996 turbo cabriolet - Page 2 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

I've been looking at 996 turbo cabriolet prices now and they look extremely good value. Can someone tell me what they are like to drive as opposed to a regular 996tt. Also does anyone know what the ride is like compared to an e46 m3 convertible, is it a lot stiffer? I drive mostly in London with the odd weekend away so is the turbo cab suitable for use mainly in traffic or is the m3 better suited to such conditions. Im looking for the same level of comfort as my m3 but with a bit more pace and prestige. Thanks in advance.

Josh, You are asking people to give an opinion, when the only one that matters is yours. Drive the car. You can decide if it drives as well as you hoped, and is as comfy as you need.

unfortunately getting the opportunity to drive one is proving very difficult, my local OPC has none in stock and the only dealer i went to wanted a deposit for a 30 min test drive!

Hi, I bought a 911 Turbo Cab earlier this year. Super car, however mine has PCCB I've had issues with them since I picked up the car. Amazing power and very useable. Cheers Sunil

Sunil could you give me a bit more information, what is the ride like? is it comfortable for a long cruise etc? is the power actually usable in town?

ju6121 said: I've been looking at 996 turbo cabriolet prices now and they look extremely good value. Can someone tell me what they are like to drive as opposed to a regular 996tt. Also does anyone know what the ride is like compared to an e46 m3 convertible, is it a lot stiffer? I drive mostly in London with the odd weekend away so is the turbo cab suitable for use mainly in traffic or is the m3 better suited to such conditions. Im looking for the same level of comfort as my m3 but with a bit more pace and prestige. Thanks in advance. M3 is better for the commute. M3 has a better level of comfort. And the M3 has allot more space - adults can actually use the rear seats for longer journeys and boot space is almost double. As for speed,handling and prestige? The Porsche wins hands-down. They are over-priced at the moment and the 997 C2S Tiptronic Convertible seems the better option if you want a Porsche. Edited by Wanta996Gotta on Tuesday 7th October 13:12

ju6121 said: Sunil could you give me a bit more information, what is the ride like? is it comfortable for a long cruise etc? is the power actually usable in town?

ukwill said: ju6121 said: Sunil could you give me a bit more information, what is the ride like? is it comfortable for a long cruise etc? is the power actually usable in town? sorry meant as in is it too awkward to drive in start stop traffic....the m3 can be hard work sometimes driving around central london!

Hi, I drive to work 7 miles each way and it's very comfortable. It's a pretty smooth ride, however I'm comparing to my 993 with a sports suspension kit. The power ... Well mine is a girltronic, however plant your foot in to the floor and it's like sh*t off a shovel! PM me if you want more info. Cheers Sunil PS I think that it's onehellova car for the money. However there are times when I wish I'd bought a 360 spider.

ju6121 said: ukwill said: ju6121 said: Sunil could you give me a bit more information, what is the ride like? is it comfortable for a long cruise etc? is the power actually usable in town? sorry meant as in is it too awkward to drive in start stop traffic....the m3 can be hard work sometimes driving around central london! Drive one and see for yourself - doesn't have to be a ragtop to know how it drives. fwiw, there's so much torque available that it's probably as easy to drive around town as a bog standard ford focus/fiesta etc.

Mine is a tiptronic so no real issues there. I tend to sling it in "N" when stationary to save the pour old clutch.

citychap26 said: Hi, I drive to work 7 miles each way and it's very comfortable. It's a pretty smooth ride, however I'm comparing to my 993 with a sports suspension kit. The power ... Well mine is a girltronic, however plant your foot in to the floor and it's like sh*t off a shovel! PM me if you want more info. Cheers Sunil PS I think that it's onehellova car for the money. However there are times when I wish I'd bought a 360 spider. iv just mailed you Sunil, thanks for the information so far

citychap26 said: Mine is a tiptronic so no real issues there. I tend to sling it in "N" when stationary to save the pour old clutch. I asked the other day if the tip had a form of clutch and was told it had a torque converter. If it is the same type of torque converter I learned about in my mechanic training, many moons ago, there is no actual clutch so you are not saving anything. I think. Just thought you may like to know.

The one I drive has no issues at all. it's brilliant at doing everything (but a little boring, as it does everything with crushing efficiency). Happy in town, and returns late 20 mpg on a long run. Good sound system, never grinds on speed bumps, it's damn quick, (and being a tip), massively easy to launch when you need/want to. Negative points - it's not exciting to drive as a 997. Being over 6ft 3 I find the seating position irritating. But apart from that...

