Coupe v Cab?

I'm thinking about chopping in my '99 C4 Coupe for a later model Cabrio. Obviously I realise that the Cab weighs a few kilos more and is probably not as stiff but is there anyone out there who's got experience of both and can tell me if there are any significant performance and handling differences? Are the rear seats less usable than a Coupe? How about headroom? Is the hardtop worthwile?

driven both. I have a 99 C2 with some suspension and exhaust mods etc. my old marketing director had a 2000 C2 cab. both are 3.4 models so pre face lift. the coupe felt a lot sharper and taughter and less prone to sctuttle and shake. his cab was tip so not a big fan of it and it felt a lot softer as well. his had a std pipe etc so it felt restricted comapred to mine but then mine had better breathing. mind you great for the summer and it looked nice all in black with the GT3 sport line wheels like mine. in terms of performance then it was down a bit and it did not feel as sharp on the turn in and a bit more wobbly. plus mine is a manual and that is what I prefer so the cab felt a bit lazy and longer geared. if you went for a post 2001 cab then you would have the 3.6 lump so it would perform better. guess it depends on what experience you want my man got to be worth a change and a great time to buy a cab now in time for the summer! give it a try as you won;t lose a huge amount. if you can stretch to the C4S cab then you have a sweet sweet motor then! C4S is my next target or a GT3...if I can live with it!

I had a 964 Coupe and a 964 Cab, then a 993 Coupe and a 993 Cab. In both cases the Coupes were noticably more rigid than the cabs. This is reflected in less rattles, better ride and better handling. I owned two 996 Coupes, but not Cabs, although Porsche Cars did lend me a 996 C4 Cab and a 996 C4S Cab for a couple of weeks each. These were better than the earlier generation cars but, IMO, the Coupe (C2) handled and rode better, had better rear seat accomodation and was less prone to rattles. I also think the Coupe looks much better with the classic sweeping roofline. I think the cab looks best with the hood up (roof down or hardtop on, just it doesn't look quite right). Boxster looks better. Having said all of that, a 911 with the roof down on a warm day, on the right roads, is spectacular. With my old ones, that had the non-recessed roof, I used to think , I don't care how silly this looks, it sounds and feels great.

I went from a coupe to a Cab, next car is back to a coupe...(mrs if having the cab) The coupe I agree is the prettier car, but you already know that.. Yes, the cab has a little scuttle shake, but its not massive amounts..if you were going to track the car alot then I'm sure you'll feel the difference, I however don't track my car and so never really have found it to be lacking, OK there are times that the road moves and dips and I think perhaps the coupe would of felt a bit firmer though the bend, but the open top (if that your thing) more than makes up for it... Performance wise, not noticably slower, but the extra noise you can hear with the roof down is worth an extra few bhp [ ] The rear seat backrests in the cab are far more upright than the coupe, but with small children still usable (I've still had grown men in the back)[ ]. But the headroom does play a little into that. I've only ever had the hardtop on during collection so can't comment on that... If I was to buy a Porsche open top again, and didn't require the 4 seats, I would suggest that the new boxster is better money... but as I'm sure someone will point out...but not a 911 garyw

The only issue between the pre and post facelift Cabs (which annoys me intensely) is the fact that the pre facelift cars have a plastic rear window. I've researched the possibility of swapping it for a glass one as is available aftermarket for the early Boxsters but it's not possible. If you get a pre-facelift, you'll need the hardtop for winter with its heated rear screen.

The biggest negative I have found with cabs., is more annoying squeaks and rattles. This sounds petty, but can drive me nuts! With regards to your other questions In the real world there is no difference in performance at all. The rear seats are fine UNLESS you want the wind deflector fitted, then they are US, & you will want a wind deflector. It definitely isn't as good to "drive" as a coupe on your favourite twisty road, even stiff Porkers do flex & shimmy some what when you press on down your favourite bumpy B road.....BUT it can more than makes up for this by allowing you to feel the wind in your hair (if you have any!) and the exhaust in your ears. On a warm sunny day with the roof down it is very hard to beat, in fact fanflippentastic. On a wet day with roof up & extra squeaks and poor rear visability it can be a headache! The roof is so well insulated that you will unlikley to use a hard top, anyway what's wrong with the roof down on sunny winters day with the heater blasting out. UK 996's came with a hard top as part of their standard spec. As Gary said a 987 BoxsterS is a great choice if you don't need the rear seats. All wise stuff from the other guys, hope my two pennies worth helps.

Grant, the rear seats are different. The back rest in particular is slightly further forward and almost vertical, whereas the Coupe and, I believe, Targa are raked. Even for small children this makes a difference to the amount of space and comfort in the rear.

Well spotted Oliver, but there is very little difference, the rears are pretty tight in cab & coupe, it's the windstop that is the big hassle as far as I see & you do really need one if you want to keep your hair! Without = 0-bald if 5.2 seconds!

Not had a coupe but as an owner of a 993 and ex owner of a 996 cab I can only say that I loved them and am about to take delivery of a 997 cab. Northing quite like driving a 911 on a warm day with the roof down. Feels great. As previously said, the coupe we all know looks better.

Love the Cab Never worry about looks - you should see the wife[ ]

mine or yours??????

Get a cab - truly excellent motoring. I can honestly say that I don't get much squeaking / or rattling at all - and if there is its hardly noticeable. There is no better feeling than wind in the hair (sorry - in my case scalp) motoring, with all the smells and sounds that make the whole experience come alive! A great to be alive feeling - not to mention its great for posing!

I would add to everyone singing the praises of the cabriolet, one you've driven one you'll never want a non cabrio again. There's nothing like coming out on a sunny day a putting the roof down. Would though recommended that if you buy one, go for a facelift car if you can with the glass rear window and also get the wind deflector, make the car more usable more of the time wth the roof down. Heated seats are also a good idea so even if its not that warm, as long as the suns out you can put the wind deflector up and the heated seats on an just enjoy.

Buy the cab for the SOUND OF THE ENGINE

Get a Targa. Nice and light inside; the rear window is actually a hatch and makes it almost practicle as it can take 2 sets of golf clubs (much better than the Cayman I tried), stiffer boby than a cab and more exclusive. Love it.

I have thought about about the Targa and golf clubs are an issue although I was'nt going to mention them for fear of being flamed. I'm not familiar with the way the Targa roof works. Does it just slide back under the rear hatch and what holds it in that position? Does it flex and rattle when it's open? Presumably when the roof is open you can't access the rear compartment through the hatch? Any other downsides to a Targa?

One set of clubs will easily go on the folded back seats of the cab (but need to take woods out of the bag). Have got two sets on the back seat before although its a bit more hassle.

CABS RULE OK [ ]

Click on this link for more thoughts on Targa's, http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=151089 Also you can do a search through the 996 section for Targa, plus Cabriolet, should give you plenty of reading material!