Please help us configure our new 2003 911

[zip]

Hi everyone!

My wife and I are buying a 2003 911 Cabriolet and are overwhelmed by all of the choices. We would love suggestions on "Must Have" features as well as items to avoid. We haven't decided on a color yet so suggestions there would be appreciated as well!

Please jump in and don't be shy we want to configure the ultimate fun vehicle and will probably load it up with features.

Thanks for your help

Phil

[addictionMS]

Here is what I have on my 2000

full leather
carbon fiber shifter and E brake
emblem delete on rear
18" wheels
good tunes, I have the 6 CD changer
Aero Kit

Would have liked to have

sport seats


good luck

Jim

[Brian993]

I didnt think Porsche made 911 any more. I know they have liquid cooled 996. I also know they are not 911. Hmmmmm I am a bit confused.

[speeder]

Well, I think that the whole beauty of factory ordering any new car is that you can have it built exactly the way that YOU want it; I can't for the life of me imagine how a bunch of strangers from around the world could help you spec-out YOUR car, much less suggest the color??

Unless of course the question is something along the lines of, "what would be the best resale color/option combination for this car, we only plan on keeping it for a year"....etc.

[TimT]

Why dont you save yourself a bucket of greenbacks and buy a real RS lightweight....?

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by TimT
Why dont you save yourself a bucket of greenbacks and buy a real RS lightweight....?

Perhaps because the last REAL RS lightweight to sell at auction went for MORE $$$$ than a new 996 Cab??? Even a loaded one?

[ZAMIRZ]

-full leather
-X51
-X7? suspension
-sideskirts
-crest in headrests
-silver crest
-new 18" five spokes (not sure what they're called, but NOT the 993 turbo look wheels)
-dark green metallic color
-carbon fiber on shifter/ebrake
-sport seats

[nostatic]

two words: zanzibar red

[david914]

An air-cooled engine maybe?

[autobonrun]

Not quite a feature of the car but taking delivery in Germany at the factory then shipping it back would be cool.

[pwd72s]

Perhaps a Cayenne would be a better choice?

[Hellgate]

First off you are asking the wrong list, try Rennlist. The PP folks have been brain washed by the SCWDP!!!

Sencondly, ask yourself what are you going to do with the car. Track time, Sunday cruiser, daily driver. From there make your decision.

On my '02 Coupe I decided to keep the options to a minimum for two reasons, I didn't want most of the options, I think the carbon and wood interiors are way ugly. And to save weight. No offense but a cab is about 200 lbs heavier than a coupe. If you fully option out the 996 it can weigh as much as 3600 lbs! (cab, C4, Tip, stereo, GPS, etc, etc, etc.)

For me simplicity, performance and aesthetics were the three drivers. My car is a daily driver and will see the track once broken in. My car weighs about 2950 lbs with the following options: Lapis Blue Exterior, Split Color Interior (gray with Metropol Blue carpet) (Hey, I had to get at least one option from Wishes.), Sport Suspension ($670) Such a deal!, CD Player (CD220) I can't believe they actually come with a cassette deck!, Rear Window Wiper, PSM. And the very best option was European delivery! Too cool!

I skipped the 18 inch wheels. Yeah they are a "cheap' option, $1350 for the 5 spoke Carrera wheels, but have you priced replacement tires??? Crazy!!! I'll buy a set for the track later. It's funny people ask me all the time about the stock 17"'s. A very cool and strong wheel. And with the Sport option you get the Pilot Sports instead of the Conti's.

I also skipped the various packages. Too expensive and too heavy (electric stuff), and nothing I wanted.

Options I wished I could get would be the new power package, $10,000, ouch! But you get 340 hp!

Good luck with your decision and take your time. I started last September and finally took delivery this June.

Have fun,

[pbs911]

If you want a 996, good on ya.

Most of the members here are air-cooled enthusists, so there is a bias.

Here is my must have list for a 996:
Wide body (this will retain its value much better than a standard);
Aero kit;
GT carbon fiber seats;
C2 drive train;
sport suspension option;
any engine performance modification available that adds HP(including a turbo if in the budget);
save wieght by losing all navigation and heavy power / heated seats/ massage seats, cruise control, electrical gagets, such as windows and door locks; and
get the cheapest wheels as a stock option and take them off the car when you get home. Then buy a set of 18 inch Fikse FM-10s and lower the car.

If you have the money, buy a car from RUF, or have the RUF mechanics flown over to prep your car.

AS for color, real Porsches only come in one color - BLACK.

[pwd72s]

A Turbo Cayenne would carry many golf clubs & tennis racquets...and, I hear they will be really fast....true, they don't come in a ragtop version, but they will have great air conditioning, plus every other luxury feature you could imagine.

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by zip
Hi everyone!



Please jump in and don't be shy we want to configure the ultimate fun vehicle and will probably load it up with features.

Thanks for your help

Phil

Hey, you guys...well, some of you, may think I'm kidding. I'm not. Just read the above line again. Are Phil and his wife Cayenne candidates or not?

[radcon]

Don't they charge some ridiculous price for that carbon fiber shifter/e-brake? I don't understand options like that. Makes it look very ricer-like to have all these interior pieces covered in carbon fiber. Isn't the point of carbon fiber to make things lighter? Then why cover things with extraneous carbon fiber trim?

[dtw]

Way to scare 'em away, boys.

[zip]

No! This is great, really, keep em coming

We are not in the market for an SUV we already have two of them, and this is the car my wife has been dreaming of. She will be the main driver and although the suggestions related to performance are appreciated, my wife is not going to be driving it hard.

This will be replacing her Mercedes SLK and she loves the whole convertible idea.

I am the gadget freak so, although it adds weight, I do like the high tech options that are available. We won't be racing it so it will be an around town vehicle.

Thanks for all of the great feedback

[Kurt B]

You guys are REALLY a pack of jerks!
What options: some yells out "An air cooled engine"
I'm rolling...man, this is a tough audience in here.

[Kevin Stewart]

Go look at every 996 that you can find and inspect the options first hand youll know the ones you want and the ones your wife wants, Kevin