Living with a Cabriolet??

[jtfreels]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to by my first Porsche and it will be my daily driver (barely 20 miles a day). I'm 6 foot, I'd like some feed back from cab owners on any negatives. I know with the top down there is plenty of head room...... but whats it like with the top up?

Any other info would be appreciated, I'm looking at 3.2 Carreras in general.

Jay

[gost]

Hello Jay. I own a 85 Cab and am 5'11" and have no head room problems at all. Negatives? Not many. The A/C could be a bit stronger stock but hey, it's a Cab so who cares. Parts and maintenance are a bit pricey especially labor if you don't do the work yourself so I hope you are inclined. Check the forum archives on the model, do a search and loads of info comes up. I absolutely love mine!
Make sure you get PPI (pre-purchase inspection) from a reliable shop that specializes in Porsche's.

Good luck!

[89turbocabmike]

Jay, I'm just shy of 6 ft and there is plenty of room with the top up. If there are any negatives it would be a bit larger blind spot in your rear quarters and a bit more maintenance possiblilities because of the top itself and plastic rear window. These of course are more than offset as long as you drop the top. Mine is a daily driver and the top is down most of the time. Make sure though not to leave it down for more than a day(factory recommends this too) as the plastic window doesn't like it.

[keagy]

Steve, I'm 6'2" and easily fit into my 911 speedster which has a lower roof than a standard cab. Germans build cars for big people.

There are no negatives unless you want to track your car (coupes are better for the track). There is nothing like hitting the twisties with the top down.

[84CAB]

Welcome aboard Jay. I am in Collierville, you can come by and check out my car for clearance before you buy one. Also,it might be for sale soon.

[imcarthur]

As 89turbocabmike pointed out, the top does require some care. Best to stick with a manual top if possible as the electric ones can be nightmares.

You should always unzip the window when you lower the top. Then lay it flat & smooth. I also put a towel on top of it so the top doesn't scrape by it as it goes down.

You should always take the time to put the boot cover on to prevent wind damage.

When putting down the top, take the time to push the floppy rod into the fabric to create a nice fold point.

Wash with soap occasionally & every couple of years treat it with a silicone waterproofing spray (tent stuff will work).

Only clean the window with clear water or a proper clear acrylic cleaner.

Never put the top down wet.

Ian

[twin plugged targa]

I had very bad experiences with my 86cab!
Sorry to be neagtives but bad points in my opinion:
VERY nosiey for long drives
damp- hard to get good seals- check carpet and floor for rust/dampness- this is where your ECU-Brain i located!!!!!!! meaning and inch of water on the cockpit floor and the $600 brain is toast!.
Theft security or lack thereof!
A/C is probabley less effective do to insulation and seals
Certain clubs/tracks may not let you drive without a roll bar ( maybe get a bolt in!)

Good points - driving along with the wind in your hair!
Pose factor- V High- chick love em!

Personally I would NEVER have a Cab for a daily driver- but thats just me
Sorry cab owners but I did really have a bad experience with mine!
Rgds Ben

[imcarthur]

As Ben points out, seals can be a problem. And they are expensive. Door window to top seals have gone up 60% in the last year. I know, I need some. And they can leak along the top window seal. Mine drips a bit in heavy rain or direct hose spray.

And cabs do creak more than a coupe with the top up. Less structural rigidity etc etc. Targas ditto for this & the leaks.

But when you put the top down, it is magic. The engine sound, the wind & sun . . . instant FUN that the coupe can't replicate. No substitute y'know?

Ian

[84CAB]

VERY noisy for long drives

damp- hard to get good seals- check carpet and floor for rust/dampness- this is where your ECU-Brain i located!!!!!!! meaning and inch of water on the cockpit floor and the $600 brain is toast!.

Sure, its a 20 year old car..I replaced the Cab seals in mine and there is no wind noise at all with the top up. When you wash it you have to be careful spraying water right at the windows but it is fine in the rain. I'm sure there are a lot of old Coupes and especially Targas out there that leak as well.

