1988 911 convertible question

[psc]

Hi, I have owned coupes and never convertibles but have a chance to pick up a 88 911 convertible. I was wondering if anyone could give me the pros and cons to a convertible? I appreciate any insights anybody might give.

[cellison]

Pro - Top goes down.

Con - sometimes the top doesn't go up and it is not a rigid as coupe.

2 different driving experiences.

[Macroni]

noise....... they are noisy.....

[NYNick]

Price. Cabs typically sell for less than coupes, because everybody considers themselves race car drivers and coupes are stiffer. Personally, I'm betting the population of people who can feel the difference is small, although they'll all tell you they can.

[mattC2993]

I was talking to someone about getting an open car recently. They said they are not good in a lot of conditions including traffic, cold, hot sun, etc. However, nice summer evenings on the open roads are great. I'm betting that the top stays up most of the time.

[BlueJaybird]

Originally Posted by mattC2993

I was talking to someone about getting an open car recently. They said they are not good in a lot of conditions including traffic, cold, hot sun, etc. However, nice summer evenings on the open roads are great. I'm betting that the top stays up most of the time.

Says the guy living in Edmonton!! I grew up there and enjoyed the 2.5 months of summer weather. I'd have a cab in the sunny Okanagan.

Go Oilers!

[Christien]

I drove a coupe for 12 years and sold it to buy a cabrio. I LOVE putting the top down. Mine's a manual top so one less thing to break. Takes all of 10 seconds to put it down or up. It's actually quieter than my coupe, but that has a lot to do with carburetors and sport exhaust on the coupe. The only real noise you notice is at highway speeds there's some air sound at where the top meets the top of the windshield frame. I've never understood the whole complaint about noise anyway - if you want quiet, buy a Honda.

I do like the lines on a coupe better, but there's nothing like driving on a nice road with the top down on a sunny day. Stiffness, weight, pfff. Not important unless you're at the track.

[Nachtfalter]

I'm weird, I think cabs look cool with the top down. Love them.

[mattC2993]

Originally Posted by BlueJaybird

Says the guy living in Edmonton!! I grew up there and enjoyed the 2.5 months of summer weather. I'd have a cab in the sunny Okanagan.

Go Oilers!

I'm looking for a nice 986 Boxster S in red or silver to enjoy during those 2.5 months

[87maniac]

I wonder if 911 cabs will be valued more
than coupes at some point, like the 356.

I'm bringing back a low miles survivor '83.
New German top was $$$$$, orig. Fuchs restored,
now that's done,
waiting for some spring weather to enjoy.

Photo- w/ old original top:

[pingpong]

87maniac, nice SC but please without that wing.


psc, depending where do you live?

i am in sunny Scottsdale AZ and always, always have the top down.

Sure coupes look better in the rain, if you like the rain.

Christien makes a good points, love the top down and i prefer manual cabs, as in cheaper to maintain.


Nachtfalter, yes i agree love the looks with the top down.

mattC2993 for Edmonton Canada, LOL

Macroni, usual i like your comments but please when the top is down its all about to enjoy, depending where you live. And yes it makes more noise so what? like riding a bike/mc, not sitting in a cage with the radio playing, airco and/or heating on, hair perfect when arrive.

[psc]

I appreciate everyone's input. I am definitely leaning towards purchasing the convertible as I live in sunny Florida.

[COLB]

Originally Posted by mattC2993

I was talking to someone about getting an open car recently. They said they are not good in a lot of conditions including traffic, cold, hot sun, etc. However, nice summer evenings on the open roads are great. I'm betting that the top stays up most of the time.

I have an 88 Cab -- and rarely drive it with the top up. Usually when it is really cold, or I get caught in the rain.

I took the time & effort to rehab the A/C, which is nice when it is hot and I put the top up if the sun is beating down.

Mine is a manual top, so no trouble. I put a new top on it, and I've never had an issue with leaks -- but the car is garaged.

Unless you intend on tracking the car, road racing, or drive at 9/10ths on mountain roads the difference in weight and stiffness between a cab & coupe is probably irrelevant.

It is a GREAT car.

[Macroni]

Originally Posted by pingpong

Macroni, usual i like your comments but please when the top is down its all about to enjoy, depending where you live. And yes it makes more noise so what? like riding a bike/mc, not sitting in a cage with the radio playing, airco and/or heating on, hair perfect when arrive.

Live in Pennsylvania..... we only get at most four good months to enjoy.... the other eight months the car was hard to live with in relationship to a less windy coupe. Now if you were asking about a 356 my answer would change.

[NYNick]

Originally Posted by psc

I appreciate everyone's input. I am definitely leaning towards purchasing the convertible as I live in sunny Florida.

I have a Cab (alright a 997tt) in Florida and the top stays down 90% of the time.

[techweenie]

I am a big fan of convertibles. Yes, the top stays up 60% of the time, but in the 40% of driving conditions when you want the top down, there's no substitute for being able to do so.

[mdu968]

Being the owner of a coupe, targa and cab, I would go for the cab. For pleasure driving, a long drive on a beautiful day or night with the top down can't be beat.
The coupe looks better and might drive marginally better but unless you're doing the track thing, the cab is the way to go.
I love my old 1982 targa but taking off/putting on the top is a PIA so the top stays off except winter storage. With the cab, you push the button and the top takes care of itself. I even drive my cab in the winter if its not snowy or salty out there.

[dad911]

The only 911 I regret selling was the '87 cab.

However, given today's market, I've considered getting another boxster to scratch that convertible itch.

[soundbehindyou]

Had an 88 cab in Scottsdale for about 8 years.....always had it in garage with top down and never drove it if it was raining......when I went to sell the 27k mileage car and put the top up, one of the automatic catches was broken...on further discovery the plastic window was perfect but all the stiching was breaking around the plastic window....so, I had a new top put on, and the mechanics fixed before selling........I did like the top down feel no doubt, but after 10 minutes in the sun anytime of year, it was cooking me.....BUT top down ride is special. IF YOU BUY A CAB, STORE IT WITH TOP UP...IT WILL KEEP IT STRETCHED OUT AND LESS LIKELY TO HAVE PROBLEMS.

[azzarule]

Have an 85 cab, a 72 coupe and a 356 coupe, I love my cab, it is sitting in the garage top down with a cover all the time, any warm day it is ready to roll, on reallly hot days, a/c on full blast, on cold days, heater going full blast! Rainy days, she stays inside. Simple.