Convertible versus Coupe
#31
Drifting
I always think of the 911 as a convertible and think the cab with the roof up is the coolest look for the 911….hands down!
The 997 to my mind is the best looking cab ever as well….but I am clearly a cab guy and have, almost without exception, owned convertibles my whole life. To me if you have a choice between a closed coupe and a roof down Carrera how could you pick the coupe!
Good Luck with your choice!
Tom
The 997 to my mind is the best looking cab ever as well….but I am clearly a cab guy and have, almost without exception, owned convertibles my whole life. To me if you have a choice between a closed coupe and a roof down Carrera how could you pick the coupe!
Good Luck with your choice!
Tom
#32
Personally, I've owned convertibles before and I love them. I went with a coupe simply because my wife already drives a BMW convertible and I didn't see the need for two. That and coupes were just more common in the used market.
#33
Pro
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Location: PA & FL - '12 Carrera GTS
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The question was about handling and driving experience. In that vein, unless you competitively track the car, you will be hard put to tell the difference. Someone said that Porsche "purposely made the cab 40% less stiff than the coupe". I wonder where this info comes from.
If no tracking, the difference is merely about open air driving.
If no tracking, the difference is merely about open air driving.
#34
Instructor
I love the lines of a coupe never considered a cab but just traded an 05 coupe for a 10 cab. The more I look at the cab the more I like the lines of the top. Hey switch it up, go from cab to coupe to cab. Have fun with it. We're not talking basic transportation here.
#35
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My last 911 was a coupe, but my last Porsche was a 987 boxster. I went with the 997 cab because the benefit of top down for the 4-5 months a year it is possible in Seattle, outweighs the minimal reduction in rigidity. This based on seat of the pants impression versus math. I also believe that the 997 cabs are fairly quiet and comfortable as compared to previous cabs. Mine is a dd also.
#36
If you are going to have a Sports car the top should go down. I have been driving cabs since 1963 and would not have it any other way. Well my Cayenne isn't a cab so I guess I lied.
#37
Here is my summary:
Coupe:
+ marginally better chassis dynamics (I say marginally, because both are fantastic... but the coupe is better)
+ marginally better looks vs. top down cab (subjective) and quite a bit better looks vs. top up cab (I'd nearly call this objective... )
+ better driving visibility
+ lesser sense of speed
+ better overall driving comfort on freeways due to better sound insulation
+ lesser sense of enjoying the exhaust note in other conditions
Cab:
+ better sense of speed
+ excellent visibility top down
+ lesser visibility top up
+ better ability to enjoy exhaust note
I looked at both cabs and coupes. I don't care about what car is considered "girly" or what others think, so it was all personal preference to me.
I live on the east coast. If I was in Cali, maybe I'd lean a bit more towards a cab, though my car visually is exactly what I wanted, so maybe not...
As anyone who isn't really biased one way or the other says, you can't go wrong with either.
Coupe:
+ marginally better chassis dynamics (I say marginally, because both are fantastic... but the coupe is better)
+ marginally better looks vs. top down cab (subjective) and quite a bit better looks vs. top up cab (I'd nearly call this objective... )
+ better driving visibility
+ lesser sense of speed
+ better overall driving comfort on freeways due to better sound insulation
+ lesser sense of enjoying the exhaust note in other conditions
Cab:
+ better sense of speed
+ excellent visibility top down
+ lesser visibility top up
+ better ability to enjoy exhaust note
I looked at both cabs and coupes. I don't care about what car is considered "girly" or what others think, so it was all personal preference to me.
I live on the east coast. If I was in Cali, maybe I'd lean a bit more towards a cab, though my car visually is exactly what I wanted, so maybe not...
As anyone who isn't really biased one way or the other says, you can't go wrong with either.
#38
Speaking from my other car being a 'vert everything said so far is right on. At low speeds you can hear exhaust better. Underpasses and tunnels are fantastic. At high speeds the wind noise takes over and it seems you can hear it less than a coupe thus nullifying the advantage.
Just put that fister on that's gathering dust in your garage if you want the louder sound!
#39
Rocky Mountain High
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Is that such a bad thing?
#40
Drifting
You're either a convertible person or a coupe person. If you have to think about it, then you're not a convertible person. Save the money and buy the coupe.
#41
#42
Thanks. Next time I am in Evergreen I will get in touch. Want to see your ride regardless. Cheers!
#43
This is a silly question. You clearly want a cab so just get one. Way better than coupe; hear the engine more and see all around when driving...wind in your hair if you choose. Personally I wouldn't bother with a coupe because it's my fun car and my truck already has a roof. If you're buying a GT3 there is a very good reason they don't make it in the cabrio flavour.
I even had a gal call me a "lucky fxxker" (in a nice way) at a light when I dropped the top to enjoy the weather.
I even had a gal call me a "lucky fxxker" (in a nice way) at a light when I dropped the top to enjoy the weather.
#45
Burning Brakes
I believe that the 997 was the first 911 engineered as a cab first to ensure rigidity. Rather than taking a coupe and cutting the top off then trying to figure out how to make it stiffer.
Either way - my cab is my fun car and I couldn't imagine not having a convert as a second car.
Either way - my cab is my fun car and I couldn't imagine not having a convert as a second car.