[jtfreels]

Thanks for the info guys. Sounds like might work size wise
Other than size, my other concern is the operation of the top, seems like some good advice on that, hadn't though about seals.

Nice car 84cab, I'm actually in Collierville too, trying on for size would be nice.

One other question, rear seats....... Part of my daily driving is carrying kids to school, can a healthy 14 year old (say 5' 5") fit in the rear with the top down for about 6 miles?

Thanks

[gost]

Jay, also a cosideration is the fact that the power top feature was first available in 87 I believe. My 85 has the manual top and although it's not all that difficult to put up and down and I'm only using it in nice weather and occassionaly, it would be a bit of a pain if it was my daily driver. Having a power top would be sweet in your case!!

[Gene-o]

Originally posted by jtfreels
One other question, rear seats....... Part of my daily driving is carrying kids to school, can a healthy 14 year old (say 5' 5") fit in the rear with the top down for about 6 miles?

Thanks

I rode to college in my friend's '66 SWB 911 back in the early 80's. It wasn't bad, not much headroom, it was about a half hour ride. Knee room was tolerable. I was 5'6" and about 175lbs back then. I'm still 5"6" but I ain't 175lbs anymore!

Gene DiGennaro
Baltmore, Md.

[JeremyD]

Tops - a good sealing top is a key benefit. I can talk on the cell phone up to 100 in mine with the top up. My Targa was only quiet enough up to 60. Mine is a 1987 - original top and seals.

If you are looking for a Cab - look for a manual top. Probably the best piece of advice I got from my wrench. The electric tops are expensive to fix - have to be in good adjustment - and if the top starts twisting - you can pull out the top mechanism from the metal door jamb - I've seen the carnage.

Kids - fit fine in the back. If they are going to be there everyday I would upgrade to the rear three point seat belts - available aftermarket.

I'd focus on the 1987 to 1989 3.2 carreras - great cars - they seem to have hit the bottom of the depreciation curve.

For show:

For Go:

[JeremyD]

Check out the latest copy of Excellence - there is a buyers information section - this months it covers up to the 3.2 carreras.

[jtfreels]

Originally posted by Gene-o
I rode to college in my friend's '66 SWB 911 back in the early 80's. It wasn't bad, not much headroom, it was about a half hour ride. Knee room was tolerable. I was 5'6" and about 175lbs back then. I'm still 5"6" but I ain't 175lbs anymore!

Gene DiGennaro
Baltmore, Md.

Thanks, and hey its a teen ager, should be glad to ride in a Porsche no matter a little discomfort

Jay

[jtfreels]

Originally posted by Jeremy964
Check out the latest copy of Excellence - there is a buyers information section - this months it covers up to the 3.2 carreras.

I saw that on their web site, been checking the local book stores, it hasnt hit our market yet.

I've ordered the Zimmerman book, it should be here any day now.

Jay

[Sonic dB]

Well...I drive my 86 Cab, with manual top...about 3000 miles per month. It has been a wonderful car. There is a little wind noise but not bad. The car does not leak water as someone elses here did.

There is a bit of a blindspot when backing out of tight parking spots surrounded by SUVs. This is on the rear passenger side, so be careful.

Headroom is fine. Sport seats are desirable if you have an athletic build.

Get the cab, you are gonna love it!

[84CAB]

Jay -Sent you a PM. Elvis

[johndglynn]

Watch for wind noise, make sure your test drive gets you up to speeds as fast as you would normally cruise at. The cab rides a little softer and is not as settled in fast bumpy conditions as the coupe, not huge amounts but enough to notice the difference if you like to press on.

I run a narrow-bodied SC cab, no electric seats or roof so nice and light, punchy 3-litre motor with the proper 915 gearbox means it leaves stock later 3.2's behind up to 100 and beyond. I daily drive it at the minute and I absolutely love it, as do my kids. If you can live with the increased wind noise and the slight difference in driving feel to a coupe then buy one, they are fantastic.

[930addict]

I love mine. I think all the major points have been mentioned but I'll use this as another excuse to post pictures of my car.