Which Would You Prefer & Why? 996 Coupe/Targa/Convertible

I'm in the market for an '02 996. I'm just going back and forth between a Coupe, a Targa or a Convertible. This will be my first 996, coming from a 986S. I'm just looking for the one that would best suit a "daily driver". I loved the "S", but it's time to move on to the real deal. So if you were me. What might you be considering and why? Thanks!

I wouldn't accept anything but a C4S t-top, if it were me.

Had a coupe and now driving a cab, would not even consider coupe again. It's tight, warm enough without putting hardtip on, and is perfect for NJ roads. Coupe with ROW was too stiff and was jarring on our "nice" roads. I would suggest to drive both and look at targa as well.

Living in SoCal, I'm a Cab guy all the way - Living in NJ, make sure you find one with heated seats!

I would take a Targa, just because they're unusual, but would be a little worried about the mechanics of it all... Cabs never look enough like "real" sports car (IMHO of course) Coupes are cool, but the Targa is the best of both worlds... Then again, for that money the C4S has those wide body looks...

coupes are more rigid--i'm partial to the c4s. i like the sunroof. cabs are great though on a sunny spring day--just be sure you get one after 2002 to get the glass rear window. i also think the hardtops look great. imo, targas are too heavy--and not available with awd--a deal killer for me in the snowy northeast.

I personally prefer coupes because of the rigidity it provides. I'm beginning to like cabs though, great for Hwy 1 drives. Never ridden or driven a Targa so... don't know much about them. I autocross as often as I have time for so I the coupe suits my needs most.

the Cab is very rigid as well, most other car's you can tell a big diffrence in how they drive if you get in one and then the other, you can't really tell on the P-car's

I have to vote for 996 Targa. Honestly, if I wanted a cab, I think I'd get a Boxster S over a 996. No offense to the 996 cab ownrs, but the 986S just fits my idea of an open-air car. Then again, for the price league of the Targa, you can just about get a C4S (widebody, turbo suspension and brakes, full leather, etc.).

I was exactly in the same situation a month ago (coming from a Boxster S and deciding on 02 996 Cab or Coupe). For me it was a question of the area where you will be driving your car. I live in Miami, Florida, so Cab was my choice. If I were in Europe, I would have chose most likely a Coupe. The good news, you can't go wrong either way. Good luck!

I went from a 2000 Boxster S to an 02 C4S. One year later I traded for an 03 C2 Cab. I missed the convertible too much with the C4S and I couldn't wait for the C4S cab.

I have both a coupe and a new c4s cab... IMO the 996 coupes look nicer, are more complete in form and very serious looking. But the first trip you take when it's 75 out and the top is down - man that's a feeling you just can't duplicate with a moon roof or Targa, there's no better time.

I love my cab............... The versatility of the cab with the hard top has really earned its stripes with me, and there is NOTHING like driving with the top down on a nice sunny day.................

Well coming from a 99 Cab. i now have a 2004 c2 Coupe, I agree there really is nothing like a nice summer night with the roof down, however i know Jersy gets weather close to our Toronto weather, and the truth was i just was not using the cab as much as i wanted to. I say drive all three and see what fits you better.But know this now if you do go for a coupe YOU WILL MISS BE TOPLESS.Good luck i lost many nights of sleep pondering the same question

Everyone has there preference...but it all depends on what you'll use the car for... If you plan on tracking it frequently, then get a coupe.... If you want something that is out of the ordinary, get a targa... But since you're coming from a Boxster you probably took the top down alot, so you are apt to miss the convertible. NJ has enough hot days where you'll want to take the top down, and in the winter just put the hardtop on it and you'll be good to go. I'd say cab all the way...but then again I'm biased

I came from a 986S into a 03 Targa - It is perfect - (For Me That Is) The power of the coupe with a open air effect, and not the down side of dirt and debris in the cabin (as with a cab) - as far as the weight is concerned, it isn't a concern, the weight difference from the coupe to targa is 138lbs. I also like the fact that a TARGA is RARE ! not many around, in my area (northern New Jersey) there are many Coupe and Cabs - No Targa's - One Up For Daddy. Anyway - which ever way you go, you can't go wrong, it's a Porsche for Pete's sake... enjoy and happy hunting...

