This looks look a possibility for ~30k - has anyone already taken a look (it's in Houston)?
2002 Porsche 911 Carrera 4

 

What is going to be the primary use for the car...daily driver or weekend cruiser?
Whose car will it be? yours, hers, or shared (from a "who will drive it the most" driving stand point)
Why not just ask her which she would prefer? Coupe or Cab. Ask her to give the reasons for and against her particular preference.

There are a few guys on this Forum that bought a 996 with a Tip tranny because their wife could not drive a stick. Almost all of them reported back later that their wife didn't like driving the car after trying it a couple of times. One guy's wife doesn't even like riding in his car because it is too low and the ride is too stiff. All of them ended up with a Tip, which they never wanted in the first place. While you may not be considering a Tip (and I don't think you are) this is just an example of compromises that were made that went totally wrong.

If she is going to be an occasional driver of the car and you will be the primary driver, then your preference should be weighted much more heavily. You mentioned in an earlier post the she would probably not be driving the 996 much, so I think you need to get what you think is best. But ask her opinion and consider it in your decision making process.

Then go out and buy the coupe!

 

That valuation is just depressing me. BTW that's not a Carrera 4, it's a regular RWD Carrera. The trunk is wrong. A C4 has collapsible spare that is hidden under the floor panel and a dome to access the FWD. Like this

 

Good catch. It also has black brake calipers; C4's have silver calipers.

 

Funny, my wife always wanted me to buy a coupe. Boy, am I glad I bought
cabs, love the feeling of wind hitting my bald head. Of course when it's in the 60's I have to wear a baseball cap and if the temperature dips into the 50's than I put on a ski hat? I am not sure what it's called; what do you expect from a warm climate person.

 

ZR, until you go test drive a few cars ANYTHING is a "possibility"...at this point you're pissin' in the wind! Until you get behind the wheel of a few different cars, you won't have a clue - aesthetics aside.

Where are you in Austin? Have you checked out Beasley? They've got a sweet '04 C4S Cab with hard top..it's listed at the high end of your budget, but I guarantee they're all over trying to make a deal this time of year. If you're a serious buyer with funds at the ready, this is an awesome market for you. FWIW, I picked up my C4S in Austin at the right time (this time of year) - I immediately had them coming $5k off price over the phone from Dallas.

Did the cab you saw in Dallas sell? If you need some eyes in this area, let me know...

 

zroadhouse - what do you want? Is the wife really going to drive it, or mostly be a passenger?

I second the statement of taking a few for test drives; get some seat time; see what the car tells you.

russo - a tuque, or toboggan [has been used to reference a sled or hat]

 

Coupe.

 

Im debating the same thing... so far the coupe is slightly ahead b/c the pcar will be parked outdoors and a cab is "safer". Also, never had a convertible and Im not sure how much Ill get to use it in NYC.

 

TIM...you are an evil man!!! And my newyears resolution for 2009: NO MERCY!!
Lucky for you it is still 2008!!

HAPPY NEWYEAR....hope that it is going to be better than 2008

 

Cab or coupe? Well, let's see...this should be a pretty easy one...

Would you like to be able to drive the car without a roof? If yes, get a cab. If no, get a coupe.

Geez, simple as that.

 

I had a similar dilemma and compromised on a Targa...

Just throwing another spanner in the works!

 

Cab

 

Cab!

 

CAB