Don1 said: The one I drive has no issues at all. it's brilliant at doing everything (but a little boring, as it does everything with crushing efficiency). Happy in town, and returns late 20 mpg on a long run. Good sound system, never grinds on speed bumps, it's damn quick, (and being a tip), massively easy to launch when you need/want to. Negative points - it's not exciting to drive as a 997. Being over 6ft 3 I find the seating position irritating. But apart from that... That would be my only reservation , that its too efficient at what is does. The m3 while extremely capable as a daily drive still feels exciting when pushing on with the roof down and listening to that screaming engine towards the redline....

As other cars I drive include a V8 TVR and S6 TVR, the 911's engine note (as it is standard), reminds me of a heavy duty hairdryer. Sad, but true. (NB This is not a standard Pork Vs Tivver bashing comment. I'm just saying how I hear it, so please no-one get your knickers in a twist! )

I went from an M3 convertible to a 996 Turbo so I can give my opinion. I'm not about to tell you to go find out for yourself! You asked others for opinions so here is mine: My M3 convertible was great with the roof down. With the roof up? Crap. Better with the hard top, but its no coupe. The problem is an M3 convertible is basically a saloon car with no roof. My Turbo is a coupe. I couldn't afford the convertible so it wasn't an option for me. I did however drive a 997 cabriolet and if I'm honest, couldn't tell it apart from a coupe. I think the reason being that there's just not much roof on the car, so by removing it, it doesn't have such an effect as removing the much bigger roof on an M3. Of course try and get a drive in the Cabriolet. I'd be surprised if you don't buy one.

adaM3 said: I went from an M3 convertible to a 996 Turbo so I can give my opinion. I'm not about to tell you to go find out for yourself! You asked others for opinions so here is mine: My M3 convertible was great with the roof down. With the roof up? Crap. Better with the hard top, but its no coupe. The problem is an M3 convertible is basically a saloon car with no roof. My Turbo is a coupe. I couldn't afford the convertible so it wasn't an option for me. I did however drive a 997 cabriolet and if I'm honest, couldn't tell it apart from a coupe. I think the reason being that there's just not much roof on the car, so by removing it, it doesn't have such an effect as removing the much bigger roof on an M3. Of course try and get a drive in the Cabriolet. I'd be surprised if you don't buy one. interesting point....I never considered how a smaller car would feel with the roof down..

citychap26 said: PS I think that it's onehellova car for the money. However there are times when I wish I'd bought a 360 spider. No, you don't. Trust me. I'm just selling my 360 F1 spider at a thumping loss to get into a 997TT tip cab. The 7 mile commute to EC2 is no fun whatsoever in a 360 once the initial thrill wears off. The 360 just ain't a daily driver, at least not in London and not F1. I expect to do more miles in the 997 in the first month than I managed in a year with the 360, and I won't need two cars any longer.

citychap26 said: however mine has PCCB I've had issues with them since I picked up the car. not another one, what's the story Sunil?

Just seen this - http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/817420.htm I had been looking at the C4s cabs when i thought id compare apples and oranges. Now iv never been allowed red(family myth) so in turn have grown not to like anything red but very recently iv started seeing some cars in red that i like, for instance a bright red 599 and a 430 scud in a red very similar to this Turbo s. Anyone else like or dislike?

Bund said: Just seen this - http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/817420.htm I had been looking at the C4s cabs when i thought id compare apples and oranges. Now iv never been allowed red(family myth) so in turn have grown not to like anything red but very recently iv started seeing some cars in red that i like, for instance a bright red 599 and a 430 scud in a red very similar to this Turbo s. Anyone else like or dislike? Looks the biz in my opinion.

For what it is worth I went from a 996 cabrio to a 997tt and now have 997tt cabrio. The new generation 997 cabrios are much stiffer than the 996 cabrios, however relative to other cabriolets BMW, Audi at the time the 996 chasis still copes well with the roof cut off. You only notice the scuttle shake when you use the hardtop which came as standard on the 996. Unless you live in Scandinavia or Canada the hardtop is waste of time and very cumbersome to use as mine was never waterproof. The canvas roof is much better and copes with winter easily. The 997tt cabrio is a further step upwards and probably the best convertible chassis around. The fact that is is a bit less rigid than the 997tt coupe actually makes it go through corners better (sometimes) as the flex in the chassis just makes it hug the corner better than the tighter 997tt coupe chasis. I used my 996 cab for 4 years as a daily driver. It was a TipTronic (my first and last). Its fine for London commuting no problem. The cabin is simple, does rattle but not much goes wrong. I would definitely go for the post 2001 face lift. Its gets nicer wheels, a glass rear window with heating (important) and litronics.

dazco said: citychap26 said: Mine is a tiptronic so no real issues there. I tend to sling it in "N" when stationary to save the pour old clutch. I asked the other day if the tip had a form of clutch and was told it had a torque converter. If it is the same type of torque converter I learned about in my mechanic training, many moons ago, there is no actual clutch so you are not saving anything. I think. Just thought you may like to know. Correct. The box is a Mercedes autobox driven by a conventional fluid torque converter. No need to shift into N like say you do with a Maser CC. The car would sit happlily idling all day in D with no wear or detrimental effects to any of it.

