997 cabriolet owners - unusual wear on the top? Noise? Would you buy a cab again?
03-01-2019, 07:01 PM
#16
Racer
Love my cab. There's just something about top down driving that heightens the experience!
As others have commented, the chafing is "normal" ... and by normal I mean common place on all 996 & 997 gen cabs. I found that cleaning the top thoroughly and using a fabric sealer really helped even out the appearance of the fabric. Obviously does nothing to repair the contact marks but does at least help make the dark areas less noticeable. Not sure about that mark above the door though, that I've never seen before.
Oh forgot to add, regarding the actual top mechanism: I did have to repair the hydraulic struts. It's quite common on 996 & 997's that the rod seals fail. Was a simple DIY job and far cheaper to have your set rebuilt & seals upgraded than to buy new from the dealer.
As others have commented, the chafing is "normal" ... and by normal I mean common place on all 996 & 997 gen cabs. I found that cleaning the top thoroughly and using a fabric sealer really helped even out the appearance of the fabric. Obviously does nothing to repair the contact marks but does at least help make the dark areas less noticeable. Not sure about that mark above the door though, that I've never seen before.
Oh forgot to add, regarding the actual top mechanism: I did have to repair the hydraulic struts. It's quite common on 996 & 997's that the rod seals fail. Was a simple DIY job and far cheaper to have your set rebuilt & seals upgraded than to buy new from the dealer.
03-01-2019, 08:01 PM
#17
Instructor
Thread Starter
The mark above the window is normal. My 997 had it when I purchased it a few years back. After some fiddling I realized it is a transfer of adhesive coming from a wiring loom runs inside the top. The wiring loom is shielded with a sticky cloth tape that contacts the top when it is folded down. With time and heat the sticky cloth tape starts to ooze its adhesive and transfers it to the top canvas. With a stiff tooth brush and soaking the area with Goo Gone the mark will almost disappear. But it will come back unless the wiring loom tape is replaced with something else. I have yet to figure that part but cleaning it blac up is easy if done frequently.
Make sure to clean the area well afterwards to remove the Goo Gone. I used the RaggTop cleaner and protectant kit. Good luck.
Make sure to clean the area well afterwards to remove the Goo Gone. I used the RaggTop cleaner and protectant kit. Good luck.
Love my cab. There's just something about top down driving that heightens the experience!
As others have commented, the chafing is "normal" ... and by normal I mean common place on all 996 & 997 gen cabs. I found that cleaning the top thoroughly and using a fabric sealer really helped even out the appearance of the fabric. Obviously does nothing to repair the contact marks but does at least help make the dark areas less noticeable. Not sure about that mark above the door though, that I've never seen before.
Oh forgot to add, regarding the actual top mechanism: I did have to repair the hydraulic struts. It's quite common on 996 & 997's that the rod seals fail. Was a simple DIY job and far cheaper to have your set rebuilt & seals upgraded than to buy new from the dealer.
As others have commented, the chafing is "normal" ... and by normal I mean common place on all 996 & 997 gen cabs. I found that cleaning the top thoroughly and using a fabric sealer really helped even out the appearance of the fabric. Obviously does nothing to repair the contact marks but does at least help make the dark areas less noticeable. Not sure about that mark above the door though, that I've never seen before.
Oh forgot to add, regarding the actual top mechanism: I did have to repair the hydraulic struts. It's quite common on 996 & 997's that the rod seals fail. Was a simple DIY job and far cheaper to have your set rebuilt & seals upgraded than to buy new from the dealer.
Although I feel like the lines of the coupe are better, as far as convertibles go, the 997+ 911's are about as pure as any. Thanks for all the responses - getting first-hand info has been great.
03-01-2019, 08:08 PM
#18
Rennlist Member
Yesterday my 1988 911 Grand Prix White, Marina Blue full leather Cab was the only aircooled cab at Sierra Madre Collection open house. Shoutout to SMC. Great event.
Love coupes but a nice cab in the fleet always brings a smile to me and to many others in socal. If I could only have one it would be a coupe though.
Never had a chicks car comment in this ride. My wifes Boxster yes. The Hairdresser comment nearly landed me in jail more than once. Had to sell the car!
Last edited by 996AE; 03-02-2019 at 01:13 PM. Reason: spelling
03-01-2019, 10:34 PM
#19
I wear pants in my Cab, 'cause it's the law. Unfortunately.
Sorry about your junk...Bro.
03-02-2019, 12:33 PM
#20
Rennlist Member
How About Considering a Targa?
