Cabriolet dreaming?

[Canada Kev]

I don't know if it's missing a motorcycle or just the decent summer weather, but I seem to be having a hankering for a cabriolet of late.

So, what are their downsides? Yes, I know they're not as pretty with the top up as a coupe, but other than that...?

[JJ 911SC]

Well maybe;

* Leak in the rain if you are not moving

* Not as rigid (more body flex)

* Need a roll bar for DE & Track (mine is coming)

Go for it, you wont regret it and you should be able to drive it 11 months out of the year in Alberta...

Check; the ultimate cabriolet thread!

[zippy_gg]

Go for it, they are fun to drive with the top down! We have a 911 and a Saab 9.3 cabs and love them!
Downsides? Nah, I don't think so!

[pplkook]

Owning a Cab, there is one other significant thing I would add to the list

Vehicle Security - super easy to break into (if someone wanted).

It all comes down on how you are going to use it.

-Jack

[kidrock]

the electronic cabriolet tops can sometimes be a PITA if not well sorted. Also, in hot climates, the canvas and plastic window will get baked in short order if left outside for long periods.

[Dr J]

Well... In Miami weather, it's fantastic. Up north- I would think twice. I once took mine to a shop because of water leaking inside. He said: "It's a cab, you are going to get water, wind, and noise!" That said, I love mine which, by the way, looks like JJ 911SCs except in silver.

[pplkook]

Ohh, I forgot another thing...my hair does get messed up, and I always have to have sunglasses in the car....

For coastal central California, where it is 75 degrees plus or minus 10 degrees pretty much 9 months of the year...it is great. Being a 2nd car, I have never put the top up.

-Jack

[450knotOffice]

If you're planning to keep the Coupe, I'd say go for the addition of a Cabriolet. Driving with the top down in these cars is sublime.

[geoz]

Much better sound.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by geoz

Much better sound.

... of the year

Had to drive with the top up Wednesday night... I hate the sound.

I kept looking at all the gauges (lets not start a thread on that spelling... too each is own) like there was something wrong and there was... the top was up.

[rothaus]

This is the combination which works for me



Cheers

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Dr J

Well... In Miami weather, it's fantastic. Up north- I would think twice. ...

Actually, depending where you are in Canada, we can get about a good extended season. In Ottawa, we can go easily from April to November. This year should be good as the last snow was in Feb. I drove it out of storage in at the end of March.

If you are still with me... My major problem was a major depression, having dream about owning a Porsche since 1963 and having had my best summer of my life, last winter was horrible, but the medication, scissor lift (see post 6 of Hemi Roadrunner Scissor Lift) and now converting my garage to a heated so that Das babe will never leave me again should do the trick

[JeremyD]

Highly recommend one Kevin - there are a few sensory pleasures that everybody should experience in their life.

Driving a 911 air cooled cabriolet on a twisty, tree lined road is right up there with a track day in my book.

Nothing like getting off work, dropping the top and heading home.

Look for a manual top.

[911cabby]

Nothing better than dropping to top in a chinook and heading for a cruise through the rockies!

[Matt Monson]

Not affiliated in any way, but this popped up this morning:
Porsche 911 SC Cabriolet

Might be a good deal. Might not. Would be worth exploring for someone shopping for a cab.

[zippy_gg]

Originally Posted by Matt Monson

Not affiliated in any way, but this popped up this morning:
Porsche 911 SC Cabriolet

Might be a good deal. Might not. Would be worth exploring for someone shopping for a cab.

The scariest part of the ad was "I thought about sending it to Motor Meister (Motor Meister - Porsche Engine Rebuilder) in California for a complete rebuild of $400."
$400 for a complete rebuild???
Anyway, there no photos of the interior and the mileage was not disclosed, but the price is attractive and the car worth a look if shopping for a cab.

[Komenda Fan]

Well, make sure you drive a few and see if it is really what you want. I'd driven quite a few coupes when last summer I thought I'd start looking for a cabriolet. They are attractive, and open air is nice, but just my $0.02 - they are heavy and lack the visceral pleasure of the coupes, my personal experiences (87 Carrera, 91 964 and 2001 996) were better driven at 6/10ths than pushed, which I found just highlighted their compromises.

[450knotOffice]

True, unless one has gone down the route I've taken. Mine feels nowhere near as heavy as just about any other Carrera I've driven - Cab, Targa, or Coupe. But then again, mine's been lightened, stiffened, had the suspension rebuilt to stiffer specs, and has a SW chip and Cat bypass.

However, as has been said by Komenda, just about any normal Cab or Targa you drive will feel a bit heavier and softer - less precise than your coupe. For street and country driving though, it hardly matters when the top is down.

[Nine, Frau!]

A targa is a nice compromise between the coupe and the cab. I'm sure you considered that, though.

[kurt0811]

Just got back from a romp through some twisty, Bucks County, PA back roads with the top down, and I can say definitely.... a cab is the way to go. Yes, I know, in the winter it lives in the garage, so it is really not a practical DD, but for a fun summer/spring fall car, there is none better, IMHO. I looked at several targas, and my apologies to targa fans, not nearly as much fun. Love my cab !! Top down on a sunny summer day, it really doesn't get much better than that.