C4/C2 cab or DB7 cab?

OK, I'm expecting a slight bias here, but I need a pleasantly fast cab that will largely be used by myself and occasionally by myself, other half and a young child. I have a Cayenne for hauling us around on a day to day basis, and so this would be a weekend only car. I want it to be enjoyable to drive, but it does have to serve the above requirements too. So questions that I have: Has anyone owned both? - objective assessment please How useful are the rear seats in a 911 (996) cab? Any other thoughts on both vehicles.

Rear seat uprights in 996 cab are vertical (unlike Coupe and Targa, which have some rake). Even small children will object.

I tested out an XK8 Cab before buying the C4. There was just no room that was usable in the XK8 at all. The rake was too steep and leg room minimal. Then I tried the XK8 coupe and that was not a lot better. The C4/C2 coupe is a lot better than most. The DB7 is very similar in room to the XK8 (Same floorpan) so I would guess that you might not feel happy using a cab for passengers. Personally I would treat the weekend car as one for you and your other half only. Also you have to consider the impact an accident would have on your loved ones in the rear.

I've only had the C4S cab so can't comment on the DB7 cab. Rear seats are of little use for a drive of any distance for an adult. I have a 5yr old and a 3yr old, though, who love being in the back. The 5yr old is on a booster seat and feels very grown up indeed because he is in a more normal seat. The 3yr old is in a Porsche Zoom seat which is (frankly) horribly expensive for a re-badged Britax but is the ONLY seat that would fit, due to the vertical backrest. I wouldn't take them on a long journey (say 1hr+) as I don't think they would find the backrest comfortable and their little tummies might find the ride unpleasant. But on the other hand, we have family transport to do that kind of journey. Not much info, but I hope its useful.

Whilst making your decision note that the Db7 has been slated in the press and doesn't really compare to the 996 as a driver's car. (For example: Evo magazine claiming the XK8 to be a more accomplished car than the DB7, and awarding the coupe version only 3 stars compared to the 996's 5 stars)

Thanks. Will have to have a look at both, and try them out. If all else fails guess I will get a Boxster S for me and an S4 Cab for when all need to travel.

As a 964 owner who is planning to buy either a 996 Cab or a DB7 cab, I am hugely interested in the article mentioned as being published in EVO comparing the above cars with an XK8. I rang EVO this morning and their back issues dept.had never heard of this article. Can you provide me with the date of the edition, or better yet, a copy of the article ? Steve.

Sorry Steve is no article....if you look at the back of an Evo magazine, they rate all the cars they've tested and provide a quick summary....the one for the DB7 '94-'99 states 'Bespoke image,svelte styling - An XK8 is more accomplished' followed by a three star rating.

The rear seat on a 911 (964 model anyway) Cab are extremely useful and my six year old (who is tall for her age) can and does sit happily in the back at all times, even when doing long distance, high speed, top down motoring in France or Italy. The 911 cab also has seats that are set down deep in the car so, even when she sits in the Porchse Prince car seat, she is not excessively exposed to windblast. Of course, remove the car seat and she'd be even more protected from slipstream, but the car seat does allow her to sleep comfortably. Whereas, whilst there is clearly more legroom for both rear and front seat passengers in a DB7 Cab, my daughter, even without the carseat, was very much more exposed to windblast, although the tiny rear windows of the DB7 do help a bit. This is obviously because the rear seats in the Aston are higher. SGLB