I’ve been a life-long cab driver (my first car was a 1958 MGA roadster), and have absolutely LOVED my 997.2 4S Cab since I bought it in 2013. But I have to admit that I’ve been looking at swapping out to a newer 911 and am intrigued by the 991.2 Targa 4 GTS.... Has anyone here had any ownership experience with 991-series Targas? While’s it’s not definitely NOT the full cabriolet experience, the Targa does tick the boxes for an open-top driving experience and does avoid the wrinkly-roof issues that all of our convertible tops suffer .... Thoughts?
03-02-2019, 01:10 PM
#21
Burning Brakes
I owned a T-top Firebird TransAm, which felt a lot like the Targa I sat in a few months ago. It feels like what it is, better than a full top but not as good as a convertible.
03-02-2019, 03:48 PM
#22
Instructor
Thread Starter
I’ve been a life-long cab driver (my first car was a 1958 MGA roadster), and have absolutely LOVED my 997.2 4S Cab since I bought it in 2013. But I have to admit that I’ve been looking at swapping out to a newer 911 and am intrigued by the 991.2 Targa 4 GTS.... Has anyone here had any ownership experience with 991-series Targas? While’s it’s not definitely NOT the full cabriolet experience, the Targa does tick the boxes for an open-top driving experience and does avoid the wrinkly-roof issues that all of our convertible tops suffer .... Thoughts?
03-02-2019, 05:10 PM
#23
Rennlist Member
IIRC, the reviews of the 991 Targa were good. The writers generally carped about wind noise
with the roof open and weight. I have seen them at the local dealership. They are beautiful.
If I could afford one, I'd love a Targa GTS in a bright color+ ceramic brakes.
with the roof open and weight. I have seen them at the local dealership. They are beautiful.
If I could afford one, I'd love a Targa GTS in a bright color+ ceramic brakes.
03-02-2019, 05:45 PM
#24
Drifting
I haven’t warmed to the new targas. I can’t see spending extra money for all the complexity of a convertible with only half of the open air experience. Plus, they’re more windy than a cab, or so I’ve read in the magazines.
I also think the the lines are off—they look a little ungainly to me.
I also think the the lines are off—they look a little ungainly to me.
03-03-2019, 10:42 AM
#25
2nd Gear
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Guys, these responses have been fantastic, thank you for taking the time.
I don't think the "tear"/repair/light spot is a dollop of grease as it didn't rub off, feels like someone used an epoxy/heat/etc to seal it.
Knowing that there are people out there using the top a ton and some best practices is a huge help. I feel the same way about convertibles in San Diego - why not, when there's so few downsides?
Last question, what does a new top cost? Is it possible to find these used or aftermarket, or is new OEM the only real option?
I don't think the "tear"/repair/light spot is a dollop of grease as it didn't rub off, feels like someone used an epoxy/heat/etc to seal it.
Knowing that there are people out there using the top a ton and some best practices is a huge help. I feel the same way about convertibles in San Diego - why not, when there's so few downsides?
Last question, what does a new top cost? Is it possible to find these used or aftermarket, or is new OEM the only real option?
We're looking at an 07 Cab. The top has the typical wear marks. I'd like to know what it would cost to replace a convertible top before we make the purchase.
Thanks in advance!
03-03-2019, 11:04 AM
#26
For the 997.1 you can order a top on line and get it installed through autotops direct. The top is $600 and about 10 hours of labor for install. So looking in the $2-3,000 range. For some reason some sites stop at 2008, some have a different top for 09-12, and some use the same top.
Mine has the wear marks but no leaks and has not gotten worse so I left it alone, but last spring I did a bunch of research so my prices may be a little off.
Mine has the wear marks but no leaks and has not gotten worse so I left it alone, but last spring I did a bunch of research so my prices may be a little off.
03-03-2019, 02:49 PM
#28
Rennlist Member
Hi, again, I remember having seen an installment of "Chasing Classic Cars" where
a new top had to be made for a classic car and Wayne Carini went to a place
in my old hometown, Montclair, NJ. Here is the URL of the place:"
https://www.convertibletopguys.com/convertible/1895/2002-2012-Porsche-911-996-997-Carrera4-S-4S-Turbo-amp;-Turbo-S-Cabrios"
a new top had to be made for a classic car and Wayne Carini went to a place
in my old hometown, Montclair, NJ. Here is the URL of the place:"
https://www.convertibletopguys.com/convertible/1895/2002-2012-Porsche-911-996-997-Carrera4-S-4S-Turbo-amp;-Turbo-S-Cabrios"
03-03-2019, 07:39 PM
#30
Advanced
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Can you have the top replaced, are there companies replacing them? If I would go cab, I think the red top on black car would look good.
Last edited by bangsters; 03-03-2019 at 08:27 PM.