Yeah i think so too. I keep looking at caterhams, the girlfriend reckons the CSL needs to go if im going to buy one and i need to get something more comfortable for everyday. I love the idea of PCCB's but after all the storys not sure i want a 45k mile car with them on. Also im hoping to get something even more special in a few months and im pretty sure the CSL will be easier to get out of than something like this, although the summer would be in so that may help? Edited by Bund on Sunday 22 February 10:57

Hi, Thanks for the info... Cheers Sunil

Ray Luxury-Yacht said: dazco said: citychap26 said: Mine is a tiptronic so no real issues there. I tend to sling it in "N" when stationary to save the pour old clutch. I asked the other day if the tip had a form of clutch and was told it had a torque converter. If it is the same type of torque converter I learned about in my mechanic training, many moons ago, there is no actual clutch so you are not saving anything. I think. Just thought you may like to know. Correct. The box is a Mercedes autobox driven by a conventional fluid torque converter. No need to shift into N like say you do with a Maser CC. The car would sit happlily idling all day in D with no wear or detrimental effects to any of it. Agree with what you are saying, but didn't Porsche stop using the Mercedes boxes in 02?

Callughan said: Ray Luxury-Yacht said: dazco said: citychap26 said: Mine is a tiptronic so no real issues there. I tend to sling it in "N" when stationary to save the pour old clutch. I asked the other day if the tip had a form of clutch and was told it had a torque converter. If it is the same type of torque converter I learned about in my mechanic training, many moons ago, there is no actual clutch so you are not saving anything. I think. Just thought you may like to know. Correct. The box is a Mercedes autobox driven by a conventional fluid torque converter. No need to shift into N like say you do with a Maser CC. The car would sit happlily idling all day in D with no wear or detrimental effects to any of it. Agree with what you are saying, but didn't Porsche stop using the Mercedes boxes in 02? No. Early cars ran with ZF boxes up till late 2001, then the facelift cars ran the Mercedes box. All the turbos ran the Mercedes box from day one.

clorenzen said: I would definitely go for the post 2001 face lift. Its gets nicer wheels, eh? how did wheels change, were always turbo IIs, no?

no faclift change there - an £800ish option on both pre and post cars

Ray Luxury-Yacht said: Callughan said: Ray Luxury-Yacht said: dazco said: citychap26 said: Mine is a tiptronic so no real issues there. I tend to sling it in "N" when stationary to save the pour old clutch. I asked the other day if the tip had a form of clutch and was told it had a torque converter. If it is the same type of torque converter I learned about in my mechanic training, many moons ago, there is no actual clutch so you are not saving anything. I think. Just thought you may like to know. Correct. The box is a Mercedes autobox driven by a conventional fluid torque converter. No need to shift into N like say you do with a Maser CC. The car would sit happlily idling all day in D with no wear or detrimental effects to any of it. Agree with what you are saying, but didn't Porsche stop using the Mercedes boxes in 02? No. Early cars ran with ZF boxes up till late 2001, then the facelift cars ran the Mercedes box. All the turbos ran the Mercedes box from day one. That's it, I got it the wrong way round they also used Bosch for the electronic control but was designed by Porsche. So wouldn't the early turbos '2000' use the old box with 5 shift patterns.

On the Turbo for commute question I have a turbo coupe it is a tip and is absolutely perfect for commuting. no problems in traffic and a joy to drive, dont get much opportunity to use the power in town but then you dont get the opportunity to use the power of a ford focus in town so if that were your criteria buy a smart car. no it when you get out of town on the weekend that the car comes alive! On the Tiptronic boxes comments I read a post recently about the ZF boxes had a maintenance schedule that suggested replacing the fluid every 90k miles or something, this apparently was a little abitious and there have been reports of failed boxes before that milage. I have a newer mercedes box with a similar maintenance schedule, suffice to say I just had my OPC change the fluid and filter at the last service 47k on the clock. Nevyn

What a stunner. Exceptionally rare factory PTS British Racing Green https://www.elferspot.com/en/car/porsche-996-carre... interior is mint

17 years too late and not a Turbo!

simonsti said: 17 years too late and not a Turbo! The poster seems to have a track record of resurrecting ancient threads. This one is particularly desperate / strange though.