911 Cab Question

[rdk409]

Guys,

As some of you know, I'm a newbie looking to getting into the Porsche world. I've been looking at cars on the internet and I see a TON of converts. Is there a reason other than there are just a lot of Porsche Cabs sold? Should a newbie stay away from a convertable and stay with either a targa or coupe? How much is it to replace a top if need be?

As usual thanks guys.

[buttjoint]

All depends if ya want a lid or not"

[mjshira]

there is no reason to stay away from a cab. you will want to check it out as with any Porsche purchase and this board is a great starting point. You need to determine what you want to use your car for. Is this a track car? is it a street car? weekend car? If you want a track car, you can use a cab, but you might consider the coupe. So give us some more info so we can assist.

[rouxroux]

Simple...with spring here, thoughts turn to "open-top" driving for impulse buying (seasonal spike, like boats)

[MattAlpha]

I enjoy mine quite a bit. I live in the Monterey area so the weather is almost always nice --- cab weather.

I will be moving back to the east coast this fall. Summers in VA will be great when I can have the top down and its not raining. Unfortunately that will be about 15% of the time. The rest of the time I'm going to bake in my A/C-less cab.

Just something to think about.

My 911 is my daily driver right now, it will not be in VA.

Good luck shopping,
Matt

[DavidI]

I have a cab and love it. Of course this is SoCal for me. As everyone will suggest, have a qualified mechanic do a Pre-Purchase Inspection.

Good luck, David

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by JeremyD
Cabs rule =

For Show


For Go:


What other car can do that?

Of course, I like em all - had a Targa - loved it - now a Cabriolet - (with a DAS rollbar for the track) - and maybe someday a coupe.

IMHO - Sportscars are raw, open cars, bugs in your teeth, wind in your face with the buzz of the engine in your ear and the slipping of the wheels feeling in the seat of your pants.

[MRM]

More than half of all new 911s sold are cabs, so most of the ones up for resale are going to be cabs. Some people want a hard top over their heads. I already have a Toyota Camry. When I drive my Porsche I want some wind in my hair.

[450knotOffice]

I agree with everything Jeremy and MRM say!

I will note, however, that if you think you might track the car, the coupe is a stiffer platform than the Cab/Targa (those two share the same chassis). It also doesn't need a rollbar to attend DE track days (non-racing, fun days at the track). The Cab does. That shouldn't stop you however, as there are plenty of guys on this board who track their Cabs and have a blast doing it. I've tracked my 996 coupe four times since October and have become hooked, however, I'll be installing a rollbar in the Cab and using that car as my fun track car pretty soon.

There is something to be said about driving with the top down that the drivers of coupes will never know. The beautiful sound of the engine is RIGHT THERE, the wind is all around, you look around and up and all you see is sky!



You can have as much fun doing this in a Cabriolet as you can in a Coupe:

[WPOZZZ]

I'm a cab guy and there is nothing like a nice drive with the top down! After the drive, you feel so alive and energized. Btw, you may see alot of 996 cabs, but few SC and 3.2 cabs as not many were made.

[rdk409]

This will be my year round daily driver and I'll have to purchase (because of my budget) a mid to late 80's car.

I guess I'm concerned because a good number of the cars for sale in my price range are Cabs. I'm wasn't sure if people are buying them and then not being happy with it.

How often do the tops need to be replaced? Also, do the motors fail on them very often? Do the tops require any special care?

THX

[450knotOffice]

Mine's a manual top so I can't answer about motor failures.

As for price, typically Cabs will end up selling for a couple thousand more than Coupes, all else being equal (not less, unless something is wrong).

Also, if this will be your daily driver, you may be better off with a Coupe. Cabs and Targas have more of a tendency to leak in heavy rain (although Jeremy might disagree with that).

[JeremyD]

My top is original - so 20 years -

Like everything porsche - you take care of them and they last - don't and you pay.

[MattAlpha]

I agree with JeremyD, if you take care of it, it will last.

So you should be concerned if the PO took care of it. As previously mentioned the PPI is very important (I made the mistake of not getting one, but I was fairly fortunate in the end), take a look at all the areas of the car. Check for cleanliness under the seats, in the trunk (open the smuggler's box) and esp in the engine compartment. That will tell you a lot about the PO. Also insist on driving the Cab with the top up and listen for any whistling or so forth that will indicate the seals are not sealing properly. Also have the PO put the top down (do not do it yourself). If all of this checks out, then have the PPI done.

-Matt

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by 450knotOffice
Cabs and Targas have more of a tendency to leak in heavy rain (although Jeremy might disagree with that).

Thankfully neither my Targa nor my Cab leaks... YMMV

[SCWDP911]

I am not far from you, near Memphis Tennessee. I bought my 83 cab to be a daily driver with some spunk. Because our winter's here get maybe one snow a year, not much by way of road nasties to mess up your car. My poor truck sat most oif the winter, except when I needed to take tha trash, or haul something large. Honeslty, I think I am more worried about summer driving here, due to the rather plentiful supply of bugs! Luckily, mine came with a bra. Being that you are in Tejas, I would think you have to worry more about the bugs hitting you in the face or putting a dent in your new Porsche!

I had a first year Miata. It was fun to drive. I went without a cab for 3 years when I sold it. Now I have a first year 911 cab/last year SC. I love mine. My top is original, and although it needs to be replaced sometime soon, it is only because of cosmetics... it still does not leak!

Gratuitous pic to follow. Good luck!

[charleskieffner]

i was told............."you cant race a cab!" well to that i say..........EAT ME!

[jdowty3]

my first question would be - Do you have a garage to keep it in and a second vehicle available?
you don't mention what year your looking at but most older 911 Cabs will leak atleast a little even with a new top and replacing the seals (which can be $$), especially in a torential Texas downpour. I love my Cab and it was great when I lived in Dallas. I might opt for a coupe now that I live in Michigan where the spring and fall tend to be a bit more damp.

[Macroni]

I have had my 87 cab for the past 8 years. It is a 2nd car, non-tracked. My previous Porsche, also an 87 was a sun roofed coupe. As a daily driver I preferred the coupe. My main issues with the Cab are the rattles when driving with the top up. The car in general is noisier. I live in the northeast and the weather provides less opportunity for open air motoring.

I have had to repair the top twice over the years, once an electrical issue once for maintenance. This cost roughly 1k. My top is in good condition but the window is beginning to cloud and needs polishing. The roof liner dry rotted and the lined window seals need replacement. This is a 20 year top and I am sure this is to be expected. Top down....no issues.

Marketplace: There seems to be some real values [17k to 25k] for low mileage 80s vintage cabs currently. My theory is they are mostly secondary vehicles.

I have recently purchased another coupe with the idea of taking the car to the track.

[dfink]

All proud members of Cabriolet Racing And Performance group better known as C.R.A.P.
As others have said get it checked out but the cabs are actually built better. Have more bracing, better motor mounts, a torque rod on the motor. Perhaps not the ultimate race car but can still made to go faster than most can drive and when done it's easier to get out.
Don't think a cab can't play in the rain - think again as indicated below. Me a couple years ago. Gets those hidden spots in the wheel wells real purdy.