Cab is fantastic. Still a better sports car with the top down than anything else I've driven without the drop-top. Think of it this way: With the top up, you're 95% a coupe. Still a stiff structure, no real squeaks or rattles, plenty warm when it's cold outside. But now imagine a 75 degree day. Sun is shining, perfect humidity, the best day for canyon carving. Drop the top, now you're in a different world altogether. Wind's in your hair (and your lady's), you can hear every burble of the exhaust, it's more like driving a 4-wheel motorcyle. Or a go-kart on serious steroids...

Another consideration I forgot to mention: You can get an all wheel drive cab, can't do that with a Targa... so It's almost the best of all worlds especially for cold weather/winter states in the NE.

My first thought is to get one of each ..but then reality sets in.. My first 911 was a cab (SC), loved the early morning drives up and down PCH.. My car was not a daily driver, so I didnt mind the rattles, squeeks and leaks of that older car. My choice would be a coupe. If you have ANY inkling (is that a word?) of desire for DE's or AutoX, get a coupe. My thoughts anyway..

I am coming from an E46 M3 cab, and for me the Targa seemed the best of all worlds. I am expecting my car to arrive next week. I took a targa from my local dealer out for a day on a test drive because I wasn't sure I would like it. I was pleasantly surprised that it surpassed my every expectation. You can find a used '02 or '03 with huge depreciation already out because people don't usually think about them. From having looked over the last month you can find dealers (usually end consumers ask more) selling '03s with an initial MSRP $86 - 90K in the $65K range. They have gotten these cars on trade or off early lease and have given about $58K for them. Dealer list high $70's but they will take your $65K and run. Dealers say people either go for the coupe or cab, and the Targa is a low demand item they are afraid will just sit on the lot. The car I am getting is a 2003 with 7K miles, loaded with a MSRP near $90K that the dealer listed for $79K that didn't blink twice taking $65k for it. Things that I liked about the Targa were: -that little bit of extra space / rear hatch at first seemed gimmicky but when I tried it seemed like it would make it easy to throw a couple of things in. Had much more space than the cab, due to lack of stow space for the top on the cab, and hatch gave more space than coupe. -much quieter when closed than cab -an amazing open feeling even with the top up -I was concerned about heat from with the top closed being I am in Texas. I was amazed at how efficiently the retractable sunscreen kept out the heat. -huge depreciation makes a low mileage 2003 very affordable -Porsche only makes about 600 a year of them -I (personally) think the form factor of the Coupe/Targa is more svelte than the cab with the roof up Things that I didn't like: -with the top open it is an open feeling with the windows down, but nowhere near the cabs. -absolutely no-one above 5' can sit in the back if the top is open

After reading all of your responses, I come to realize that this is, indeed, one very difficult decision. I'm leaning towards the Targa. Unless I find a really good deal on a C4. I think that will be the clincher. Living in the Northeast I'm really concerned about the winter months. This winter in particular left me stranded with my Boxster S. What is the concensus out there with respect to C2 Coupes in the Snow? If I can get around in a Targa during the winter months, then I might be sold on it. This will be my only vehicle...so I need to be confident that it can handle what Mother Nature throws it's way. Thanks again for all of your responses. You guys are the best!

I love the looks of the coupe and on sunny SOCAL days I open the sunroof and the windows and it feels and sounds like my old Targa. Drove the Ortega Hwy the other day with the car opened up and it was spectacular.

have you driven a lot of cabs? whey i lived on the east coast i road in a few soft time cars but did not like them b/c even when it was warm enough to have the top down it was usually humid and you got all sticky. living in az where there is basically no humidity an sunny year round...cab all the way having said this if you get a cab you can always op to get a hard top too!

I was you Jimmy, last Aug. I considered the C4 and wasn't hot on AWD and the slightly smaller back seat. I drove the Targa and Convertible too. I live in So CA and felt the Targa might present some unknown problems relating to the sun and leaks. As for the Convertible, it's a beautiful looking car, but AWD and contending with the elevated noise issues, and probably wouldn't have the top down all that often anyway, plus it has a slightly smaller back seat area..(I have one kid) and both my wife and I are avid golfers. I choose the Coupe and haven't looked back. If I was in snow country, I might have put the AWD higher on my preference list. But, I am in So CA and seldom visit the snow, so there you go. Good Luck...

Irrespective of what you settle on, you must get a beater....I have two P cars, and neither of them see snow, mostly because of the potential damage other drivers might do to them. My 996 is a C4 cab, but I don't drive it in the winter...... Get a beater.....These are real cheap.