I've been looking at 996s and reading this forum for about 6 months. A local dealer (Baltimore area) has the following '03 cab for sale:

Seal grey
6 speed
37,000 miles
Porsche certified – runs through April ’09
Full leather
Lumbar support on driver’s seat
Self Dim Mirrors and Rain Sensor
Hard top
Wheel caps
PSM
Power seats
Heated Seats
Windstop
High end bose sound
18” alloys
Xenon lights
Brand new P-Zeros

They were kind enough to let me drive the car this weekend and to work today.

I previously drove a Boxster S (2000), and have been without a sports car for a few years. I'm ready to move up to a 911.

This car is in very good shape, and has just about every option I would want. And, I really like seal gray.

While it won't be my daily drive, I do want to use it often. However, after a few days of driving it in cold weather, either I forgot how rough the Boxster rode (which also had 18" wheels with P-Zeros), or there's something else going on with this car. On anything but perfect roads, it feels like I'm driving on tires made of bricks. I realize the low profile P-Zeros don't do well when they're cold, but even after the tires had warmed up, the ride is VERY rough, even on decent road surfaces. And, there are a lot of interior rattles, mostly coming from the top (I had the soft top up, not the hard top). I'm sure the car will be great on warm days with the top down, but I'm not sure if I could enjoy it on cold days if the ride quality and rattles are as bad as they were today.

So - - for those of you who drive your cars in the winter - is this what I should expect, or is it possible that there's something else wrong?

Lastly, the dealer has cut the price to the "low 50s" and seems willing to go even lower if I make the move now. The most recent auction results show a wide range of prices for '03 cabs (from the high $30s to the high $40s, just under $50k). The dealer tells me that it cost them $2k to get it Porsche certified, plus another $1,500 for new tires. If I decide to go with this one, any thoughts on what the right price is? Lastly, any other thoughts on what else to check out before possibly buying this vehicle.

Looking forward to becoming an active member of this forum as an owner!

SMR

 

I just swapped my 18" P-Zeros off the car for winter rubber. The P-Zeros are awful in the cold, but then they are not designed for it.

When the temperatures dropped below 30ish here the car became very skittish, i was on occasion with my heart in my mouth and I significantly changed my driving style.

Now that I have Blizzaks on, the car is handling like normal.

P-Zeros are great in the warmer temperatures but they are like bricks (of ice) when it's too cold.

 

Spiderv6 is correct, the summer tires are louder and rougher riding in cold temps.
Winter tires will be somewhat smoother and quieter in the cold temps.
However, remember these cars are 'sportscars' not 'GT' touring cars. The ride in general is rough, and loud as compared to other cars. With the colder temps, and the rigid structure of these cars, it is common to have a more rattle and squeeky car.

 

My '02 cab soft top is also prone to rattles and squeeks; such is the nature of the beast, I'm afraid.

As for the price, low fifties for an '03 CPO seems fair. The CPO and tires are expensive... but then again, what are the chances they'll move this car in the next 3 months? Slim, I'd say. Bargain hard!

Oh - and I drive my P-zeros year-round (I don't drive in the snow) and the little suckers never do seem to warm up when it's below 50.

My car is slate gray, a little darker than seal, but I think both are awesome colors for the car.

Good luck!

Michael