patriot993

For decades, wanted a dark blue Targa with tan interior. I finally fulfilled that dream in 2015 with the purchase of my 2007.

I absolutely love the car...and the Targa top is exactly what I expected...essentially in between a coupe and a convertible. I basically can drive with the top 'down' all the time...but if I need to close it at 70 mph I can do so.

But with that said, it isn't the same as a true convertible. And mine has the 3.6 engine and with all of the extra weight of that top, the performance of the car is impacted. As I tell my friends, I have the slowest 911 you can buy.

So I am planning at some point in the next few years (I hope...since it took me 20+ years to get the Targa who knows) to get a 997.1 Cab. I would love to get a Turbo, and the nostalgia of having Mezger engine is a plus...but unfortunately I don't have unlimited funds. Which makes me think getting a non-Turbo 997.2 cab that I further down the road upgrade the engine to a 4.0 might be a smart choice.

I know that I will probably get a million different opinions, but want to make sure I am not missing an option or not thinking things through. Bottom line want:

1. Convertible
2. very good to fantastic performance
3. Want to stay with 997
4. No plans to track the car
5. This car would be in addition to my 997.1 Targa

Insights appreciated!

Jack667

I've had 3 porsches: 1990 C4 cab, 1988 944 track car, and current 997.1 C2S. Personally, I think of the 911 turbo and GT3 as icons that I lust after. Turbo cab would be the best non-track car imho. 997.2 is great - don't get me wrong, but if I had to choose, I'd go TT in a heartbeat.
I'm not really up to speed on issues with 997.1TT, if any. I know 997.2 is pretty rock solid. Also, I think the cab is better in the .2 (?) and even more so in the 991. So - keep in mind that I'm not really commenting on all that.
But - put a bit of a tune in the TT and - wow! Not sure if you're the modding type but you'll get way more bang for your buck with the TT if you're into that...

Dennis C

I had a 997.1 TT cabriolet until this year. Fantastic car! Do it!

patriot993

Thanks Jack and Dennis for the insights.

My heart is really telling me the 997.1 TT; but my head wonders if a 997.2 Cab that I would eventually modify with a bigger engine (similar to what Vern1 and SneakyPete have done) might not be a more cost effective solution. Jack, to your question about modding, I don't see myself doing too many mods. I did put Fisters on the Targa and will install the Fabspeed CAI that I bought recently but those are about the extent of the types of modifications I would make.

I should probably do some more research on the prices of each option...maybe my heart and head will become aligned ;-)

caymannyc

I know this is not what you are looking for, but I really think you should give a long hard look at a 981 Boxster or 987 Spyder. I used to own a 997 Turbo (non-cab) and I personally think a Turbo cab is just so counter-intuitive

patriot993

I can see your point, but cars have to make an emotional connection with me. Are 981s and 987s incredible cars...yep...but they do nothing for me emotionally. I can't explain it.

Dennis C

When I first stated shopping for a replacement for my 996 C4S, I was looking for another coupe. The last convertible that I owned prior to the 997 was a 1979 Alfa Romeo Spider. I stumbled across a 997.1 TT that had everything that I wanted, except it was a cabriolet. My wife suggested that I drive it, and so I did. Once I drove it, I was sold. I love driving a 911 cabriolet. I'm now on my second 911 cabriolet!

I live at almost 8,000 feet of altitude, so a turbo car makes sense to me. If I still lived in Indiana or Texas, then I would probably buy another C4S. That being said, the 997.1 TT is special because of the Mezger engine and the fact that it's the last 911 turbo to be offered with a 6MT.

Good luck with your search. Shopping for a 911 is fun....

patriot993

Thanks Dennis for the additional info.

You are right, the shopping (and dreaming) is a big part of the fun. Was looking just now on cars.com and there is a midnight blue / sand beige turbo...I love that color combo but probably silly to have the same combo as my Targa.

I don't want a black or grey interior. Would prefer not to have a black exterior either. A white 997.1 TT with cocoa interior would i think be my top choice..though I bet they are pretty rare. [edit = found this! https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/d...951/overview/]

I will keep on shopping.

Happy Holidays