nice to have something to bring the wife and kids along once in a while. I haven't actually dug into a cabriolet yet, from the web pics I assumed the rear seats were same/ similar to the coupe.... Coupe isn't out of the question, but going to pursue the cab route first. I like the idea of the targa, but have only come across two high milers at a price premium. I was thinking the 02+ because I got the feeling that the 3.6 was a more reliable motor...also I certainly don't mind the extra grunt, I didn't mean to give the impression that this was going to be a "Mom's Taxi"... still my toy car, and my toys get used appropriately!

Quotes source post: 13756953

Thank you for the reply, you make some really good points. Was definitely unaware of the fact that there could be issues with ims work. Jeff

Quotes source post: 13757129

I appreciate the link! Sounds like a good opportunity, but have to refrain until the Lotus is gone.....deal is in the works. Jefg

Quotes source post: 13757255

I figured as much. 93.5 is a rare beast! Sounds like a fine stable! Id love to see a pic of the wide body '77! That would be my dream car, but I fear that I've missed that boat! Jeff

Quotes source post: 13757287

I was actually shooting for the S54 swap when I started that endeavor, but was soon talked out of it by people in the know.....the auto to manual swap is straightforward, but opening up the wiring in those cars is something else....all worked out in the end, but it was a many-months long project. In the end I could have bought a really nice zhp package 330ci 6 speed and not taken ten years off my life.....haha. Might be worth it for a wagon though.

Again, thanks everybody for all of the replies, I really appreciate it. Definitely helps to get me up to speed! Of course any tips of things you like/don't like or things to watch for would be much appreciated. Jeff

Visit sunny Florida, come get mine... Oil analysis pending. https://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-...k-and-tan.html

Quotes source post: 13757735

Car looks gorgeous, love the black on tan, that would be my number one choice! Still need to say goodbye to my Lotus before I can get too serious. Still in the research phase Thanks, Jeff

I had a 99 and loved it. If you can live without a manual I found this on ebay (always looking for another). This one has almost every option possible. If you can live with a manual. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1999-Porsche...m=152317079774 And with small kids the back seats are OK for short trips only with the top up. Back seats slant forward.

I have a 99 cab and often drive with my twin 4yr olds in the back seats with booster seats. I'm 6ft 200lbs, and while it's a tight fit, it's 100% doable. They have to fold their legs Indian style, but it works

Quotes source post: 13758224

Yeah, that's kinda of what I had in mind. I have two little girls, not going to be a family road trip machine. ....and don't they call it "Cleveland Style" now? Thanks, Jeff

If you're interested in a targa I could be talked into selling mine. Pic in signature.

I'm in White Rock if you're ever over the other side of the strait. If you're on the vertically challenged side and your kids are really small the cab might work. At 6ft tall it's nearly impossible for me to drive with a real sized human behind me. Cabs lose the rear leg room to accommodate the automatic roll-over protection device ever so cleverly hidden behind the rear "seats" (aka hat storage area).

Quotes source post: 13758579

Appreciate the offer. I have a little more work to do, but will PM you as things get closer. Thanks, Jeff

Quotes source post: 13762213

Ahhh....good information, thanks. I am 6'2". sounds like either it may be back to the drawing board, or consider the cab a 2 seater.

Quotes source post: 13763102

I am also 6'2" and my wife is 5'7". Our 911 cab is a 3 seater for occasional use, while my 7yo son is still short enough to sit behind her. No chance anyone with legs is ever going to sit behind me. Basically, when it's the three of us going somewhere, we take the Acura RL or the Highlander. The 911 is the "someone is missing, let's drive the fun car" car.

My kids would adjust the passenger's seat to split the space between them. But at 12 and 13, they've both hit a growth spurt and the car has lost some of its cool. It's now officially a 2 seater.